Nissan Just Reminded Everyone That It Still Builds Cars for Drivers

SEMA has always been the auto industry’s yearly stage for creative engineering, big ideas, and bold design. For 2025, Nissan is arriving with serious intent, bringing four concepts built around adventure, performance, and the brand’s ongoing commitment to off-road and motorsport culture.

In line with its marketing shift to harness as much of their nostalgic goodwill as possible, Nissan delivered machines designed to explore, compete, and inspire owners who believe vehicles are tools for pushing boundaries rather than parking lots.

Nissan Dune Patrol: Desert Specialist

Nissan reimagines the Patrol as a serious desert performer with the Dune Patrol concept. Inspired by the model’s rally heritage, it features long-travel suspension, beadlock wheels with oversized off-road tires, integrated MOLLE panels, and prototype NISMO components. On-board air capability and modular cargo systems position it for extended off-grid travel.

The result is a Patrol configured for sand-focused endurance and versatility, blending proven off-road engineering with expedition-ready storage, recovery, and utility upgrades.

Nissan Frontier Rapid Runner: Water-Ready Adventure Truck

Building on the idea behind last year’s Project Trailgater, the Rapid Runner takes the Frontier into water-sport territory. This concept uses Titan-sourced suspension components to widen the track and increase stability, paired with 37-inch tires and tubular doors for rugged exploration.

Gear carriers, kayak mounts, and an outdoor shower support active-lifestyle adventures, from riverside launches to backcountry camping, highlighting Nissan’s interest in multi-terrain outdoor recreation rigs.

Forsberg Racing NISMO GT-Z: Track-Focused Z

Nissan teamed up again with Chris Forsberg to develop the NISMO GT-Z, a circuit-ready evolution of the Z NISMO aimed at track-day and GRIDLIFE competition. The build uses mostly catalog NISMO parts, underscoring Nissan’s push to offer accessible factory-engineered performance upgrades for enthusiasts.

A racing simulator accompanied the vehicle on the show floor, echoing Nissan’s focus on real-world motorsports and virtual driving engagement.

Forsberg Racing Patrol: Classic Meets Extreme Power

The second Forsberg collaboration reimagines a 1990 Y60 Patrol with a modern performance heart. A turbocharged 4.8-liter TB48 inline-six reportedly delivers roughly 1,000 horsepower, turning the classic 4×4 into a high-output desert racer.

This concept blends heritage design with cutting-edge performance tuning, showing how legacy platforms can be elevated to extreme capability while honoring their origins.

Embracing the Nostalgia to Power the Future

Nissan’s 2025 SEMA lineup emphasizes capability, motorsport focus, and adventure-oriented engineering. Instead of theoretical design studies, these builds showcase real components, practical upgrades, and enthusiast-first thinking.

In a landscape increasingly shaped by electrification and urban design trends, Nissan’s showcase reinforces a clear message: the brand remains committed to performance, off-roading, and enthusiast culture, both modern and heritage-driven.