The Nissan Navara Dark Sky is a 2018 concept pickup turned mobile space observatory, built with the European Space Agency to tow an observatory-class telescope on a bespoke off-road trailer deep into dark sky locations far from light pollution. In short, it is a rugged Navara pickup that lets astronomers and adventurers go stargazing in the back of a truck, wherever the clearest night skies are found.
What is the Nissan Navara Dark Sky concept?
Based on the familiar Nissan Navara pickup truck, the Dark Sky concept is a mobile astronomy lab equipped with a state-of-the-art telescope mounted in a bespoke off-road trailer. Nissan presented this striking concept truck, the Navara Dark Sky Concept, at the 2018 Hannover Motor Show. It was created to support the search for the universe from hard-to-reach locations, the kind of deep sky truck that turns any remote site into a temporary observatory.
How powerful is the Navara Dark Sky and its trailer?
The truck was made in collaboration with the European Space Agency to tow a special trailer carrying a telescope module off-road. The all-new Navara Dark Sky Concept is a ruggedized pickup pulling a heavy-duty off-road trailer, built for transporting astronomers deep into the wilds, far from the light pollution of civilization. In terms of power, the Navara has more than enough to move the observatory-class telescope and attached trailer. The 2.3 liter twin-turbo diesel engine produces 187 horsepower (139 kilowatts) and 331 pound-feet (450 newton-meters) of torque, giving the rig the muscle to reach remote dark sky sites.
Why was the Dark Sky concept built?
The concept is a brilliant example of Nissan serving as an authentic partner, empowering customers to go anywhere, in the words of Ashwani Gupta, then senior vice president of Nissan's light commercial vehicle business. The Navara looks similar to its production version, but the standout element is the trailer. The telescope it tows is incredibly powerful and capable of viewing distant galaxies, nebulae and details beyond the rings of Saturn, the perfect telescope vehicle for serious stargazing. You can read the full reveal in Nissan's official announcement.
Where to find adventure-ready vehicles at TheArsenale
If the Navara Dark Sky inspires your own off-grid expeditions, TheArsenale curates extreme overland and all-terrain machines in the same spirit. Discover the Petrology x TheArsenale Land Rover Defender 90 for refined off-road touring, the amphibious Sherp ATV all-terrain vehicle for the most remote terrain, and the electric EQUAD ATV for quiet exploration. Browse the full cars collection to find your next adventure machine.
