Nissan brought some heat to SEMA with the Armada-based Dune Patrol, and it is exactly the kind of wild, parts-rich concept that makes you start mentally building a shopping list. The full-size SUV looks purpose built for fast desert work, but the headline here is not just the stance or the lights. It is the long menu of prototype Nismo bits that feel one step away from a real parts catalog.
Start with the suspension. The Dune Patrol runs a custom long-travel setup with 10.0 inch 2.5 Bilstein M9200 coilovers, revised upper and lower control arms, new drive axles, front spindles, trailing arms, and tie rods, plus extended brake lines. Nissan quotes up to 16.0 inches of articulation from the CJD Racing long-travel geometry, the kind of number that makes whoops feel small and landings drama free.
The rolling stock is equally serious. Prototype bronze Nismo AXIS beadlock wheels measure 18 inches and wear 37-inch Yokohama Geolandar M/T rubber. To clear the tires and keep approach and departure angles clean, the truck gets prototype high-clearance bumpers with an integrated front skid plate and recovery shackles. There are rock sliders along the sills, a low-profile roof rack, A-pillar lights, a 40 inch front LED bar, a 30 inch rear LED bar, and MOLLE panels for tying down the little stuff that always rattles around on trail days. Out back there is a modular accessory mount and swing-out spare carrier that looks ready for dunes, deserts, or both.
Powertrain changes are kept low key, which makes sense given the new Armada’s factory muscle. The production SUV already packs a twin-turbo 3.5 liter V6 with up to 425 hp and 516 lb ft, routed through a 9 speed automatic. On the concept, Nissan adds a prototype Nismo cat-back exhaust, but otherwise leaves the strong VR35DDTT to do its thing. That should make the Dune Patrol feel quick enough to match its suspension bravado.
Not everything here is a prototype. Inside, the Dune Patrol shows a handful of off-the-shelf accessories like high-wall floor mats, door scuff protectors, and seatback organizers. That split personality is the tell. Nissan is using SEMA to float the idea that the rest of the hardware could follow those accessories onto order forms if the response is strong. The company has already leaned into Nismo Off Road parts for other models, so expanding to Armada owners who actually use their trucks off pavement feels like a natural next step.
SEMA concepts are often pure fantasy, but this one reads like a test bed for real-world upgrades. Bilstein bypass dampers, true beadlocks, long-travel geometry, practical lighting, and recovery solutions are exactly what owners bolt on anyway. Bundle them with Nismo engineering and validation, and you have a package that could turn an already improved Armada into a legit desert runner without a mountain of custom fab work. That is a compelling thought for anyone who spends weekends airing down and chasing horizons.
Nissan also showed a handful of other builds in Las Vegas, but the Dune Patrol is the one that feels most attainable. If even a slice of these prototype parts makes it to the Nismo catalog, expect a wave of sand-ready Armadas to follow. Until then, this concept does its job. It plants a seed, shows what fits, and gets owners dreaming up their own version the moment they see it.
Lloyd Tobias is a seasoned automotive journalist and passionate enthusiast with over 15 years of experience immersed in the world of cars. Whether it’s exploring the latest advancements in automotive technology or keeping a close pulse on breaking industry news, Lloyd brings a sharp perspective and a deep appreciation for all things automotive. His writing blends technical insight with real-world enthusiasm, making his contributions both informative and engaging for readers who share his love for the drive. When he’s not behind the keyboard or under the hood, Lloyd enjoys test driving the newest models and staying ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving automotive landscape.
