Fans that tune in to watch "The Walking Dead" will be thrilled to discover that Hyundai is introducing a new vehicle to its collection of custom zombie-proofed cars. Along with Innocean USA, Hyundai had developed The Walking Dead Chop Shop app so that fans could submit their own custom zombie survival machines with the Hyundai Santa Fe, Veolster Turbo or Elantra as a base. Out of more than 82,500 designs, Anson Kuo's Santa Fe Zombie Survival Machine was selected as the winner and built by Galpin Auto Sports. Now, it will go on display Oct. 10 at New York Comic-Con in the Future US booth.
A car for a post-apocalyptic world
Kuo, an Arizona native, constructed his camouflaged vehicle with a multitude of features that are designed to slay zombies, including a samurai sword, three machine guns, razor-wired windows, an automatic crossbow, knife blades and aluminum armor. The car is also equipped with a muffler silencer so that the undead cannot hear it approaching. He explained that his objective was to emphasized knives as the main weapon and allow ample space for survival supplies. Even the tires feature dagger-like spikes inside the wheels.
"We love Anson Kuo's take on this Santa Fe Zombie Survival Machine - it's creative ... and deadly," said Steve Shannon, vice president of marketing for Hyundai Motor America. "With help from the popularity of 'The Walking Dead' franchise, Hyundai continues to expand the conversation around Hyundai vehicles with young and passionate audiences."
Other zombie-fighting vehicles
This is not the first zombie-fighting machine from the automaker. In July, Hyundai revealed The Elantra Coupe Zombie Survival Machine at the San Diego Comic-Con. The vehicle was designed by Robert Kirkman, the creator of "The Walking Dead," and constructed by the California-based Design Craft. According to Carscoops, this vehicle included electric and pneumatic weaponry in the trunk, armored window coverings, floodlights at both ends and a spike-covered zombie plow in the front.
Kirkman noted that Anson's vehicle is an optimal way to celebrate the 10th anniversary of "The Walking Dead" comic book, which the popular TV series is based on. Attendees at New York Comic-Con won't only catch a glimpse of the winning design at the Future US booth - they'll also be able to step inside it to get a closer look, as well as snap photos with the car. There will even be a make-up artist on hand to paint visitors with zombie-like special effects.