Toyota bZ Time Attack Concept Whirrs and Clicks into SEMA: 400+ HP EV is a Stripped-Out Race Test Bed
Toyota is debuting its first-ever battery-electric SEMA concept, the bZ Time Attack Concept, a radically modified track version of the 2026 bZ crossover. The build is a serious, purpose-built machine engineered for time attack circuits and hill climbs. The concept features electric motors tuned for “400+ hp” (up from the stock AWD model’s 338 hp), a six-inch track increase, and a six-inch drop in ride height. Toyota emphasizes that this is not just a show car, but a “rolling test bed for the next generation of EV motorsport development,” demonstrating the high performance potential within its BEV platforms.
Engineering for Electric Motorsport
The bZ Time Attack Concept is a showcase of hybrid manufacturing and race-proven component adaptation, designed for optimal performance on the circuit.
- Performance Boost: The stock 2026 bZ AWD platform (which produces 338 hp) was enhanced through bespoke ECU calibration and Toyota R&D-tuned electric motors to deliver over 400 horsepower (300 kW).
- Chassis Stiffening: The interior was stripped down to the body-in-white, and a full FIA-spec 4130 chromoly roll cage was welded in to significantly stiffen the chassis for competition.
- Handling and Brakes: Features performance suspension including TEIN coilovers and springs, and an Alcon braking system with Hawk pads adapted from Toyota’s 86 Cup and Corolla TC race programs.
- Extreme Aero and Grip: The car sits six inches lower and its track is six inches wider than stock. It sports a fully integrated aero package, including a rear wing, front splitter, and rear diffuser, mounted over 19×11-inch BBS Unlimited wheels wrapped in massive 305/30ZR19 XL Continental Extreme Contact Sport 02 tires.
Advanced Fabrication and Future Outlook
The build process itself highlights Toyota’s innovative approach to design and manufacturing.
- Hybrid Manufacturing: The construction involved a hybrid approach, combining laser scanning, CAD modeling at Dark Matter Laser Works, and 3D-printed components produced by Toyota’s own Add Lab. This blend of additive manufacturing and traditional race-car craftsmanship demonstrates Toyota’s willingness to “explore, learn, and create” within its BEV platforms.
- Interior: The cabin features OMP HTE-R racing seats and OMP harnesses to complete the racing setup.
- Future Intent: While production is vague—a “definite maybe”—the concept’s mission is clear: it serves as a “rolling test bed” to test the boundaries of EV dynamics, aerodynamics, and energy management for the next generation of electric motorsport.
Final Thoughts
The Toyota bZ Time Attack Concept is a spectacular display of what happens when Toyota’s engineering grit is applied to an electric platform. Transforming a practical crossover into a 400+ hp, aggressively lowered track weapon proves that the brand sees a future for excitement in its electric lineup. As Toyota continues to expand its BEV offerings (like the bZ Woodland and C-HR), the lessons learned from this SEMA concept will be invaluable for trickling down performance and technology to future, driver-focused electric vehicles.
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