Nissan has presented an emergency rescue concept vehicle based on its Navara pick-up at the IAA Hannover Motor Show.
The EnGuard concept vehicle features two prototype portable battery packs, using the same technology already used to power the Nissan Leaf and e-NV200 production models. However, in this instance the battery packs are charged by the Navara’s diesel engine and can be deployed to power rescue or disaster recovery equipment.
Each 2kW battery pack utilises seven Nissan EV battery modules inside a weatherproof aluminium housing. With zero emissions and no flammable fuel, the battery packs could be used in enclosed spaces such as a building or cave, where a petrol generator would not be viable.
The EnGuard concept has seen the regular Navara LCV repurposed as a mobile base for rescue workers, with a payload designed to provide life-saving support in remote locations and challenging circumstances. It even features an advanced drone to provide intelligence back to the rescue crews about what dangers they might face.
The vehicle’s ride height has been raised by 50mm for extra ground clearance, and both front and rear tracks have been increased to 1,620mm to provide extra stability over rough terrain. The standard 18-inch alloy wheels have been replaced with heavier-duty 16-inch rims with 285/75/R16 off-road tyres.
Bespoke over-fenders have been fitted to the front and rear wheel arches, along with moulded side steps. On the driver’s side A-pillar is a snorkel, raising the engine’s air intake should the vehicle need to wade through rivers.
The tailgate features a moulded liner and high-level stop light, relocated from its regular position in the rear of the dual-cab passenger compartment. The tailgate lowers to reveal a load bed packed with rescue equipment, stored in two pull-out trays for ease access by emergency workers. Each tray is made from twin-skin fibreglass and extends 800mm.
The shallow upper tray extends the full width of the load bed and contains lightweight items such as two-way radios, torches, fire extinguisher, ropes and climbing gear, a shovel and an axe. The lower tray is deeper and narrower, occupying only the central third of the vehicle’s load bed. It is used to store larger items such as an oxygen tank and resuscitation kit, life jackets and buoyancy aids.
Flanking the tray, occupying the left and right sections of the load bed, are the two battery packs. When docked in place, the battery packs are constantly in ‘charge’ mode, using power generated by the vehicle’s diesel engine to ensure they’re ready for emergency use when required.
The left and right upper edges of the EnGuard’s rear deck include motorised pop-up storage solutions. On the driver’s side, there is a portable first-aid kit to treat simple injuries, plus a portable defibrillator. On the passenger side is a 20.5-inch HD screen, which is designed to display live-streaming video from the drone.
The drone is a DJI Phantom 4 unit with an operating ceiling of 6,000 metres. It can fly at speeds of up to 20 metres per second for close to 30 minutes. Its 12.4 megapixel camera has video and stills image capability, and is mounted on a gimbal for three-axis stability. When on board the Navara EnGuard, it is stored in the lower rear tray.
Adjacent to the pop-ups are integrated power sockets – four in total, two on each side of the load bed – which are hidden behind individual machined aluminium covers. Each side of the vehicle has an input and output socket, and all are connected to the portable battery packs for their power.
The rear deck is finished with a recessed anodised metal rail at each side, allowing adjustable cleats to be attached so additional cargo can be carried. The rails are identical to the ones used in the load bed of the standard Nissan Navara. Two further storage lockers have been integrated into a new rollover hoop behind the C-pillar.
