Nissan's Project Rugged Rogue SEMA Concept Backs Up Its Name

With the 2023 SEMA Show just days away, Nissan is showing off a unique Rogue SUV slated for the convention floor in Las Vegas. Known as the Nissan Project Rugged Rogue, this modified SUV, unveiled Friday, packs a ton of beefed-up parts aimed at turning the midsizer into a proper off-road camping rig.

This new concept SUV from Nissan is based on a stock 2024 model year Rogue, which made its official debut earlier this month. Under the hood sits a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine, which provides 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. The engine comes exclusively mated to the brand’s Xtronic CVT gearbox. In order to make this Rogue ready for trail duty, Nissan turned to its internal specialist at NISMO for help. That process started with a custom 3-inch NISMO Off Road lift kit, which works in tandem with a set of bespoke NISMO Off Road wheels. Measuring 8.5 inches in width, the wheels will also fit on a Pathfinder, or any other truck with the 5x114.3 bolt pattern. The automaker wrapped those wheels in a set of Yokohama GeoLandar M/T rubber. A set of custom carbon fiber fender flares do their best to mask the larger tires, while NISMO Off Road rock rails protect the body. A unique dual-exit exhaust rounds out the mechanical changes.