Where Buzz Aldrin and company were packed tighter than sardines in
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| Terranaut's interior is simple, but full of interesting touches. Should keep occupants happy for weeks on end. (Photo: Nissan Canada) |
a tin, there's plenty of space for the Terranaut's occupants to move about. The layout of the Terranaut includes two cushy, 'breathable' bucket seats up front and a third chair which faces a 360-degree workstation; more on that later. Driver and passenger have a great, unobstructed view outward thanks to thin pillars, plenty of glass and a simple but cool dashboard layout. The interior's tactile interface of touch-screens and big, chunky knobs and buttons are brought to life in neutral but warm grays and browns for a slightly more humane environment than is often the case amongst SUVs.
After
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| Now if this isn't cool, I don't know what is. It's awesomely geeky, and that's a compliment. (Photo: Nissan Canada) |
fulfilling needs of driver and passenger, the rest of the Terranaut's cabin focuses on the on-board laboratory. The scientific specialist gets the hot seat, sitting on board in a special 360-degree swivel chair that faces a wrap-around desk with integrated keyboard and controls, plus a huge screen that rotates about the desk. This portion of the car, inspired by Star Wars, Star Trek and Wing Commander displays all sorts of environmental and geological information, most of which would confuse the everyday SUV owner. Overhead, providing a skylight is a bubble-shaped pod, which also doubles as an escape hatch should any troubles arise.
I can only imagine the kind of fun that NDE had when coming up with
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| A mobile lab on wheels. That's the best way we can put it. (Photo: Nissan Canada) |
the design list for the Terranaut; some of its details are so wild, yet others make perfect sense. Take for example the built-in sample storage box with air-lock, which pops out the back of the tailgate, or the integrated cookware station and lightweight tent and sleeping bags which sit in individual bins, latched onto the doors. And, if you're wondering what happened to its trunk space; it's been put towards refrigerated storage allowing those on board to stay on the job for time durations upwards of one week.
And
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| Robot-cam and satellite communications devices are standard. (Photo: Nissan Canada) |
then there are the toys, of which the Terranaut has quite a few. There's a satellite dish mounted atop the roof, which swivels in true sci-fi style, linking this mobile laboratory to 'home' base, sending and receiving data. There's also a night-vision camera attached to a robotic arm, which allows those inside the Terranaut to see the world around, even when it's pitch black outside. And seeing that geologists and the like are prime targets, Nissan has given the Terranaut headlight and taillight lenses that mimic polished gemstones.
Eventually, Nissan will bring out a production version of the
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| Terranaut will start life out as the next-gen Terrano/Patrol SUV. (Photo: Nissan Canada) |
Terranaut, sans all the mobile-laboratory gear; it will act as the replacement to the global Terrano/Patrol, which is about as old as the fossils that the geologists driving them from dig to dig are currently pulling out of the ground.
Interestingly, Nissan hasn't disclosed information pertaining to the powertrain and off-roading gear the Terranaut is equipped with, which is slightly ironic, considering these are the foundations of any true exploratory vehicle. A high-displacement (4.0 litre) turbodiesel six cylinder engine, an automatic gearbox and a true, proper low-range transfer case as standard equipment will be included at no charge, no doubt, showing that even as science evolves, with the appearance and content of the off-roader, the basics haven't changed.
Specifications:- Body Type: 3-door SUV
- Layout: front engine, 4WD
- Engine (est.): 4.0L, SOHC I-4 turbodiesel
- Transmission (est.): 6-spd auto
- Dimensions (L/W/H): 4,965/2,100/2,150 mm (195.5/82.7/84.6 in)Website: www.nissan.ca
