4 Minutes
Toyota's all-electric bZ Time Attack aims for SEMA spotlight
Toyota is bringing a bold, motorsport-focused battery-electric crossover to the 2025 SEMA Show: the bZ Time Attack AWD concept. Built from the refreshed 2026 bZ platform, this compact electric SUV is a deliberate statement that Toyota is serious about translating BEV tech into track-capable performance.
The car was developed by Toyota Motorsports Garage and the Motorsports Technical Center under Marty Schwerter, and it reads like a racer’s checklist: widebody stance, aggressive aero, race-spec suspension, and a strengthened cabin. Toyota calls it its first battery-electric SEMA concept with full motorsports engineering—a clear pivot from show-car styling toward functional performance upgrades.
Design and aero: form follows performance
Visually the bZ Time Attack is striking: a carbon-fiber body dressed in white, black and crimson, a deep front splitter, side skirts, pronounced rear diffuser and a massive rear wing. To make room for the wider aero package, the concept sits six inches lower than the production bZ and gains a six-inch wider track. The result is a compact crossover that looks and behaves more like a purpose-built time attack racer than a street SUV.
Under the skin: power, brakes and chassis
Toyota R&D tuned the electric motors to produce more than 300 kW—putting output comfortably above 400 horsepower. That’s a substantial jump over the stock AWD bZ, which in its refreshed 2026 form offers a combined 338 hp and a factory 0–60 mph time near 4.9 seconds. With the Time Attack’s lighter carbon body and race-focused tuning, straight-line and circuit performance are the clear targets.
Stopping and handling were upgraded with proven motorsport components:
- TEIN coilovers and springs for adjustable, race-capable damping
- Alcon braking hardware with Hawk race pads adapted from Toyota’s 86 Cup and Corolla TC programs
- A six-inch wider track and lowered ride height for improved cornering
Inside, the cabin is stripped and purpose-built: a full FIA-spec 4130 chromoly roll cage, OMP HTE-R racing seats and harnesses, and minimalist trim focused on safety and driver feedback.
Why this matters
The bZ Time Attack concept shows Toyota blending its aftermarket and motorsports pedigree with electrification. SEMA is traditionally the aftermarket’s global stage—bringing a battery-electric, all-wheel-drive time attack machine signals how performance tuning will evolve around BEVs. For tuners and racing teams, the concept suggests a future where electric motors, battery management and bespoke aero form the new performance toolkit.
Quote from the build team: “We wanted to demonstrate that BEV platforms can deliver real motorsports excitement when engineered from both a performance and safety perspective,” said a lead builder involved in the project.
Quick highlights
- Platform: 2026 Toyota bZ mid-cycle refresh (AWD base)
- Power: Toyota R&D-tuned motors, 300+ kW (400+ hp)
- Chassis: lowered 6 inches, +6-inch track, TEIN suspension
- Brakes: Alcon system with Hawk pads
- Safety: FIA-spec 4130 chromoly cage, OMP seats and harnesses
What to expect at SEMA 2025
Toyota will showcase several high-profile builds in Las Vegas, and the bZ Time Attack will likely be among the most talked-about: not just a showpiece but a preview of how aftermarket and motorsport communities might approach electric performance. Whether future customer or track-ready variants follow will be a key storyline for both Toyota and the wider tuning scene.
For enthusiasts, the bZ Time Attack is a clear sign that electric performance is entering a hands-on, tunable era—one where weight, aerodynamics, thermal management and real-world handling determine the next generation of high-performance builds.
Source: autoevolution
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