This Tank-Tracked Nissan X-Trail Is Ready For Mountain Rescue Duty

If you’re a mountain rescue worker with a penchant for SUVs, you may be struggling to find something to scratch that itch. As capable as they can be, even the hardiest of 4x4s simply don’t have the factory-fresh skillset to be able to take on the challenges of a rapid response rescue service in such treacherous terrains. However, Nissan may have just the thing for you.

The Japanese manufacturer has a tendency to fit tank tracks to cars you wouldn’t expect, having previously done so to a Juke and even a 370Z before that. Mind you, those were exercises in dicking around - whereas this X-Trail has been kitted out with serious use in mind.

Also separating the X-Trail a little further from those cars is the fact those treads are connected to the two electric motors of the SUV's powertrain, rather than just an internal combustion engine. The benefit of this, Nissan says, is the car can react to changes in grip ‘approximately 1000 times quicker’ than a traditional system, which is easy to see the benefit of in the volatile snowy conditions of a mountain.

Changes don’t stop at the addition of treads, though. A roof rack designed specifically to fit a stretcher and snow shovels has been fitted, along with a siren and an LED lightbar. Both bumpers have been reinforced and have tow hooks installed, while there’s a winch mounted at the front too. Rocket Bunny-esque wide wheel arches complete the look.

The rear seats have been shed to make room for a stretcher too, with plenty of extra equipment including radios and a Garmin display also fitted.

Don’t get too excited about blowing all of your mountain rescue funds on this X-Trail just yet, though. It sounds as though Nissan has no plans to offer this as a conversion, or even put this show car into use. Rather, it’ll be put on display at a resort in Cervinia, Italy.