Nissan’s Flagship SUV Goes Full Prerunner as a Rugged Desert Rig Packed with NISMO Upgrades

While there’s no denying that the discontinuation of the R35 GT-R meant the loss of an iconic sports car, thankfully, Nissan has since used it as an opportunity to explore the performance capabilities of other vehicles in its fleet.

Along with dropping a tasty new Z Heritage Edition, the brand also introduced the first-ever NISMO package for the Armada in the model’s 22-year existence. For that matter, even Infiniti is getting in on the action through projects like QX80 R-Spec and the Skyline 400R.

Nissan

But now Nissan has turned its attention to off-road. As part of its SEMA build efforts for 2025, the brand has transformed its flagship Armada into a rugged, desert-ready rig.

An exercise in desert prep

Nissan has dubbed it the ‘Dune Patrol,’ and the build’s name speaks to more than its sand-crossing intentions. As is the case with the Land Cruiser and the Prado, outside of the United States, the Armada is known by an even more legendary name: the Patrol.

Nissan

To ensure that the rig could live up to its new badging (it literally dons different lettering), Nissan based it around an Armada PRO-4X. As such, features like adaptive electronic air suspension, an electronic locking rear differential and underbody metal skid plates were already standard from the factory.

Of course, for all its off-road chops, even a PRO-4X isn’t really equipped to handle the demands of desert duty.

Nissan

Accordingly, the team fitted the Dune Patrol with a CJD Racing long-travel suspension system, Bilstein dampers, a set of bespoke FiberWerx prerunner-inspired fenders and quarter panels, as well as some 18-inch NISMO beadlock wheels shod in 37-inch Yokohama rubber. 

Wrapped in a custom Dune Patrol wrap, the Armada certainly looks the part of a sand-slinging prerunner (even if it’s not likely to be sent flying off jumps). As cool as the rig is in concept, though, it’s Nissan’s accessories that take the build to the next level.

Nissan

Exploration-ready Armada

That’s because, in addition to the above modifications, Nissan has equipped the Dune Patrol Armada with an array of custom and prototype parts from its NISMO off-road catalog.

On the protection side of things, this means high-clearance bumpers, frame-mounted rock sliders, skid plates and a swing-out spare with a traction board mount. Naturally, Nissan also fitted the SUV with some off-road lighting to help see the way ahead.

Nissan

And that’s not all. Elsewhere, Nissan equipped the Dune Patrol with a roof rack featuring a number of storage solutions for hauling supplies in remote locales. Along with some roof-mounted cases, you’ll find some MOLLE panels for fuel and water. 

Rounded out by a custom cat-back exhaust system, an on-board air compressor and a long-range radio antenna, the result is a Nissan that provides all the off-road rig inspiration you’ll ever need.

Nissan

Previewing NISMO prototypes

While it’s easy to dismiss a SEMA build as a flight of fancy or some unrealistic pipe dream, this concept does have real-world implications.

Sure, Nissan isn’t likely to offer an Armada this capable from the factory any time soon. However, many of the parts that appear on the rig are NISMO prototypes (i.e., everything from the wheels and the bumpers to the rack and the rock sliders), and, with enough interest, they could enter production.

All the more so because, in the wake of the GT-R and amidst an ongoing resurgence effort, Nissan is keen to show that vehicles like the Armada are packed with enthusiast potential.

Nissan

Nissan Dune Patrol Concept

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