In the first half of the year, it seemed that the 2022 SEMA show may have been in danger of being a little underwhelming. Ford and Honda pulled out of the annual event, and they were followed a month later by Hyundai and General Motors. But thankfully, there has been plenty to get excited about. For example, Nissan will bring six concepts to this year's show, and now Volkswagen has announced that it will have nine cars on display.

The German automaker will bring concepts and heritage models to show off, including electric vehicles, SUVs, and hot hatches, ensuring that there will be something for all sorts of enthusiasts.

Atlas Basecamp Camping Concept

The first concept is based on the Atlas SUV, specifically the SEL VR6 3.6L 4Motion model. This concept has been fitted with raised suspension courtesy of H&R, featuring Street Performance Adventure Lift coilovers. TRAK+ wheel spacers are paired with 17-inch fifteen52 Traverse MX wheels in Frosted Graphite, the latter of which are wrapped in all-terrain tires.

Volkswagen Accessories include a crossbar with a Thule Basket & Side Awning, along with a prototype two-in-one Air Pump by NSV, which has been neatly incorporated into the trunk. A security console safe by Tuffy Security Products, Muddybuddy floor liners, a Bumperdillo protection plate, a hood deflector, an air mattress, camping lights, and fire extinguisher too.

Taos Basecamp Active Concept

The Taos concept is similar, again featuring 17-inch fifteen52 Traverse MX wheels in Frosted Graphite with all-terrain tires, a lifted suspension courtesy of H&R springs, and TRAK+ wheel spacers. Again, Volkswagen Accessories provides various items for the outdoorsy type, including base carrier bars and bike racks, a full display mirror, Muddybuddy floor liners, a roadside assistance and first aid kit, a Bumperdillo protection plate, and a rear seat cover.

To complete the look of this concept, Volkswagen has fitted Marin bicycles, bike helmets, and a fire extinguisher. No floodlights appear here, which makes sense considering the Taos is more of a pavement pounder than its bigger Atlas brother, but there is a similar graphics package.

ID.4 EV Drone Command Concept

Volkswagen reveals that its next concept is one of the first steps in its collaboration with the Tennessee Valley Authority as its sets the goal of operating a 100% electric sedan and SUV fleet by 2030. To evaluate its viability, the utility corporation will test the ID.4 for a year, and VW has modified an AWD Pro S variant as a "Mobile Drone Response Vehicle."

In the trunk, a custom storage solution houses drone and field equipment, while the roof is made more practical with a Thule Caprock platform roof rack with a Thule retractable side awning. The car also boasts a portable power station, H&R TRAK+ wheel spacers, all-terrain tires, roadside emergency lighting, as well as Volkswagen Accessories like splash guards, recovery boards, and a fire extinguisher.

ID.4 Accessories Concept

The next EV is based on the 2021 ID.4 1st Edition and adds a set of Volkswagen Accessories carrier bars supporting a Thule Canyon Basket and an Apex XT 9025XT hitch-mounted bike rack. Splash guards and H&R TRAK+ wheel spacers feature again, as do all-terrain tires, a Full Display Mirror, a rear seat cover, a spare tire kit, a dock & coat hanger, a roadside assistance and first aid kit, Monster Mats all-season floor mats, and a heavy-duty trunk liner with CarGo blocks. An attention-grabbing wrap completes the selection of relatively minor upgrades here, but the next concept is much more exciting.

GTI Accessories Concept And Jetta GLI Performance Concept

Volkswagen has modified a 2022 GTI SE with Oettinger cosmetic add-ons, including a front valence, a rear valence, and a rear spoiler. Also present is a set of 20-inch gloss-black wheels wrapped in high-performance rubber, while stopping is handled by eight-piston calipers and 14.6-inch cross-drilled rotors in front. H&R Street Performance coilovers get the stance just right, while GTI dynamic center caps, dynamic turn signals, and black Bumperdillo rear bumper protection finish off the look. Monster Mats all-season floor mats and a heavy-duty trunk liner with CarGo blocks feature too.

The Jetta GLI Performance Concept will be revealed at the show on November 1 and has not been shown yet, but we are told that it was reimagined by the Volkswagen Design Center California.

Historic Golf Models

The show will also welcome the 2004 Golf R32, which paved the way for today's Golf R. You can read more about that car in our brief history of the R nameplate, but what we're more interested in is a car that Volkswagen has not supplied pictures of. Sure, the R32 and its spiritual successor will be nice to see on display, but the Golf A59 Prototype will steal the show. This 1993 model was created to determine the feasibility of entering the FIA World Rally Championship in 2004, but it sadly never made production.

The prototype was developed with Schmidt Motorsport and featured a 2.0-liter all-aluminum turbocharged four-cylinder producing 275 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. This was paired with a six-speed manual transmission and four-wheel drive with a variable center differential. Bilstein shocks, wider control arms, 16-inch Speedline SL817 wheels, Brembo brakes, Recaro seats, a digital dash, and an integrated roll bar made this a seriously imposing concept.

If you'd like to see these creations in the metal, the SEMA show takes place from November 1-4 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.