Last year (even though it was last week, we can say that now) we brought you one of the cooler crossovers on the market. The vehicle of which we are speaking is a Mazda CX-5, customized by CJ Wilson Mazda to be a ute ready for the zombie apocalypse. Since that whole “end of world” thing came and went, this vehicle no longer needs to be ready to ward off the dinziens of flesh eating monsters, and whatever else was supposed to come our way. Instead we can appreciate it as one of the most badass crossovers that you can find in a dealership. The best part? They are actually selling it! To get a better idea of where the heck they came up with such an idea and what exactly makes a vehicle ready for the zombie apocalypse, we got a little more info from professional major league pitcher CJ Wilson (owner of the dealership, if you didn’t pick that up) and the dealership’s general manager, Eric Vates.
As you recall, the CX-5 Zombie Apocalypse Edition was the brain-child of CJ Wilson, pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. (Fun fact, CJ is a lefty-lefty, meaning that he both throws and bats left-handed. It is particularly rare. The author of this post is also lefty-lefty, though any MLB aspirations are unlikely) In creating this custom CX-5, Wilson asked one simple question: “what if we really did need to run and not look back?”
According to Wilson, “In a class-MPG-leader like the CX5 Z-Day Edition you really have your best chance to get to point B safely. The platform lends itself to customization…” The MLB pitcher and his dealership know a thing or two about customizing the CX-5. We’ve covered his daily driver here, and he clearly knows how to put a great aftermarket touch on the crossover. Dealership GM, Eric Vates broke down the equipment a little more, “With its knobby off road tires and aggressive stance plus overhead luggage rack complete with extra gas cans, spare and sledge hammer and pick axe (just in case the undead get too close) and full brush guards and off road lighting (power grid will probably be down) this is the vehicle to cruise to safety.” He continued, “The package retails for only $7995 and can be added to any cx5 with any trim level.”
If you are on the run from the undead and have a larger family, the boys at CJ Wilson Mazda are working on a CX-9. Wilson also brought up the impressive capability of this custom CX-5, “Our previous experience at CJW Mazda has been about putting more Zoom-zoom into Mazdas– and this one just shows that we can go in the other direction and make vehicles tougher and more off-road capable as well.” Well, Zombie apocalypse, or not, this would be a terrific crossover to have in the stable and more proof that crossover doesn’t have to mean “soft-roader.”
