All the Wildest Concepts from SEMA 2024

Every year, just after Halloween, automakers prove that people aren’t the only ones who like to dress up, and show off a selection of modified, tuned, and otherwise improved vehicles at the Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) show.

From sports cars dressing up as rally cars to electric family vehicles dressing up as off-roaders, the show is a fun way for the automotive industry to ask what if? and to hint at what may someday come to pass. Below, we’ve gathered some of the most notable vehicles that were on display at the Las Vegas Convention Center this week.

Toyota Tuners Show Prove That They Get It

Toyota’s design teams were busy this year, allowing the automaker to bring no fewer than 10 concept vehicles to the show floor at SEMA 2024. And it wasn’t just quantity, the company brought fun (like the 4Runner TRD Surf concept, which features a removable top for better surfboard storage), clever (like the Suprabird, a tribute to Richard Petty’s legendary 1969 Plymouth Superbird), and deeply desirable (like the GR86 Rally Legacy Concept, a GR86 endowed with AWD thanks to the powertrain from the GR Corolla) concept vehicles.

Indeed, high-performance vehicles were a big focus for the automaker, which also brought the Land Cruiser ROX, whose removable top and big tires make it an able rock climber, the RAV-X concept, inspired by the Dakar rally, and the #84 Tacoma TRD ProRunner Race Concept, which is designed to tackle the Baja off-road race. In fact, the performance streak even informed Toyota’s classic department, which brought the Classic Adventure Cruiser, a retromod vintage Land Cruiser, the ’94 Toyota Drift Truck, a hot pink minitruck meant for lurid slides.

Finally, the automaker proved that it’s not all about how fast, far, or ferociously a vehicle can go. It’s also about how well it serves its occupants once it has stopped. To that end, it created the Ultimate Tailgate Tundra, a pikcup with five 55-inch TV screens, and the Modellista Overland Vision Concept, which is perfect for long drives off the grid.

Kia Goes Off-Road Without an Engine

Kia is looking to show that electric vehicles (EVs) can be rugged, too, with the EV9 Advntr Concept and the PV5 Wkndr Concept EV Van. Featuring suspension lifts, rugged all-terrain tires, a custom roof rack, and more, the vehicles are the perfect camping vehicles for EV enthusiasts.

In addition, the automaker brought three concepts inspired by Greek gods. The Sportage Thetis Godess of Water features a custom wrap, rose gold trim, Fifteen52 wheels and a kayak mount. The Telluride Zeus God of the Sky & Thunder also gets custom Fifteen52 wheels, Open Country Toyo tires, an iKamper tent, and a Borla exhaust system. Finally, the Sorento Gaia Goddess of Earth features a neutral colour scheme, gold-tone trim, Fifteen52 wheels, a Yakima awning, a Kicker outdoor soundbar, and a Baja Design Lightbar, and other modifications.

Nissan Focuses on Trucks

It was a tale of two driving surfaces for Nissan, which sought to prove that its trucks and SUVs are just as comfortable on the road as they are off it. Project Trailgater is a Frontier Pro-4X that features a Nismo lift kit, bed rack, cargo case, off-road lighting, 17-inch bead-lock wheels, all-terrain tires, two 43-inch weatherproof TVs, electric coolers, a grille, and a kitchen sink. The Kicks Beach Patrol concept also wants to go off-road, and all the way to the water’s edge. It features Yokohama off-road tires, a custom suspension lift, and all the equipment a lifeguard might need.

On the other end of the spectrum, the Kicks Urban Shadow concept gets closer to the ground thanks to a custom suspension, Nismo wheels, and a cat-back exhaust. The Frontier Tarmac Concept will also hug the road, and features high-performance brakes, a chin spoiler, and summer tires. It also gets a Roots-style supercharger that helps its 3.8L V6 make 400 horsepower. Finally, Nissan also brought a Z adorned with the Legendary accessory package to make it look like the limited edition Heritage Edition model.

Infiniti Makes Tailgating Fancy

While tailgating isn’t necessarily an upscale experience, there’s no reason it can’t be with the right tailgate, or so Infiniti believes. The premium brand brought a QX80 loaded with a selection of leather-wrapped amenities to SEMA 2024. That includes an integrated TV screen that plays through the 24-speaker Klipsch Premium Audio system, as well as a slide-out drawer system for tailgate essentials like food and beverages.

Stellantis Electrifies a Classic

Stellantis wants to prove that Ford and GM aren’t the only brands that can electrify classics. Its Plymouth GTX electromod concept features a 355 hp electric motor and a 73 kWh battery back, and an estimated range of over 400 km (250 miles). It also gets bronze 18x9-inch magnesium wheels and Wilwood disc brakes.

The automaker also brought a selection of pickups, including a Hemi V8-powered Ram 2500 Power Wagon with off-road light, off-road suspension, and a bed full of Gearpods for integrated bedside storage. A rugged-looking take on the Ram 1500, meanwhile, adds off-road lights, all-terrain tires, and a black and blue wrap.

Ringbrothers Bring Big Power

And that's just what the automakers brought. It will come as no surprise to anyone who has kept up with the Ringbrothers that they have brought high-power versions of American classics to SEMA 2024. Its take on the 1987 Buick Grand National, the “Invadr,” is impressive even by the tuning house's standards making 1,246 hp and 1,000 lb-ft of torque, despite still being powered by a V6 engine. More impressive still, that’s just in daily driving mode. At full boost, the engine is capable of churning out up to 2,000 hp.

In addition, Ringbrothers also brought a modified 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer to the show that it’s calling “Tuka.” Powered by a 6.2L V8, is makes 525 hp and 487 lb-ft of torque. Intriguingly, it also features chassis elements (such as the independent suspension) from the third-generation Toyota Tacoma. The result is a highly capable, highly comfortable retromod.

Speaking of retro, AC Cars brought an electric version of the vintage roadster that would become the AC Cobra. The all-electric AC Ace combines a 72 kWh battery pack with a 300 hp motor to produce a retromod that can go over 320 km (200 miles) per charge and can get to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds.

While that just scratches the surface of the wild and wonderful creations on display at SEMA 2024, it provides a good look at what some automakers are thinking of for the future, and how big of an impact off-roading and, to a lesser extent, electrification are having on the aftermarket tuning scene.