Nissan’s SEMA concept count is up to six, and the topless Armada is, by far, the most extreme
Nissan definitely has its hands full at this year’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas. In addition to revealing a special Sentra concept and a pair of exciting Z cars, Nissan has presented a trio of wild off-road concepts based on the Frontier, Pathfinder, and Armada. While the concept cars are ready for some track fun, these concept trucks and SUVs are all about extreme off-roading.
Though these vehicles are concepts, previous SEMA concepts from Nissan have spawned production models, like its current Rock Creek lineup, so Nissan may eventually sell elements of these builds to customers. We don’t ever expect to see a topless version of the Armada making its way into production, but could the next-gen Xterra get some off-road accessories like this? We sure hope so.
“As we look toward a future of even more capable trucks and SUVs, including an all-new Xterra, these SEMA Show concepts allow builders to unleash their creativity, while also exploring ideas and innovations that can help inform the direction for accessorizing future Nissan trucks and SUVs,” said Kim Less, vice president of Aftersales and Customer Loyalty at Nissan Americas.
Nissan Frontier Ronin Concept
Of the three builds, the Frontier Ronin Concept is the one we’d like to see on sale at a Nissan dealership. Its exterior has been transformed with a range of Nismo Off Road accessories, including rock sliders, a roof rack, a spare tire carrier, six-inch driving lights, four-inch A-pillar lights, and prototype flared front and rear fenders. Nissan’s team has also crafted high-clearance front and rear bumpers for the Frontier, ensuring that not even the most difficult terrain can stop this truck.
To make sure this Nissan Frontier doesn’t just look the part but also performs, the suspension has been overhauled with new Bilstein Black Hawk M 9400 four-way adjustable coilovers with high- and low-speed compression adjustment, plus adjustable rebound and bypass damping. A set of race-spec upper and lower control arms has also been fitted alongside new race spindles, extended axles, and custom rear shock absorber mounts. It also has new 17-inch wheels and a big brake kit.
Like a normal Frontier, the Ronin Concept features the brand’s familiar 3.8-liter VQ38DD V6 engine. However, it has a pair of turbochargers from a GT-R Nismo, plus an ECUTEK engine management system and a custom air intake. Regardless of how much power this beast has, it’ll almost certainly provide the most fun you can have behind the wheel of a Frontier.
Nissan Armada Jungle Patrol Concept
The most extensively modified vehicle of the three is the Jungle Patrol concept. After the Armada Nismo, we didn’t think Nissan’s full-size SUV could get much wilder, but this concept proves us wrong. The most obvious change is that the SUV’s roof has been chopped off and replaced with a black tubular roll cage, giving drivers that open-top off-roading experience perfected by the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco. Complementing the new tubular roof are tubular steel front and rear bumpers, custom fender flares, Nismo Off Road rock sliders, and Nismo Off Road six-inch lights at the front. The Armada’s interior has been stripped out and replaced with new bench seats.
For power, the Armada continues to use the standard model’s twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 with 425 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. A Nismo cat-back exhaust has been added to help the V6 purr. Nissan has also equipped this wild off-roader with prototype Nismo 18-inch wheels clad in 37-inch Yokohama Geolander tires. It also rocks long-travel racing suspension and adjustable coilovers with remote reservoirs.
Nissan Pathfinder XE-V6 Concept
This isn’t the wildest Pathfinder you’ll find at SEMA this year, but we could also see Nissan bringing something similar to life. Completing the trio of off-road concepts is the Pathfinder XE-V6 Concept, which is certainly the most restrained. Nissan says it pays tribute to the first-generation WD21 model and includes a retro red, grey, silver, and black paint scheme, and it definitely stands out from a regular Pathfinder.
It’s adorned with an abundance of special off-road-oriented parts, including custom front and rear bumpers, unique rock rails, a roof rack, a swing-out tire carrier, and rack-mounted Molle panels. A Warn winch will help to get the concept out of trouble should Nissan ever take it off-roading, and it also sports a large ice box and a Nismo storage case on the roof.
Power comes from the Pathfinder’s regular naturally aspirated 3.0-liter V6, which delivers 290 hp and 270 lb-ft in Rock Creek package guise. A Nismo cat-back exhaust has been fitted. Adding to the SUV’s rugged appeal are a four-inch lift kit and 18-inch wheels with Yokohama Geolander mud-terrain tires.
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