This is not your garden-variety off-roader. The new Nissan X-Trail Mountain Rescue is a purpose-built Mad-Max style 4WD with one mission in mind; withstand the toughest of conditions. The unique snow-faring vehicle is designed specifically for European ski resorts and comes with the electrified twin-motor e-4ORCE all-wheel drive system for good measure. Make no mistake, if you got caught in a blizzard on the Swiss Alps, you better hope your chalet has one of these in stock.
According to Nissan, the new X-Trail has been extensively modified to suit snow trails, with specific attention paid to the exterior features. In order to facilitate greater movement in the typically uncomfortable terrain, the automaker has removed the basic wheels, replacing them with snow tracks. The switch-up allows for increased traction, while the rear seats have also been thrown out for the installation of a stretcher plus a seat for the doctor.
The red paint job also makes it stand out while a bespoke roof rack has been added to carry an evacuation stretcher and snow shovels plus a siren, and flashing light bar. Of course, more powerful lights have been added to the X-Trail’s roof, as well as additional lights on the hood.
Peer a little closer and you’ll note that Nissan has also toughened up the X-Trail with a wider fender to accommodate the tracks, whilst also modifying the front bumper to fit a winch. A reinforced towing hook has been added to the front and rear bumpers, while footboards have been included on the side since thus X-Trail stands 23cm taller than the road-going version.
Nissan did this to show that a rescue vehicle need not be an old-school ladder-frame behemoth and its e-4ORCE all-wheel-drive system acts quicker than a traditional AWD unit plus provides optimum traction on challenging surfaces. Alongside the role of a rescue vehicle, Nissan will also promote slope etiquette in five European ski resorts with the placement of digital signs that encourage snow riders to slow down where different slopes meet to reduce the risk of collision.
According to Coralie Musy, vice president, Brand & Customer Experience, Nissan AMIEO (Africa, Middle East, India, Europe, and Oceania) region, the new X-Trail not only benefits those in desperate need of help but also showcases the electric platform’s reliability in tough circumstances
“The development of the X-Trail Mountain Rescue and the surrounding campaign is a bold and innovative way to help consumers understand the benefits of Nissan’s advanced electrified all-wheel drive system e-4ORCE,” Musy said. “Thousands of winter sports enthusiasts passing through the five ski stations will see and understand the peace of mind and poise that X-Trail equipped with e-4ORCE delivers on the road.”
The new Nissan X-Trail Mountain Rescue is unlikely to be made commercially available to the public, however, it will be displayed in a glass box at the Italian ski resort of Cervinia. All the more reason to start booking that European getaway.
