Nissan – always in the spirit of the season – is celebrating the Chicago Auto Show expected winter weather with two winter vehicle concept vehicles crafted especially for the show.
On display at the show will be the Nissan Armada Snow Patrol and the Nissan 370Zki Roadster Snowmobile.
Armada Snow Patrol
The Nissan Armada Snow Patrol features a Pro Comp three-inch suspension lift, 35-inch tall Pro Comp MT2 maximum traction extreme off-road tires mounted on 20×9-inch Cognito Series 61 wheels with a Satin Black milled finish. The front end is beefed up with a Smittybilt off-road bumper with grille protector bar and a winch mount with 12,000-pound capacity winch.
Lighting the way is a roof-mounted DR36 double row LED light bar with flood and spot capabilities, along with a pair of grille-mounted 5-inch LED round motorsports lights. M-1A running boards/rock sliders were added to help prevent road debris damage, and to supplement the Armada’s large interior cargo space, a one-piece Defender rack was mounted to the roof.
Inside, Katzkin provided premium leather-wrapped front seats with pearl color surfaces and cement color perforated inserts, cobalt color wings, contrasting cobalt stitching and Armada Snow Patrol logo seatback inserts. A custom body wrap by Icon Image Graphics, with special Armada Snow Patrol logo, was the final touch
Nissan Armada Snow Patrol Project Build Specifications
Base Vehicle: 2018 Nissan Armada full-size SUV
Drivetrain: 390-horsepower 5.6-liter DOHC Endurance V8; 7-speed automatic transmission with overdrive, manual mode and Synchronized Rev Control and tow/haul mode; all-wheel drive; 8,500-pound maximum towing capacity.
Modifications:
| Modification | Supplier |
| Wheels – Cognito Series 61
20×9, Satin Black milled |
Pro Comp |
| Tires – Pro Comp MT2 maximum traction extreme off-road, 35×12.50R20 | Pro Comp |
| Suspension lift kit – 2-inch front/1-inch rear level lift | Pro Comp |
| Off-road bumper – M1A2 with grille protector bar, XRC 12,000-lb winch | Smittybilt |
| Side steps – M1A2 | Smittybilt |
| Fog lights – 5-inch LED round motorsports lights | Pro Comp |
| Light Bar – Explorer Lighting S4 LED Cube and LED light bars | Pro Comp |
| Sport overfenders – M-1 fender flares with 2-inches extra tire coverage, stainless steel rivets | Smittybilt |
| Roof rack – Defender one-piece, 4’ x 4’ | Smittybilt |
| Weather shields | Nissan Australia |
| Front seats – Premium leather-wrapped front seats, pearl color with cement color perforated inserts and cobalt wings and contrasting stitching, Armada Snow Patrol logo seatback inserts | Katzkin |
| Geometric body wrap | Icon Image Graphics |
| All-weather floor liners | Weather Tech |
Nissan 370Zki Roadster Snowmobile
Dubbed the “370Zki” – pronounced “370-Ski” – the 332-horsepower 370Zki Roadster Snowmobile is ready to tackle ski slopes and backwoods trails alike with its front skis and rear snow tracks replacing the iconic sports car’s usual high-performance tires.
Transformation of the 370Z was a bit more challenging than the Armada. To make room for the rear DOMINATOR Tracks from the entire drivetrain was first removed from the 370Z Roadster. A custom lift kit was engineered to lift the vehicle three inches from the normal height. Next came fabrication of custom mountings for the rear suspension springs and three-inch custom spacers to mount the snow tracks to the wheel hubs. The factory brakes were retained but the brake lines had to be rerouted and the exhaust system was modified to fit under the vehicle. The rear wheel wells were also modified for clearance of the four-foot long snow tracks.
Up front, the suspension was modified to accommodate the new ride height, and adaptors were made to allow the appropriate travel and rotation for the front skis – which were mounted with spacers to the stock wheel hubs. The engine and transmission also had to be custom-mounted and a front skid plate fabricated to prevent damage during snow excursions.
The bold and bright custom body wrap was created and applied by Icon Image Graphics and – as a final touch – the headlights were tinted yellow to resemble ski goggles.
Nissan 370Zki Project Build Specifications
Base Vehicle: Nissan 370Z Roadster
Drivetrain: 332-horsepower 3.7-liter DOHC V6, RWD, 7-speed automatic transmission
Top: Cloth power-folding roof with fabric inner liner
Modifications:
|
Part/system |
Supplier/modification |
| DOMINATOR® Tracks
Width 15 inches Length 48 inches Height 30 inches |
American Track Truck, Inc. |
| Front skis
Width 12 inches Length 56 inches |
American Track Truck, Inc. |
| Wheel wells | Opened up, front and rear |
| Wheel spacers | 3-inch front and rear |
| Suspension
|
Custom mounting fabrication front and rear |
| Brakes | Factory spec front and rear, relocated – including brake lines |
| Steering | Factory spec |
| Engine | Factory spec 3.7-liter V6, 332 hp, 270 lb-ft torque |
| Body wrap | Icon Image Graphics |
The Nissan Armada Snow Patrol and the 370Zki Roadster Snowmobile will be on public display at the 2018 Chicago Auto Show, which runs Feb. 10th through Feb. 19th at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
