Automotive
Hyundai is leaning into the off-road wave at SEMA with help from YouTube duo BigTime, and the result’s a three-row EV that appears able to chase sunset trails. The Ioniq 9 BigTime concept starts life as a Calligraphy trim and trades its city slicker posture for taller suspension, chunky tires, and a dose of Seventies style that feels equal parts campsite and automobile show.
If the names Jeremiah Burton and Zach Jobe ring a bell, it’s since the pair built a following wrenching on ambitious projects and telling the story with a combination of curiosity and good humor. Teaming with Hyundai, they aimed to offer the brand’s flagship EV just a little dirt cred without losing the clean design that makes the Ioniq 9 stand out on the highway.
Under the arches sit knobby BFGoodrich all-terrain tires mounted to white OZ Racing wheels. It is a straightforward change that transforms the stance and signals intent before the sunshine bar even flickers on. The lifted setup appears generous enough to clear ruts that may otherwise threaten the 6.9 inches of stock ground clearance, and the white wheels lend the large Hyundai an unexpected rally vibe.
Powertrain hardware stays true to the Calligraphy spec, which suggests a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup with 422 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. The Ioniq 9 is a quiet rocket in factory form, and here the additional ride height and tire sidewall should help it absorb washboard roads without rattling teeth. Anyone aware of EVs on rough terrain will appreciate how easy torque and one-pedal control could make threading through rocks feel almost serene.
The aesthetic is where BigTime’s personality shines. The brown and tan wrap channels late 70s cool with period-perfect warmth, punctuated by a daring Hyundai wordmark on the hood and bubbly BigTime graphics along the flanks. That color combo was inspired by a 1977 Kenworth cabover the pair picked up for the channel, and it brings simply enough nostalgia to offset the trendy edges of the Ioniq 9’s design.
Up top, a roof-mounted light bar guarantees to show night runs into daylight. The remainder is pleasingly restrained. No roof tents or ladder racks. No faux beadlocks. This construct keeps the give attention to the essentials and lets the form of the Ioniq 9 do many of the talking.
Will Hyundai spin this exact spec right into a dealer option? Unlikely. What feels more plausible is a catalog of tasteful accessories and a wink toward owners who wish to explore forest roads without getting into a full overland conversion. The Ioniq 9 already leans premium, with the Calligraphy trim starting at $76,590, and this idea shows how a number of smart changes can broaden its playground without muddying the mission.
As SEMA one-offs go, the Ioniq 9 BigTime strikes a pleasant balance. It looks fun, it adds capability where it counts, and it respects the EV’s upscale bones. If Hyundai’s goal was to point out how its biggest electric SUV can wear climbing boots, consider the purpose made.
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Darryl Taylor Dowe is a seasoned automotive skilled with a proven track record of leading successful ventures and providing strategic consultation across the automotive industry. With years of hands-on experience in each business operations and market development, Darryl has played a key role in helping automotive brands grow and adapt in a rapidly evolving landscape. His insight and leadership have earned him recognition as a trusted expert, and his contributions to Automotive Addicts reflect his deep knowledge and fervour for the business side of the automobile world.
This Article First Appeared At www.automotiveaddicts.com
