Nissan Navara EnGuard Concept – the ultimate rescue truck with portable EV battery packs, drone

Nissan has revealed the Navara EnGuard Concept at the 2016 Hannover Motor Show. Nissan Design Europe says that the EnGuard, based on a the top Double Cab Tekna version of the UK-spec Navara, was designed to operate as a life-saving rescue platform in some of the world’s most harsh and extreme environments. It features many bespoke design elements and equipment, including a drone.

The EnGuard also marks the world debut of a prototype portable battery pack, designed and developed by Nissan. It utilises the brand’s proven EV battery tech as seen in the Leaf and e-NV200. When docked, the battery packs are constantly in ‘charge’ mode, using power generated by the truck’s 2.3 litre 190 PS diesel engine.

Each is a 2kW unit and is made up of seven battery modules inside a weather-proof machined aluminium housing. Two input sockets and five output sockets are integrated into each battery pack, which features recessed ends to allow it to be carried easily.

In a rescue environment, they could be used to operate specialist cutting or heavy-lifting equipment, and have been specifically designed to provide an efficient alternative to a petrol-powered generator. With zero emissions and no flammable fuel, the portable battery packs can also be used in enclosed spaces such as in a building or a cave. Additional power sockets are integrated into each side of the truck’s bed.

Occupying the rest of the bed are two pull-out fibreglass trays. The shallow upper tray contains light items such as two-way radios, ropes and an axe. The deeper and narrower lower tray takes big items such as an oxygen tank and resuscitation kit, life jackets and buoyancy aids.

Key to this Navara’s rescue role is a DJI Phantom 4 drone with an operating ceiling of 6,000 metres. Weighing just 1.38 kg, it can fly at speeds of up to 20 metres per second for close to 30 minutes and can relay images back to the concept truck, viewed on a pop-up HD screen hidden in the bed wall.

Compared to the standard Navara, the overall ride height of the EnGuard Concept has been raised by 50 mm, creating extra ground clearance and further enhancing the vehicle’s ‘go anywhere’ attitude. The wheel arches feature bespoke overfenders, with new moulded side steps between them, and a snorkel has been added. The truck sits on a fully adjustable performance suspension system with uprated nylon bushes to further improve off-road capability.

The passenger compartment features a completely redesigned roof line, which is 136 mm higher than on the standard truck. It incorporates a 360-degree LED lighting rig, with emergency blue strobe lights fitted to the four corners and visible from any angle. Matching strobes are integrated into the top of all four overfenders, plus in the redesigned front fog lamps and redesigned rear light clusters.

“The Navara EnGuard Concept opens a new chapter in the Nissan Intelligent Mobility vision, featuring our commitment to zero fatalities and zero emissions. Our prototype EV portable battery pack reveals how Nissan will integrate its world-renowned EV battery technology and expertise into new sectors in the future,” said Philippe Guerin-Boutaud, corporate VP of light commercial vehicles at Nissan.

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.