A first-gen Mazda CX-5 has fallen into the hands of Japan’s Nihon Automobile College (NATS) and will be turned into a Baja 1000 lookalike for the 2020 Tokyo Auto Salon.

Set to debut at next month’s event, it has been teased in an official rendering, which shows the radical makeover complete with new front and rear bumpers, fender flares, roof rack and skid plates meant to keep the underbody protected.

Review: 2018 Mazda CX-5 An Engaging SUV With A Lovely Interior, But Is It Enough?

In the images posted on social media, the compact SUV appears to have sealed off rear windows and a reworked tailgate design, where it will probably have room for the spare wheel(s). Elsewhere, it will sport a new suspension with improved approach and departure angles, and longer travel, as well as new 16-inch wheels shod in chunky off-road rubber from Toyo. The finished product will sport a black look all around.

Now, in spite of the massive improvements meant to make it more capable on arduous terrains, the 2012 CX-5 is far from being the perfect off-road warrior. For one, it doesn’t benefit from a body-on-frame construction and there’s no low-range gearbox; it will, however, be able to venture further off the beaten path than any other CX-5. We’ll just have to wait and see if it will ever demonstrate its new skills or if it will only be displayed at the event in the event held in Japan’s capital, where its makers are confident that “it will be one of the most popular cars”.

Mazda CX-5 Gets Kitted Out To Handle The Great Outdoors
Mazda CX-5 Gets Kitted Out To Handle The Great Outdoors
Mazda CX-5 Gets Kitted Out To Handle The Great Outdoors
Mazda CX-5 Gets Kitted Out To Handle The Great Outdoors
Mazda CX-5 Gets Kitted Out To Handle The Great Outdoors
Mazda CX-5 Gets Kitted Out To Handle The Great Outdoors
Mazda CX-5 Gets Kitted Out To Handle The Great Outdoors
Mazda CX-5 Gets Kitted Out To Handle The Great Outdoors
Mazda CX-5 Gets Kitted Out To Handle The Great Outdoors
Mazda CX-5 Gets Kitted Out To Handle The Great Outdoors