Sports

Nissan's new X-Trail has steel runners instead of wheels

Nissan's new X-Trail has steel runners instead of wheels
Nissan's seven-seater X-Trail Bobsleigh
Nissan's seven-seater X-Trail Bobsleigh
View 7 Images
The X-Trail Bobsleigh can accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 30 seconds and tops out at 65 mph (105 km/h)
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The X-Trail Bobsleigh can accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 30 seconds and tops out at 65 mph (105 km/h)
The X-Trail Bobsleigh's first run took place at the Igls Olympic track in Innsbruck, Austria
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The X-Trail Bobsleigh's first run took place at the Igls Olympic track in Innsbruck, Austria
Nissan's seven-seater X-Trail Bobsleigh
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Nissan's seven-seater X-Trail Bobsleigh
The X-Trail Bobsleigh draws on the design and technology of the Nissan X-Trail crossover vehicle
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The X-Trail Bobsleigh draws on the design and technology of the Nissan X-Trail crossover vehicle
The X-Trail Bobsleigh was designed using the same process employed by Nissan when it developed the X-Trail car
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The X-Trail Bobsleigh was designed using the same process employed by Nissan when it developed the X-Trail car
Detailing on the nose of the X-Trail Bobsleigh references the grille and the hood lines of the X-Trail car
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Detailing on the nose of the X-Trail Bobsleigh references the grille and the hood lines of the X-Trail car
The X-Trail Bobsleigh is 4,200 mm (165 in) long and weighs 895 kg (1,973 lb)
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The X-Trail Bobsleigh is 4,200 mm (165 in) long and weighs 895 kg (1,973 lb)
View gallery - 7 images

Nissan has taken a break from car-making to build what it says is the world's first seven-seater bobsleigh. The company says the X-Trail Bobsleigh draws on the design and technology of its X-Trail crossover vehicle.

In order to deliver the project, Nissan teamed up with bobsled manufacturer Diego Menardi and with Ian Richardson, an expert in the sport. Their expertise would help inform how to convert a conventional four-man sled into a seven-seater.

"The process that we've employed on this project is completely the same as when we were developing the car," explains design manager of Nissan Design Europe Darryl Scriven. "We start with a sketch and we move it all the way through the digital workflow, right the way through to a physical asset."

The final design of the bobsleigh mimics that of the X-Trail. The number of seats is, of course, the same, while detailing on the nose references its grille and hood lines.

The sled is 4,200 mm (165 in) long and weighs 895 kg (1,973 lb). It can accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 30 seconds and tops out at 65 mph (105 km/h). Those onboard are subjected to g-forces of up to 4.5.

The sled's first run took place at the Igls Olympic track in Innsbruck, Austria. It was piloted by British Olympic medallist Sean Olsson.

The video below provides a look at the project.

Source: Nissan

Behind the scenes world's first 7-seater bobsleigh with Nissan X-Trail

View gallery - 7 images
2 comments
2 comments
MQ
Ridiculous marketing.
Maybe sled runners for cars in icy countries for future models. (unlikely, though a practical addition for a select few.)
Nextweek, x-trail ice boat.
Bob Stuart
It is sad to see an R&D department that has given up on practical goals. I only read this assuming there had been one. Also, has anyone ever written a song about their hot "physical asset?" These are not car people.