Nissan has brought a substantial lineup to this year’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Alongside a special Sentra concept and two Z-based builds, the automaker has revealed three highly modified off-road concepts based on the Frontier, Pathfinder, and Armada. While its other concepts are aimed at track driving, these trucks and SUVs are designed to tackle extreme terrain.
Although these are show vehicles, Nissan’s previous SEMA projects have influenced production offerings, including the current Rock Creek lineup. That leaves open the possibility that some of these components could eventually be offered to customers. A production Armada without a roof seems unlikely, but similar off-road equipment for the next-generation Xterra would be welcome.
“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.
Of the three concepts, the Frontier Ronin is the one most likely to appeal to buyers if it reached Nissan showrooms. Its exterior uses a collection of Nismo Off Road parts, 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 also developed high-clearance front and rear bumpers to improve the truck’s ability to clear difficult obstacles.
The Frontier’s suspension has been comprehensively reworked to match its appearance. It features Bilstein Black Hawk M 9400 four-way adjustable coilovers with high- and low-speed compression adjustment, along with adjustable rebound and bypass damping. Race-spec upper and lower control arms join new race spindles, extended axles, custom rear shock mounts, 17-inch wheels, and a big brake kit.
Under the hood, the Ronin retains the Frontier’s familiar 3.8-liter VQ38DD V6, but Nissan has added a pair of turbochargers from a GT-R Nismo, an ECUTEK engine management system, and a custom air intake. Nissan does not state the resulting output, but the combination should make this an exceptionally entertaining Frontier to drive.
The most thoroughly transformed of the trio is the Jungle Patrol concept. Following the Armada Nismo, Nissan’s full-size SUV did not seem likely to become more extreme, yet this build does exactly that. Its roof has been removed and replaced with a black tubular roll cage, creating the open-air off-road experience associated with vehicles such as the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco. Tubular steel front and rear bumpers, custom fender flares, Nismo Off Road rock sliders, and front-mounted six-inch Nismo Off Road lights complete the exterior changes, while the cabin has been stripped and fitted with bench seats.
The Armada keeps its standard twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6, producing 425 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. Nissan adds a Nismo cat-back exhaust, prototype Nismo 18-inch wheels, and 37-inch Yokohama Geolander tires. Long-travel racing suspension and adjustable coilovers with remote reservoirs further prepare the open-top SUV for demanding terrain.
The Pathfinder XE-V6 Concept is the most restrained of Nissan’s three off-road builds, though it still looks far removed from a standard Pathfinder. It pays tribute to the first-generation WD21 model with a distinctive red, grey, silver, and black paint scheme.
Its trail-focused equipment includes custom front and rear bumpers, unique rock rails, a roof rack, a swing-out tire carrier, and rack-mounted Molle panels. A Warn winch is ready to recover the SUV if needed, while a large ice box and a Nismo storage case add carrying capacity on the roof.
The Pathfinder uses the regular naturally aspirated 3.0-liter V6, which produces 290 hp and 270 lb-ft in Rock Creek package form. A Nismo cat-back exhaust is fitted, while a four-inch lift kit and 18-inch wheels wrapped in Yokohama Geolander mud-terrain tires reinforce its rugged character.
Nissan’s three off-road SEMA concepts explore potential upgrades for future trucks and SUVs, including an all-new Xterra. The Frontier Ronin combines twin-turbo power with race-ready suspension, the topless Armada Jungle Patrol adds 37-inch tires and long-travel hardware, while the Pathfinder XE-V6 uses retro styling and practical trail equipment to honor the original WD21.
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