CompleteCar

Snow joke as Nissan builds one-off 370Zki

Snow joke as Nissan builds one-off 370Zki Snow joke as Nissan builds one-off 370Zki Snow joke as Nissan builds one-off 370Zki Snow joke as Nissan builds one-off 370Zki Snow joke as Nissan builds one-off 370Zki Snow joke as Nissan builds one-off 370Zki Snow joke as Nissan builds one-off 370Zki Snow joke as Nissan builds one-off 370Zki Snow joke as Nissan builds one-off 370Zki Snow joke as Nissan builds one-off 370Zki Snow joke as Nissan builds one-off 370Zki Snow joke as Nissan builds one-off 370Zki Snow joke as Nissan builds one-off 370Zki Snow joke as Nissan builds one-off 370Zki Snow joke as Nissan builds one-off 370Zki Snow joke as Nissan builds one-off 370Zki Snow joke as Nissan builds one-off 370Zki
Nissan 370Z Roadster converted into a snow machine for Chicago Auto Show display.

What's the news?

Nissan has created a one-off 370Z/skidoo mash-up, which it has dubbed the 370Zki - and it's making its debut at the 2018 Chicago Auto Show.

Based on a 370Z Roadster, the 370Zki (pronounced 370-Ski) has had its high-performance tyres on big alloys replaced with skis at the front and a pair of snow tracks at the back. Power comes from the standard 3.7-litre V6, delivering 332hp and 366Nm to the rear, um, tracks. Although a pleasant diversion for Nissan, the idea of the 370Zki is to promote the company's range of winter-beating SUVs that are on sale in the US.

The 370Z conversion process required the Nissan's entire drivetrain to be removed, before a custom lift kit was designed and engineered to raise the vehicle three inches (76mm) from the normal height. Then a set of custom mountings for the rear suspension springs and three-inch customer spacers to mount the snow tracks to the wheel hubs were required. The standard factory brakes and steering were retained, although the brake lines had to be re-routed and the exhaust system was modified to fit under the 370Zki.

Front suspension modifications and spacers were also required, while the engine and transmission were custom-mounted back into the body - and a front skid plate was fabricated to prevent damage to the underside during snow excursions. The visuals were easier; a custom body wrap was created and applied by Icon Image Graphics, while the yellow-tinted headlights are supposed to resemble ski goggles.

Michael Bunce, vice-president for Product Planning for Nissan North America, said: "The Nissan 370Zki continues our recent tradition of bringing imaginative winter vehicle concepts to the Chicago Auto Show. With the Nissan Z's long heritage of motorsports competition, the 370Zki seemed like a natural combination. Prior to its debut here in Chicago, we put the 370Zki through its paces on the slopes in Wyoming where its performance heritage really came through."

Anything else?

If you want to watch the 370Zki in action on the snowy slopes of Wyoming, then there's a short video you can enjoy right here.

<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/K3aFtwRjnJc" width="560" height="315"></iframe>

Written by
Published on February 6, 2018