Sources close
to the full size truck team at Nissan told us that the Alpha Truck was
going to be 'over-the-top', but just check out this radical full size
concept pickup. Those same sources also tell us that the Alpha is quite
different from the full size truck Nissan intends to put into production
for the 2003 model year. Again, this is not the same truck bound for production.
Created by
Metalcrafters, the Southern California concept car creators best known
for turning out Chrysler's perennial show car stunners, the Alpha is a
fully driveable prototype meant to provide a feeling of dynamics beyond
its edgy looks.
Designers
at the Nissan Technical Center in Japan have taken a cue from the same
pages as GMC's Terradyne
concept, which debuted at last year's North American Auto Show. The aT
Concept uses strong industrial design cues to create a clean and efficient
exterior that give the truck the same vibes you might get when you hold
a power tool in your hands. Tim Allen would be proud.
Shiro
Nakamura, the same designer who penned Isuzu's VehiCross, says that, "Nissan
is following our tradition of building authentic, hard working, hard playing
pickups like the 2001 Nissan Frontier. We want to appeal to the true truck
lover's desire for a big, powerful, aggressive looking vehicle with more
than just a little edge to it."
The prominent
front grille reflects Nissan design heritage and is taken from the successful
Hardbody compact pickups of the 1980s. The four door body is styled in
the same manner as the Terradyne with the two rear doors a cross between
crew cab and extended cab functionality. If SEMA seemed to be a coming
out party for 20-inch production wheels, the aT takes pickup truck concept
wheels to the next level with it's very large 22.5-inch rims and 265/60R22.5
off-road tires. The tailgate turns into a cargo loader and provides an
integrated tool box.
Inside the
at Concept the industrial design themes continue. The drilled metal dash
and brushed aluminum steering wheel remind the driver they are driving
a piece of machinery. Saddle leather seats are made to be durable yet
luxurious and, to ensure you don't get lost on the way to a job, a retractable
navigation system can be called upon at any time.
A 4.5-liter,
300 horsepower V8 resides under the Alpha's hood. Controlled by a 4-speed
automatic transmission the Alpha also features four wheel drive.
Look for
more coverage about Nissan's Alpha Truck Concept as PickupTruck.com travels
to Detroit January 6-9, 2001 for the North American International Auto
Show.
Shiro
Nakamura, the same designer who penned Isuzu's VehiCross, says that, "Nissan
is following our tradition of building authentic, hard working, hard playing
pickups like the 2001 Nissan Frontier. We want to appeal to the true truck
lover's desire for a big, powerful, aggressive looking vehicle with more
than just a little edge to it."
