Nissan Xterra Project X Concept

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What is it?
Nissan Xterra Project X Concept

What's special about it?
You've gotta feel for the in-house engineers and technical guys at the carmakers. As enthusiasts as well as employees, they must view what the aftermarket shops get to do with awe as well as pride, but there has to be some envy mixed in as well. After all, they must be itching to show the world what they could do if their employers loosened up the reins and let their creativity roam on a project vehicle.

That's what Nissan has done here, and the result is the Project X, otherwise known in company circles as the ultimate Xterra.

The engineers at the Nissan Technical Center North America (NTC-NA) — an $80 million facility in Farmington Hills, Michigan — combed the company parts bins as well as the catalogs of leading-edge aftermarket suppliers to build an Xterra that they could proudly display at SEMA.

Happy with the unique styling statement inherent in the Xterra's exterior design, the only modifications to the outside of Project X are about function, not form. (Hey, we're talking about engineers, so what did you expect?) We do have to admit, though, that the Calmini off-road bumpers and rocker skids do give the Xterra a meaner, more purposeful appearance.

Well, OK, even engineers need to show off occasionally, especially at SEMA, and this explains the custom paint scheme applied by the self-described "Merchants of Cool," a.k.a. Drew Brothers Customs of Phoenix, Arizona.

What's really cool is lurking under the hood. Gone is the standard V6 powerplant, and wedged into place in its stead is a 317-horsepower 5.6-liter V8 and a five-speed automatic transmission from the 2008 Nissan Titan pickup. No modifications have been made to the engine other than a custom 2.5-inch mandrel bent exhaust system by Apache Muffler.

Handling the increased power is an Advance Adapters two-speed transfer case working through front and rear driveshafts created by Tom Wood's Custom Driveshafts.

Off-road prowess has been further stepped up with the addition of American Axle electronic stabilizer-bar disconnects, a GKN electronic-locking front differential, and a Calmini 5-inch lift kit. Taking full advantage of the latter are custom-made Centerline wheels wrapped in 33-inch BFGoodrich off-road rubber.

Nissan engineers know that the increased elevation of Project X might create visibility issues during tricky off-road maneuvers, so they installed a VisorView video monitoring system with cameras located at the front, rear and under the body.

Wet Okole waterproof neoprene seat covers, a Clarion DVD multimedia stereo head unit and Rockford Fosgate amplifiers and speakers complete the modifications.

What's Edmunds' take?
Besides showing off the off-road possibilities of the rugged Xterra, this project demonstrates the enthusiasm and expertise of the Nissan engineers who built it — things that could trickle down to future products. — Patrick Paternie, Contributor