When attending the SEMA show, you expect to see Hummers with big wheels, muscle cars with 1000-plus horsepower and cars with audio system so outrageous that the car can't even be driven. What you wouldn't expect to see are cars from a Swedish brand known for automotive safety.

But over the last few years, that has changed as Volvo continues to grow its presence at this show in Las Vegas. Set up on the end of the Ford stand (Volvo is owned by Ford Motor Company), the Swedes brought five vehicles to this year's show.

Heico Concepts

This is the second year that Heico has worked with Volvo to bring a concept car to the SEMA show. Last year the German tuning company created a unique C30 with a snow-sports theme.

Leading the charge from Heico is the S80 T6 High Performance Concept (HPC). With an attention-getting 7-layer "aluminum effect" paint color, the HPC is designed to provide great performance while being kind to the environment.

Heico took the standard Volvo T6 engine and via engine software, a new intercooler and a stainless steel racing exhaust system bumped the car up to 350 horsepower with 405 lb-ft of torque. The engine was also modified to run on E85 fuel.

Making full use of the increased power is Volvo's well-known Haldex All-Wheel-Drive system with Instant Traction. While the Haldex system helps the S80 HPC get moving quickly, stopping quickly is done with 6-piston braking system with custom blue-painted calipers and high-performance brake pads.

"Heico Sportiv is honored to once again be working with Volvo Cars to build the exciting S80 T6 HPC for this year's SEMA show," said Holger Hedtke, president of Heico. "The S80 T6 HPC is really where we put all our efforts this year," continued Hedtke, "It is our most advance concept to date and it's one that Heico is extremely proud of."

Joining the S80 HPC is the Heico C30. Painted in an orange surfing pattern, the scheme gives the appearance of sand being sprayed from the front wheels. Fender flares are wider with lower side skirts and a quad exhaust system adds to the sporty styling. Its looks is taken even further when the lowered chassis is combined with the 19-inch five-spoke light alloy VOLUTION® V TITAN wheels.

Of course, Heico wouldn't just alter the exterior without modifying the engine. In this case, the stock 2.5-liter turbocharged 5-cylinder engine has been upgraded to put out 300 horsepower.

Caresto V8 Speedster and C70

After debuting last year, the light blue Caresto V8 Speedster returns to SEMA but this time it's accompanied by a special C70. Both vehicles were created by specialist car builder and customizer Leif Tufvesson.

The Caresto Edition C70 features more aggressive styling, a lowered chassis, 20-spoke aluminum wheels, large exhaust outlets and Caresto Blue Pearl paint to match the V8 Speedster.

"I have used a lot of the same color combinations and design cues to make the C70 an attractive cousin to the Speedster. The C70 has been exhibited at a Swedish show and it was a great success," says Leif Tufvesson.

Also on display was a special XC70 Surf Rescue concept, which features special graphics, oversized tires and an interior designed for wet and sandy passengers as well as all equipment needed for the beach lifeguards.