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Nissan Challenges Convention to Build the World's First Seven Seater Bobsleigh +VIDEO


nissan bobsleigh (select to view enlarged photo)
Nissan challenges convention to build the world's first seven-seater bobsleigh

  • Nissan draws on the design and technology of the Nissan X-Trail to transform the standard bobsleigh into a sleek seven-seater
  • Inaugural run of the world’s first seven-seater bobsleigh at the historic Olympic track in Innsbruck, Austria

INSSBURCK, ASTRIA -- January 29, 2016: Nissan has challenged convention with the launch of the world’s first seven-seater bobsleigh in Innsbruck, Austria.

The X-Trail Bobsleigh was inspired by the design of the Nissan X-Trail and undertook its inaugural run at the historic Olympic track in Igls, piloted by British Olympic medallist Sean Olsson.

Nissan worked with bobsleigh experts to transform a traditional four-man sled into an X-Trail inspired seven-seater capable of reaching speeds of over 60mph pulling a G-force of 4.5G*.Watch the video here:




The bobsleigh mimics the Nissan X-Trail’s bold design, with distinctive front aspect, headlamps and seven-seater option. It gives passengers a 360-degree, bird’s-eye view to capture all of the action - identical to the Nissan X-Trail’s Around View Monitor system.

Like the bobsleigh, the X-Trail’s sophisticated ALL MODE 4x4-i system helps the driver keep control even in ice and snow.

Darryl Scriven, Design Manager Nissan Design Europe (NDE), teamed up with expert bobsled manufacturer Diego Menardi and sport expert Ian Richardson to morph car design with Olympic aerodynamics.

Ian Richardson and Diego Menardi have over 50 years of combined experience in the industry, delivering Olympic track experiences and sleighs to winning teams across the globe.

Darryl said: “We wanted to give the opportunity to experience first-hand the adventurous nature of our crossover segment through the thrill and excitement of Olympic bobsleighing.

Nissan Design Europe took inspiration from the shape and character of our X-Trail to create the X-Trail Bobsleigh, which was handcrafted by Diego Menardi at his workshop in Cortina. The outcome mimics the fresh ideas and technologies from the brand's ground-breaking crossover models.”

The seven-seater was developed using sketches and computer-aided design (CAD). The detail on the bobsleigh nose was crafted to express the X-Trail’s V-motion grille and capture the sculpture of the hood character lines.  

This work was complemented by Diego Menardi’s structural lengthening of the cabin to accommodate seven passengers.

Vital statistics: how the X-Trail and X-Trail Bobsleigh compare 

X-TRAIL Tekna 1.6 dCi 4x4

 

VS

X-Trail Bobsleigh
Feature Statistic Feature Statistic
Seats Seven Seats Seven
Height 1,710mm Height 850mm
Length 4,640mm Length 4,200mm
Gross weight 2,160kg Gross weight 895kg
Kerb weight 1,580kg Kerb weight 310kg
Engine size 1.6 dCi Engine size N/A
0-62mph 11 seconds 0-62mph 30 seconds
Top speed 116mph Top speed 65mph
Power 130PS Power 630PS