Chicago - Just in case there were any Nissan Z fans out there who were dying to know what a 370Z snowmobile would look like, Nissan created this unique, one-off concept for the 2018 Chicago Auto Show.
Playfully dubbed “370Zki” the roadster wears a pair of skis where the front wheels were, while the back rims have made way for ‘Dominator’ snow tracks.
And it’s not just for show - this is a fully working concept that Nissan put through its paces on the slopes of Wyoming.
Creating it did present a few obstacles, as you would imagine.
For starters, the team had to modify the rear wheel wells and create a custom 7.6cm lift kit to accommodate the snow tracks, and that also meant fabricating custom mountings for the rear suspension springs and the spacers to mount the tracks to the wheel hubs.
Nissan retained the standard brakes, but the brake lines had to be rerouted and the exhaust system was modified to fit under the vehicle.
The front suspension was also modified to accommodate the new ride height, and special adaptors were created to allow the appropriate travel and rotation for the front skis.
The 3.7-litre normally aspirated V6 engine remains, but this and the transmission had to be remounted.
A more realistic prospect, also showing in Chicago, is the Nissan Armada Snow Patrol concept.
The Amarda has in this case been treated to a 7.6cm Pro Comp lift kit, as well as more aggressive 20-inch wheels with 35-inch tyres, Smittybilt off-road bumper and heavy-duty winch.