Nissan has converted a 370Z Roadster into a one off snowmobile. Dubbed as “370Zki” (pronounced 370 Ski), the 332 hp snowmobile is ready to tackle ski slopes and backwoods trails alike with its front skis and rear snow tracks replacing the iconic sports car’s usual high performance tires, said Nissan.
To make room for the rear Dominator Tracks from American Track Truck, the entire drivetrain was first removed from the Roadster. Then a custom lift kit was designed and engineered, lifting the vehicle three inches from the normal height. Next came fabrication of custom mountings for the rear suspension springs and 3-inch custom spacers to mount the snow tracks to the wheel hubs. The factory brakes were retained but the brake lines had to be rerouted and the exhaust system was modified to fit under the vehicle. The rear wheel wells were also modified for clearance of the four-foot-long snow tracks.
At front, the suspension was modified to accommodate the new ride height, and adaptors were made to allow the appropriate travel and rotation for the front skis – which were also supplied by American Track Truck, and mounted with spacers to the stock wheel hubs. The engine and transmission also had to be custom-mounted and a front skid plate fabricated to prevent damage during snow excursions.
By comparison, the cosmetic part of the conversion was relatively easy. The custom body wrap was created and applied by Icon Image Graphics and the headlights were tinted yellow to resemble ski goggles, the company said.
The 3.7-litre V6 develops 332 hp and 270 lb-ft (366 Nm) of torque, paired to a 7-Speed automatic transmission sending power to the rear wheels. Or in this case, sending power to the rear tracks.
The Nissan 370Zki will be on public display at the 2018 Chicago Auto Show, which runs Feb 10-19 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
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