HYUNDAI AND BIGTIME BUILD THE IONIQ 9 OFF-ROAD CONCEPT - WE'RE DIGGING THE RETRO VIBES.
Hyundai’s rolling into SEMA 2025 with something bold, boxy, and brilliantly unexpected - the IONIQ 9 BigTime Off-Road Concept, a lifted, all-electric SUV with a splash of vintage style and a whole lot of attitude. Created in collaboration with Jeremiah Burton and Zach Jobe from BigTime™, this concept brings an off-road spirit to Hyundai’s flagship EV while throwing a nod to classic cabover rigs of the ’70s. It’s loud without saying a word, clean without trying too hard, and tough enough to make traditional overlanders raise an eyebrow. Displayed inside SEMA’s Future Tech Studio - the epicentre for electrified innovation - the IONIQ 9 BigTime Concept represents what happens when creativity meets cutting-edge EV engineering. Underneath the clean IONIQ lines lies a serious off-road makeover: a lifted suspension, chunky all-terrain tyres, custom wheels, and a no-nonsense auxiliary light bar up front. The stance is aggressive, the proportions purposeful, and the aesthetic unmistakably “BigTime.”
“We wanted to bring something different to SEMA,” says Jeremiah Burton, CEO at BigTime. “EVs have come a long way, and this project gave us the chance to blend that modern tech with a vintage look inspired by our 1977 cabover truck we call Bud. It’s new-tech-meets-old-school - fun, functional, and full of character.”
While it looks like a concept out of an electric fever dream, the IONIQ 9 BigTime is rooted in purpose. Its rugged lift and beefy tyres aren’t just for show - they’re a statement that EVs can handle more than paved roads and mall parking lots. This is Hyundai’s way of saying, “Adventure doesn’t stop where the asphalt ends.” Sean Gilpin, Hyundai Motor North America’s Chief Marketing Officer, sums it up: “Its aggressive lift, all-terrain tyres, and off-road-ready stance capture the spirit of innovation and customisation - exactly what SEMA is all about. This concept takes the IONIQ 9 into uncharted terrain, and we know it’s more than ready for the challenge.”
BigTime’s creative DNA is written all over the project. Known for their high-energy builds, Jeremiah Burton and Zach Jobe have a knack for making modification feel accessible - showing enthusiasts that you don’t need a race team or million-dollar tools to make something cool. Their vision for the IONIQ 9 isn’t about exclusivity - it’s about showing that even EVs can have personality, purpose, and playfulness. “We believe all cars are cool, no matter what you drive,” says Burton. “If this build inspires someone to take their EV off the beaten path - mission accomplished.”
The IONIQ 9 BigTime Off-Road Concept redefines what customisation can look like in the EV era. Blending nostalgia with new-age capability, it proves that electric vehicles can have soul, especially when you mix in a little dirt, attitude, and imagination. We like.
Take a look at the YouTube video hosted by the crew at Crossroads Collectives that explains all the radness that is the Big Time Adventure: Hyundai IONIQ 9 Off-Road SUV Concept: A BigTime Adventure | Crossroads Collective
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