The new Nissan Armada is a vast improvement over the previous generation. It’s better in every way and could be the foundation for a stellar off-road vehicle. Nissan is teasing that possibility with the Dune Patrol concept, which features an assortment of off-road prototype parts.
The Dune Patrol has a heavily modified custom suspension, with unique front and rear 10.0-inch 2.5 Bilstein M 9200 coilovers, upper and lower control arms, drive axles, front spindles, trailing arms, and tie rods, with extended brake lines. The Custom CJD Racing long-travel suspension has up to 16.0 inches of articulation.
The SUV also features an assortment of “prototype Nismo” parts, like the 18-inch bronze AXIS beadlock wheels, which Nissan wrapped in 37-inch Yokohama Geolander MT tires. There’s also a ton of exterior upgrades we hope to see in the parts catalog one day.
The Dune Patrol features a prototype high-clearance off-road bumper, which has an integrated front skid plate, front recovery tow shackles, and four six-inch amber Nismo off-road lights. At the back, there’s another high-clearance bumper, a spare tire carrier, and an accessory mount, which holds MaxTrac traction boards.
Photo by: Nissan
Other upgrades include rock sliders, A-pillar lights, and a custom vehicle wrap, along with a low-profile prototype roof rack. It has a 40.0-inch front and 30.0-inch rear LED light bars and custom MOLLE panels.
Nissan makes no mention of any powertrain upgrades, so we suspect the twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 making 425 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque is hiding under the hood. The SUV does have a prototype Nismo cat-back exhaust.
Things on the Dune Patrol that aren’t prototype parts include the high-wall floor mats, seatback organizers, and door scuff protectors. Those are genuine accessories.
Photo by: Nissan
While there’s likely no chance Nissan would ever produce an actual desert runner like this, it could turn these prototype Nismo parts into production ones. Someone somewhere is looking at the Dune Patrol, wondering just how much overtime they’ll need to work to make their Armada look as cool as this SEMA concept.
The Dune Patrol is one of several Nissan concepts at this year’s SEMA Show.
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