At the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Toyota has taken a bold step into electric motorsport with the debut of the Toyota bZ Time Attack Concept. This one-off, all-electric AWD prototype marks Toyota’s first battery-electric SEMA concept, designed to explore the full potential of BEV performance in competitive settings like time attack and hill climb racing.
Electric Performance Pushed to the Limit
Built on the upcoming 2026 bZ AWD platform, the bZ Time Attack Concept delivers over 300 kW, equivalent to more than 400 horsepower, to all four wheels. The electric motors are tuned by Toyota R&D and paired with a bespoke ECU calibration for instant, high-output response. This setup enables the concept to far surpass the production model’s already-quick 0–60 mph time of 4.9 seconds, targeting serious circuit capability.
Supporting this powertrain is a chassis prepared for track duty. The car rides on TEIN coilovers and springs, with Alcon brakes and Hawk pads adapted from Toyota’s 86 Cup and Corolla TC race programs. To ensure safety and rigidity, the cabin is reinforced with a full FIA-spec 4130 chromoly roll cage, complemented by OMP racing seats and harnesses.
Advanced Aerodynamics and Fabrication
The bZ Time Attack Concept’s design emphasizes aerodynamic precision and lightweight construction. A fully integrated widebody kit and aero package, featuring an aggressive rear wing, front splitter, side skirts, and rear diffuser, lower the car six inches from stock ride height while increasing track width by the same amount. These elements combine to generate substantial downforce and improved airflow management.
Every major body component was developed using a hybrid manufacturing process that blends 3D printing, laser scanning, and CAD modeling. Fender arches were printed full-scale and hand-finished for structural strength, demonstrating Toyota’s growing commitment to additive manufacturing. The process, led by Toyota’s Add Lab in Georgetown, Kentucky, allowed for rapid prototyping and shortened development cycles.
Engineering Collaboration and Craftsmanship
The build was led by Marty Schwerter and the Toyota Motorsports Garage team, who have produced standout SEMA projects for more than two decades. According to Schwerter, the challenge with the bZ Time Attack Concept was finding the right balance between battery performance, weight distribution, and aerodynamic stability. The team collaborated with Toyota R&D, TRD, and key suppliers like Dark Matter Laser Works to achieve a result that merges high technology with traditional race-car craftsmanship.
The bodywork’s finish, a custom tri-color PPG scheme combining metallic white, black, and red, reflects Toyota’s racing identity while underscoring the fusion of innovation and heritage. The concept rides on 19×11-inch BBS Unlimited wheels wrapped in 305/30ZR19 Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02 tires, adding immense grip to match the high-downforce chassis.
Power, Precision, and Potential
Beyond its 400+ horsepower output, the bZ Time Attack Concept serves as a proof of concept for Toyota’s electrified performance future. It’s a rolling laboratory where engineers can test the boundaries of BEV dynamics, energy management, and aerodynamics in motorsport environments. Every component, from the ECU to the coilovers, was developed with real-world competition in mind.
A Glimpse Into Toyota’s Electric Motorsport Future
For Toyota, the bZ Time Attack Concept represents a new era of innovation. It proves that electric vehicles can embody the same driving excitement and engineering depth as traditional performance cars. As Toyota prepares to expand its BEV lineup in 2026 with new models like the bZ Woodland and C-HR, this concept underscores the company’s long-term vision for electrified speed and capability.
Visitors to the 2025 SEMA Show can experience the bZ Time Attack Concept firsthand at Toyota’s Central Hall display (Booth 22200), where it stands as a centerpiece of the brand’s “Powered by Possibility” theme, a celebration of innovation across all powertrain technologies.
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Source: Toyota
