Photo: Hyundai
If you remember those freak shows they had back when politically correctness wasn't a thing, then you can get an idea of what the SEMA Show is like. It's an excuse for manufacturers and tuners alike to show you the most ridiculous, absurd, in-your-face modified vehicles that would not dare to flaunt their faces in public anywhere else.
Hyundai's history with this show is long and pretty complicated, but we can clearly remember the Tucson crossover it brought two years ago. There were two of them, actually, replicating the old Jekyll and Hyde theme: one of them was an asphalt-scraper with a lowered suspension, aggressive bumpers, and 700 horsepower on tap, while the other looked like it could climb the Everest.
Well, the latter should prepare itself to meet its daddy at this year's show in Las Vegas. The South Korean manufacturer is readying an even more extreme off-road conversion, only this time it's the larger Santa Fe model that's receiving all the attention.
With a name so long that it would put a Spanish man to shame - Rockstar Energy Moab Extreme Off-roader Santa Fe Sport Concept - Hyundai's entry at this year's SEMA is a collaboration meant to design the ultimate desert warrior.
If the picture wasn't clear enough, the list of modifications is ample. The SUV gets KING coilover suspension with 2.5-inch bypass shocks with reservoirs. The wheels appear massive, but it's actually the Mickey Thompson 35×12.50R17 Baja MTZ off-road tires that make them look so. The rims are just 17-inch in diameter and are made by KMC.
The less vital components to its off-road prowess that are just as important to its presence - the skid plates, modified bumpers, added lights and roof rack - were all fitted by Rockstar Performance Garage, an old partner of Hyundai when it comes to this sort of modifications.
This isn't the look you would expect from a Hyundai Santa Fe, but it's not entirely unfitting for the Korean SUV. Who would have thought, right? On the other hand, we guess you could do the same with a small hatchback and still get something that looks ready to take on the dunes, so you shouldn't get too carried away if you own a Santa Fe.
This year's SEMA Show starts on the last day of this month and will be held, as usual, in Las Vegas. The TLDR Santa Fe concept will be on display there, as will other Hyundai-based crazy vehicles that we're still to find out more about. Stay tuned.
Well, the latter should prepare itself to meet its daddy at this year's show in Las Vegas. The South Korean manufacturer is readying an even more extreme off-road conversion, only this time it's the larger Santa Fe model that's receiving all the attention.
With a name so long that it would put a Spanish man to shame - Rockstar Energy Moab Extreme Off-roader Santa Fe Sport Concept - Hyundai's entry at this year's SEMA is a collaboration meant to design the ultimate desert warrior.
If the picture wasn't clear enough, the list of modifications is ample. The SUV gets KING coilover suspension with 2.5-inch bypass shocks with reservoirs. The wheels appear massive, but it's actually the Mickey Thompson 35×12.50R17 Baja MTZ off-road tires that make them look so. The rims are just 17-inch in diameter and are made by KMC.
The less vital components to its off-road prowess that are just as important to its presence - the skid plates, modified bumpers, added lights and roof rack - were all fitted by Rockstar Performance Garage, an old partner of Hyundai when it comes to this sort of modifications.
This isn't the look you would expect from a Hyundai Santa Fe, but it's not entirely unfitting for the Korean SUV. Who would have thought, right? On the other hand, we guess you could do the same with a small hatchback and still get something that looks ready to take on the dunes, so you shouldn't get too carried away if you own a Santa Fe.
This year's SEMA Show starts on the last day of this month and will be held, as usual, in Las Vegas. The TLDR Santa Fe concept will be on display there, as will other Hyundai-based crazy vehicles that we're still to find out more about. Stay tuned.
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