Cold, wet and wild Snow Patrol

Nissan has taken the wraps off a kick arse version of the Patrol ahead of its debut at the Chicago motor show.

The Armada Snow Patrol features a three-inch lift kit, with some massive mud diggers to match.

Along with a beefy front bumper, light bar and roof rack, the one-off Snow Patrol project takes the wagon back to its roots as an adventure-ready offroader.

“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,” said Billy Hayes, division vice president, Commercial Vehicles and Trucks, Nissan North America.

The project build started with the installation of a complete suspension lift kit from Pro Comp that makes way for the new 35-inch-tall Pro Comp MT2 maximum traction extreme off-road tyres.

The new tyres are mounted on 20×9-inch Cognito Series 61 wheels with a Satin Black milled finish.

To help safely navigate backwoods trails, the Armada Snow Patrol’s front end was beefed up with a Smittybilt off-road bumper with grille protector bar and winch mount with 12,000-pound capacity winch.

Helping light the Snow Patrol’s 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, premium leather-wrapped front seats with pearl colour surfaces and cement colour perforated inserts, cobalt colour wings, contrasting cobalt stitching and Armada Snow Patrol logo seatback inserts were added.

A custom body wrap by Icon Image Graphics, with special Armada Snow Patrol logo, was the final touch.

In a special touch, to go with the wagon Nissan added the 370Zki – a “snowmobile” created from a Nissan 370Z Roadster.

The Armada or Patrol as it is known to Aussies has been on a winning streak in the United States since the introduction of the second-generation 2017 model — with a 154 per cent increase in sales last year, making it the fastest growing SUV in its class.

Now, if they could just come up with a diesel version, instead of the gas-guzzling 5.6-litre petrol V8 that powers Patrol, Aussies would find it a whole lot more attractive.

Note the weathershields come from Australia.

Nissan Armada Snow Patrol Project Build Specifications

Base Vehicle: 2018 Nissan Armada full-size SUV

Drivetrain: 390-horsepower 5.6-litre DOHC Endurance® V8; 7AT with overdrive, manual mode and Synchronized Rev Control and tow/haul mode for enhanced performance and fuel efficiency; all-wheel drive; 8,500-pound maximum towing capacity (when properly equipped)

Modifications

Modification Supplier

Wheels Pro Comp

Cognito Series 61 20×9, Satin Black milled

Tyres Pro Comp

Pro Comp MT2 maximum traction extreme

off-road, 35×12.50R20

Suspension lift kit Pro Comp

2-inch front/1-inch rear level lift

Off-road bumper Smittybilt

M1A2 with grille protector bar,
XRC 12,000-lb winch

Side steps Smittybilt