Feb. 10--Forget the chairlift; take the crossover.
In the wacky world of automaker marketing, Nissan unveiled three concepts that use tanklike heavy-duty snow tracks in place of wheels to plow into or over the 2016 Chicago Auto Show.
On the same day we run a feature on why concept cars matter, and how concept cars "literally will shape the direction" of future products, at least according to Acura's Dave Marek, we recieve this news that will never make it into production.
But the Winter Warrior concepts from Nissan are pretty cool for winter-loving snowbirds.
The all-wheel-drive Rogue, Murano, and Pathfinder crossovers are equipped with four sets of 48-inch-long, 30-inch-high, and 15-inch-wide tracks made by American Track Truck. The suspensions and wheel wells were modified, but Nissan insists that the powertrains remain the same.
The Winter Warriors also have a matte red chrome body, cargo area protectors, roof racks laden with skis and boards, bumper protectors and other outdoor gear that pumps the hearts of downhill nuts.
The 9x9 hatch tent adds a whole new level to the notion of apres ski.
The hawk-eyed LEDs of the Murano look especially fierce carving uphill on snow-track triangles.
Unfortunately, and I mean that sincerely, Chicago has had an awfully lame winter as far as snowfall. The auspicious Thanksgiving dumping of 11.2 inches at O'Hare International Airport hasn't been matched all season, though we've had plenty of terribly useless winter rain.
The video, shot at Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, Wis., according to a Nissan rep, makes it seem otherwise. We're pretty sure the stability control was off.
Expect to see the three Nissan Winter Warriors at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show, which runs Saturday to Feb. 21. Rest assured, the cold will be back and hopefully the Warriors bring some snow.
Correction: A previous version indicated there would be a social media promotion if you spotted a Nissan Winter Warrior in Chicago on Wednesday, February 10. That promotion has been cancelled.
rduffer@tribpub.com
