Nissan shows Titan Warrior concept

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Just as the all-new TITAN XD with its Cummins® 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel engine has bulked up the standards for customers shopping the light-duty pickup class, the TITAN Warrior Concept was created to take the production version to the extreme. The TITAN Warrior Concept builds on the recent Project Titan, a crowd-sourced customization of an original-generation Titan that sent two U.S. military veterans representing Wounded Warrior Project® on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in Alaska. The new concept truck also pays homage to Nissan’s heritage of off-road racing and adventuring, which goes back to the days of Baja “Hardbody” competition pickups and Paris-Dakar Rally treks.

A couple of years ago Nissan created a Titan vehicle that took two wounded warriors to Alaska for the trip of a lifetime.  Now it appears that others may have a chance to experience the DNA of that pickup truck.  At the North American International Auto Show, the company has taken the wraps off a Warrior concept for the masses.

Just as the all-new TITAN XD with its Cummins® 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel engine has bulked up the standards for customers shopping the light-duty pickup class, the TITAN Warrior Concept was created to take the production version to the extreme. The TITAN Warrior Concept builds on the recent Project Titan, a crowd-sourced customization of an original-generation Titan that sent two U.S. military veterans representing Wounded Warrior Project® on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in Alaska. The new concept truck also pays homage to Nissan’s heritage of off-road racing and adventuring, which goes back to the days of Baja “Hardbody” competition pickups and Paris-Dakar Rally treks.

Created by Nissan Designs America in La Jolla, CA, this — like the Titan that was a finalist for North American Truck of the Year — is super-sized; neither a half-ton nor a heavy-duty.  The Titan XD Crew Cab is the basis for the Warrior.  For greater presence, the Warrior was raised almost three inches to 81.5″.  That allowed the 37″ of-road tires mounted on custom 18×9.5′ custom aluminum-alloy wheels.

Just as the all-new TITAN XD with its Cummins® 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel engine has bulked up the standards for customers shopping the light-duty pickup class, the TITAN Warrior Concept was created to take the production version to the extreme. The TITAN Warrior Concept builds on the recent Project Titan, a crowd-sourced customization of an original-generation Titan that sent two U.S. military veterans representing Wounded Warrior Project® on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in Alaska. The new concept truck also pays homage to Nissan’s heritage of off-road racing and adventuring, which goes back to the days of Baja “Hardbody” competition pickups and Paris-Dakar Rally treks.

To created the needed clearance for the Warriors boots-on-the-ground and for the long-travel suspension that was also specified, the width was extended three inches on either side.

Just as the all-new TITAN XD with its Cummins® 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel engine has bulked up the standards for customers shopping the light-duty pickup class, the TITAN Warrior Concept was created to take the production version to the extreme. The TITAN Warrior Concept builds on the recent Project Titan, a crowd-sourced customization of an original-generation Titan that sent two U.S. military veterans representing Wounded Warrior Project® on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in Alaska. The new concept truck also pays homage to Nissan’s heritage of off-road racing and adventuring, which goes back to the days of Baja “Hardbody” competition pickups and Paris-Dakar Rally treks.

The grille and headlights were beefed up for a more aggressive look.  Front and rear fenders were flared to accentuate the muscular look; The hoodline has a skidplate which interlocks to the front bumper and the hood itself has functional cooling vents for the 5L Cummins turbo-diesel engine.

Just as the all-new TITAN XD with its Cummins® 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel engine has bulked up the standards for customers shopping the light-duty pickup class, the TITAN Warrior Concept was created to take the production version to the extreme. The TITAN Warrior Concept builds on the recent Project Titan, a crowd-sourced customization of an original-generation Titan that sent two U.S. military veterans representing Wounded Warrior Project® on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in Alaska. The new concept truck also pays homage to Nissan’s heritage of off-road racing and adventuring, which goes back to the days of Baja “Hardbody” competition pickups and Paris-Dakar Rally treks.

There is custom lighting front and rear, and a quad-tipped exhaust system integrated into the rear bumper as an in-your-face exclamation point.  Despite the stance and strength that are this trucks image, Nissan says that there are aerodynamic elements including a carbon fiber rear cab and tailgate spoilers.

Styling and Performance

The exterior of the Warrior concept is a custom matte-gunmetal paint called “Thunder” accented with special orange and black highlights.  This is carried through to the interior.  The design team has fleshed it pout with seats covered in carbon-colored high-strength seat fabric with coordinated orange accents.  Materials include carbon fiber, polished chrome and leather.  The instrument panel has the look of a chronograph — clean and utile.

Just as the all-new TITAN XD with its Cummins® 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel engine has bulked up the standards for customers shopping the light-duty pickup class, the TITAN Warrior Concept was created to take the production version to the extreme. The TITAN Warrior Concept builds on the recent Project Titan, a crowd-sourced customization of an original-generation Titan that sent two U.S. military veterans representing Wounded Warrior Project® on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in Alaska. The new concept truck also pays homage to Nissan’s heritage of off-road racing and adventuring, which goes back to the days of Baja “Hardbody” competition pickups and Paris-Dakar Rally treks.

Just as the all-new TITAN XD with its Cummins® 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel engine has bulked up the standards for customers shopping the light-duty pickup class, the TITAN Warrior Concept was created to take the production version to the extreme. The TITAN Warrior Concept builds on the recent Project Titan, a crowd-sourced customization of an original-generation Titan that sent two U.S. military veterans representing Wounded Warrior Project® on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in Alaska. The new concept truck also pays homage to Nissan’s heritage of off-road racing and adventuring, which goes back to the days of Baja “Hardbody” competition pickups and Paris-Dakar Rally treks.

The custom steering wheel is custom-built, milled from a single block of aluminum.  There are hot/cold drink containers integrated into the center console, robust toggle switches in the center stack for ease of use, even with gloves.  Auxiliary gauges are built into the instrument panel for truck monitoring.

Will it ever be built?

I’m suspect that we will not see the Titan Warrior as an available Titan offering, but it is not uncommon for vehicle makers to use their concepts like labs.  The added size could be a turn-off for some truck buyers, as well.  Fabrics, finishes and details can find their way into some other Titans, or — perhaps — in a longed-for Frontier.  For now, it is probably just a striking concept.

 

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