Korea's biggest carmaker is continuing its annual tradition of partnering with some of America's most creative and cutting-edge tuning houses for this November's SEMA show.
And while Hyundai will be keeping some details about its planned projects under wraps until the event — which this year starts on Nov 1 — it has confirmed that it is again working with Bisimoto and Rockstar Performance Garage.
Bisimoto is creating the "Santa-Fast," a Hyundai Santa Fe that will sport a bespoke engine, based on a standard Hyundai 3.8-litre V6, but built in a climate-controlled clean room to ensure the tiniest of tolerances. But as the end goal is a car with 1,040hp going to the rear wheels, this sort of accuracy is crucial.
The engine will also be helped in this regard with the addition of a Bisimoto custom twin-turbo kit, new injectors, exhaust system, custom camshafts and the ability to run on flex fuel.
"Bisimoto takes pleasure in making any vehicle fun to drive, even a larger SUV," said Bisi Ezerioha, owner of Bisimoto. "Our Santa-Fast SUV is a proof-of-concept vehicle with driving capabilities that our customers can count on every day they turn the key."
And while the Santa-Fast is built for the track, Rockstar Performance Garage has decided to take a Santa Fe and turn it into a real desert racer.
It also uses a "stock" Hyundai V6 but one with a Magnaflow custom exhaust, a cold air intake system and of course a Nitrous-oxide injection system for the ultimate in short-term power boost.
"Rockstar conveys its endless brand energy in everything we do," said Nick Ashby, lead developer of the Rockstar concept vehicle. "Our Rockstar Santa Fe Concept is simultaneously all-show and all-go, a non-compromising concept with tremendous capabilities and a confident demeanour to match."
Therefore, the concept gets a complete custom suspension system fit for a Baja race with coil overs, KING shocks, new control arms and tie-rods. The car stands significantly higher for optimum ground clearance while grip comes courtesy of 35-inch Mickey Thompson Baja Claw off-road tyres. There's also an integrated winch, LED off-roading light bars, a custom roof rack and full underbody protection including rock sliders.
