Toyota BZ Time Attack and Hyundai Ioniq 9 Off-Road Concept Are EV Stars of SEMA 2025

The 2025 SEMA Show will take place from Tuesday, November 4 through Friday, November 7, 2025, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Every year, more and more EVs are displayed at SEMA, which is proof of how fast EVs are not only taking over all other sectors of the automotive industry, but motorsports and customization as well. The future of sports cars and racing is quiet, faster, and electric.

Last week, Toyota made headlines ahead of the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, opening tomorrow, by unveiling its first all-electric concept for the event, the bZ Time Attack. Known for its creative engine swaps and performance builds, Toyota has often used SEMA to flex its engineering muscle. In previous years during our dirty gas engine past, the automaker wowed enthusiasts with projects like a turbocharged V-6 swapped into a vintage Land Cruiser, a GR86 fitted with the GR Corolla’s all-wheel-drive turbo-three setup, and the wild FJ Bruiser, which packed a NASCAR V-8 into an old FJ45. But this year, Toyota is taking a different path, turning its attention to our electrified motorsport future with a fully functional EV prototype.

Rather than being a static showpiece, the bZ Time Attack is a rolling test bed for the next generation of electric motorsport development, according to Toyota. The car is based on the upcoming 2026 bZ model, which in standard all-wheel-drive form produces 338 horsepower and hits 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. Engineers have pushed things further by tuning the electric motors to produce over 400 horsepower through a bespoke ECU program, likely cutting the 0 to 60 time closer to four seconds flat.

To handle the extra power, Toyota overhauled the suspension with Tein coil-overs and springs and upgraded the brakes with Alcon hardware and Hawk pads, components inspired by the GR86 Cup and GR Corolla TC race cars. The car also gets a full widebody kit with 3D-printed arches, a massive rear wing, a front splitter, and a deep rear diffuser. With a six-inch wider track and six-inch lower stance, the Time Attack has the presence to match its performance ambitions.

The setup rides on 19-inch BBS Unlimited wheels wrapped in 305/30 Continental Extreme Contact Sport 02 tires, ensuring serious grip for track duty. Inside, Toyota stripped the interior bare and fitted FIA-spec safety gear, including a roll cage and OMP racing seats with harnesses.

While a production version is unlikely, the bZ Time Attack shows that Toyota’s EV ambitions go well beyond efficiency. This concept signals a future where the brand’s electric cars aren’t just clean, they’re faster than gas, thrilling, and track-ready.

Hyundai Goes BigTime with IONIQ 9 Off-Road SUV Concept at 2025 SEMA Show

Hyundai unveiled the first photos of its IONIQ 9 off-road SEMA concept, an all-electric SUV developed in collaboration with Jeremiah Burton and Zach Jobe, the creative minds behind BigTime™. The concept will be showcased in SEMA’s Future Tech Studio, a dedicated section in the Central Hall highlighting electric vehicles and groundbreaking automotive innovations.

The IONIQ 9 BigTime concept features a lifted suspension, unique wheels, and aggressive all-terrain tires designed for maximum traction and durability. A custom auxiliary light bar adds to its rugged, adventure-ready personality, giving the SUV a commanding off-road presence.

“Hyundai is more than proud to present the innovative IONIQ 9 off-road concept developed by BigTime at the 2025 SEMA show,” said Sean Gilpin, Chief Marketing Officer, Hyundai Motor North America. “Its aggressive lift, all-terrain tires and rugged off-road design inspire both innovation and customization — the hallmarks of any successful SEMA concept. This concept takes IONIQ 9 into new off-road terrain it has yet to explore, and we’re confident it’s more than up for the adventure.”

BigTime, the content venture led by Burton and Jobe, has earned a reputation for blending creativity, technical expertise, and entertainment in the automotive space. Known for their ability to reimagine everyday vehicles in bold new ways, the duo brings their signature style to Hyundai’s electric SUV, expanding its appeal to both enthusiasts and casual fans.

Jeremiah and Zach are familiar faces at SEMA, where their approachable and engaging content style continues to inspire a new generation of car builders and EV fans. Their collaboration with Hyundai reflects a shared goal of making vehicle modification simple, rewarding, and inclusive.

“We’re stoked to be working with Hyundai on the IONIQ 9. EVs have come a long way, so getting a chance to put our own spin on an off-road-themed IONIQ 9 is pretty cool,” said Jeremiah Burton, Chief Executive Officer at BigTime. “We believe all cars are cool, no matter what you drive. And bringing some elements from the off-road scene to the EV scene can hopefully inspire some future off-roaders.”

“We themed this IONIQ 9 off of our 1977 vintage cabover we call “Bud”. This new-tech-meets-vintage look makes the car stand out, and with some performance mods, make it a capable off-roader. It’s exciting to be part of this new chapter where electric cars can be fun and functional but still have character.”

The IONIQ 9 BigTime concept will also take center stage across BigTime’s digital platforms, including Instagram, where fans can follow detailed build stories and exclusive behind-the-scenes coverage of the project.

EVs Growing Fast at the SEMA Show

Every year, more and more EVs show up at SEMA, as a testament to the incredibly fast growth of EVs in the US and around the world. Electrified vehicles now make up 43% of global auto sales as of Q1 2025, up from just 9% in 2019.

The 2025 SEMA Show will take place from Tuesday, November 4 through Friday, November 7, 2025, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The convention center is located at 3150 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89109. Show hours for industry attendees run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday, the event’s closing day.

The SEMA Show is organized by the Specialty Equipment Market Association and is one of the largest annual trade events for the automotive aftermarket industry. It brings together thousands of exhibitors to showcase new products, tools, custom builds, and performance parts. The event also features educational seminars, professional workshops, and technology showcases that highlight the latest trends in automotive design, modification, and innovation.

The 2025 show is being promoted as “The Center of the Automotive Universe Returns,” underscoring its importance as a global gathering for business networking, innovation, and collaboration across the automotive sector. SEMA 2025 will include a mix of product launches, high-profile vehicle displays, and emerging technologies across every segment, from performance and off-road to EVs and sustainable materials.

Attendance at the SEMA Show is primarily limited to trade professionals including manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and media representatives. Industry credentials are required for entry on Tuesday through Thursday. On Friday, November 7, the show will open to the general public with a special “SEMA Show Friday” ticket that provides access to the show floor.

Running alongside the main event is SEMA Fest 2025, a public festival that celebrates car culture with live music, food, and entertainment. The festival will take place on the evening of Friday, November 7, giving fans a chance to experience both the show floor during the day and the concert-style celebration that follows.

For attendees, early registration is recommended to secure badges and discounted hotel rates through the show’s official provider. The Las Vegas Convention Center will again host a massive exhibition floor filled with product innovations and concept vehicles that set the tone for the aftermarket industry each year. Whether you are an industry insider or a car enthusiast attending on public day, the 2025 SEMA Show will offer a unique glimpse into the future of automotive performance, customization, and technology.

EVinfo.net’s Take: Don’t Miss Autobody News at SEMA. EVinfo.net Serves the EV Industry With Valuable Marketing

Today, I’m known as Publisher of EVinfo.net, where I write about the exciting, fast-growing electric vehicle (EV) industry. EVinfo.net offers a variety of compelling and impactful marketing services for all companies and organizations involved in the EV industry.

Part of my over twenty years of marketing experience was at leading automotive collision repair magazine Autobody News (ABN), as Digital Marketing Manager from 2017 to 2020.

Attending SEMA as a member of the ABN team was really fun. Since my first attendance at SEMA, iv’e watched the event integrate more and more exciting electric builds and EV products every year. This is proof of how fast EVs are not only taking over all other sectors of the automotive industry, but motorsports and customization as well. Don’t miss ABN’s booth this year at SEMA.

Barbara Davies (Former Co-Owner/General Manager, Autobody News, said: “Bill Pierce worked for Autobody News as our digital marketing manager for two-and-a-half years. Bill was instrumental in growing our digital offerings for our advertising clients as well as our Autobody News brand. Bill handled all our eNews and Facebook posts on a weekly basis. He set up systems for the design and implementation of all our digital advertising and worked directly with our sales team and advertising clients to ensure we created best in class campaigns with follow-up reporting. He communicated well with our 3rd party support vendors (website developer and ad serving company). Our website traffic increased substantially during his years of oversight. Bill was a reliable employee, easy to work with and was an integral part of the success of our company over the past two-and-a-half years. We will miss him!”

As digital marketing manager for Autobody News (2017-2020), I was tasked with growing the company’s FaceBook account. I leveraged ABN’s team to gain over 10,000 high-quality FaceBook followers (body shop employees, owners, and managers).

Autobody News’ vibrant, very active FB page still held an impressive lead in followers (22K) over its top competitors, FenderBender (12K) and BodyShop Business (13K), in January 2024. ABN’s competitors are much larger companies with significantly higher marketing budgets. Yet, ABN is beating them on an important social media channel. My methods for dramatically increasing followers and engagement for FB are nearly identical to those I use for LinkedIn.

Today, I offer a 30-minute meeting to show you how to leverage your LinkedIn account, regardless of your industry, for maximum business growth and quickly grow followers. The meeting also includes advice on how to quickly grow website traffic.