Here’s Nissan a little more sobered up from the state they were in when they conceived a snowmobile from a 370Z Roadster - next year they’ll building a time machine out of a DeLorean. Continuing the winter theme, they’ve outfitted their Armada SUV with a number of cold weather adventure gear and mods.
Of course, this large 7-seater in markets like ours goes under the name Patrol, which is why they’ve named this fun concept the Armada Snow Patrol. It’s due to be shown off at the Chicago Motor Show later this month, a locale that’s one the Northernmost major city in the United States, and therefore still inundated with plenty of snow.
Like the 370Z, the Armada/Patrol is a model that, despite its updates, can still be labelled as a model that’s a little long in the tooth, having existed in this 6th-generation form since 2010. It’s also sold with more luxurious trappings as the Infiniti QX80.
That being said, this hulking Japanese high-rider is probably one of the most ideal vehicles to attempt this mountainside rover conversion while remaining luxurious It’s also part of a dying breed of SUVs still powered (solely) by a V8 engine, with the 5.6-litre naturally aspirated unit generating a healthy 298kW and 560Nm, as well as a nod to the Patrol’s legacy as a no-nonsense go anywhere machine in the same spirit as the Willys Jeep, its Wrangler follow-ons, and direct competitor to the original Toyota Land Cruiser.
The 2018 Patrol’s motor itself was not seen as an ingredient that needed augmentation, but the internal team within Nissan North America did endow it with a 3-inch suspension lift, mean off-road tyres, a double-row DR36 light bar and roof rack combo, as well as a new Smittybilt front bumper with integrated 5,500kg capacity winch. There’s also M-1A running boards that further prevents debris damage and a pair of grille-mounted 5-inch LED motorsports lights.
It’s suspension was given the extra height from ProComp lift kit, which also supplied the accompanying 35-inch MT2 maximum traction extreme off-road tyres that wrap around a set of 20-inch Cognito Series 61 wheels with a Satin Black milled finish.
Inside the Snow Patrol, the rugged persona transitions into luxury. Like the standard Armada, there’s plenty of leather and wood inserts to fill the airy cabin. But Nissan has gone a step further by giving the front seats perforated inserts and a pearl finish with cobalt coloured wings and contrast stitching with ‘Armada Snow Patrol’ seat back inserts. Lastly, though this was probably the first few changes to be noticed, is the bright blue geometric gradient vinyl wrap, who were also responsible for the body on the 370Zki.
"While the 2018 Armada drives like a luxury sedan, it has a long off-road heritage as the Nissan Patrol, a global expedition vehicle," said Billy Hayes, division vice president, Commercial Vehicles and Trucks, Nissan North America, Inc. "As part of our celebration of winter at the Chicago Auto Show, we wanted to remind our growing family of Armada owners and enthusiasts that this full-size SUV stands ready to take you to the mountains, or at least safely through Chicago streets covered in lake effect snow."
"With its rugged fully-boxed ladder frame, powerful V8, advanced all-wheel-drive system and easily engaged Snow Mode setting on the 4WD Mode Control dial, Armada is ready to tackle the most adverse climate situations. The Armada Snow Patrol takes it to the next level," he added.
For more on Nissan vehicles, check out our Showroom.
