2006 Nissan Terranaut Concept
I can only imagine the kind of fun that NDE had when coming up with the design list for the Terranaut; some of its details are so wild, yet others make perfect sense. Take for example the built-in sample storage box with air-lock, which pops out the back of the tailgate, or the integrated cookware station and lightweight tent and sleeping bags which sit in individual bins, latched onto the doors. And, if you’re wondering what happened to its trunk space; it’s been put towards refrigerated storage allowing those on board to stay on the job for time durations upwards of one week.
And then there are the toys, of which the Terranaut has quite a few. There’s a satellite dish mounted atop the roof, which swivels in true sci-fi style, linking this mobile laboratory to ‘home’ base, sending and receiving data. There’s also a night-vision camera attached to a robotic arm, which allows those inside the Terranaut to see the world around, even when it’s pitch black outside. And seeing that geologists and the like are prime targets, Nissan has given the Terranaut headlight and taillight lenses that mimic polished gemstones.
Eventually, Nissan will bring out a production version of the Terranaut, sans all the mobile-laboratory gear; it will act as the replacement to the global Terrano/Patrol, which is about as old as the fossils that the geologists driving them from dig to dig are currently pulling out of the ground.
Interestingly, Nissan hasn’t disclosed information pertaining to the powertrain and off-roading gear the Terranaut is equipped with, which is slightly ironic, considering these are the foundations of any true exploratory vehicle. A high-displacement (4.0 litre) turbodiesel six cylinder engine, an automatic gearbox and a true, proper low-range transfer case as standard equipment will be included at no charge, no doubt, showing that even as science evolves, with the appearance and content of the off-roader, the basics haven’t changed.
Specifications:
- Body Type: 3-door SUV
- Layout: front engine, 4WD
- Engine (est.): 4.0L, SOHC I-4 turbodiesel
- Transmission (est.): 6-spd auto
- Dimensions (L/W/H): 4,965/2,100/2,150 mm (195.5/82.7/84.6 in)
- Website: www.nissan.ca