MONTREAL: When Nissan adapted the Rogue for winter driving, it probably did it tongue-in-cheek as the video below showed.
It announced last week a surprise debut at the 2016 Montreal International Auto Show - a crossover demonstrating no fear for the harshest winter conditions and a new icon for Nissan's winter-ready crossover family – a Rogue equipped with a full snow track system.
Named the "Rogue Warrior," Nissan's number one-selling product in Canada has been transformed into an extreme prototype, which sits on heavy-duty snow tracks measuring 30"/76 cm in height, 48"/122 cm in length and the individual track width is 15"/38 cm.
The Rogue Warrior was modified entirely by Quebec-based Motorsports in Action (MIA), using the Dominator track system from American Track Truck. Besides the tracks, adjustments to suspension, and application of custom snow guards and minor body tunings to make room for the tracks, the Rogue remains stock. The production Rogue's advanced Xtronic® transmission remains untouched, as does the AWD drivetrain.
Rogue Warrior has the ability to perform in a variety of environments, but is specifically designed to handle snowy conditions. It is capable of driving up to 100kph, scaling a 45 degree grade in groomed snow, and has a ground clearance of 23"/58 cm.
Nissan said the Xtronic transmission was suited to the snow track system. A wider gear ratio range allows for stronger acceleration from a standing start and the D-Step shifting logic allows rapid shifts at high throttle openings.
The Rogue remains the best-selling vehicle in the Nissan line-up with annual sales of 35,841 units, up 24.3 per cent over 2014. Completely redesigned for model year 2014, the Rogue was one of the top 10 most sold vehicles in Canada in June, July, August and December.
"In the automotive industry, it's the norm to develop a prototype and show it to the world through photos or a static auto show display, but with the Rogue Warrior – we had to do something more," says Steve Rhind, director of marketing at Nissan Canada.
"When the all-wheel drive system on the Rogue and Nissan's advanced Xtronic transmission are matched with snow tracks, it results in something spectacular – a Rogue capable of overcoming severe, off-road winter conditions. This video shows an entertaining side of our brand's persona, and does justice to the extreme capabilities of the Rogue Warrior - an idea developed and executed entirely in Canada."
