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. Unveiled at the Hannover Motor Show in Germany, the Dark Sky concept was developed in the U.K. in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA).

The concept car showcases how a truck like the Navara could support the ESA's intense efforts to map the stars by helping astronomers conduct follow-up observations from hard-to-reach locations. Of course, the Dark Sky concept won't become a production model, but Nissan will donate the telescope "to pass on the spirit of exploration and adventure, and to inspire and educate future generations." In addition to the bespoke trailer, the Navara also boasts unique features and technology that's not available on the production truck. Find out more in the review below.

Continue reading to learn more about the Nissan Navara Dark Sky Concept.

Exterior

Up front, Nissan added reinforced over-riders to the grille, while a new front chin guard gives the truck a more purposeful look. Inside the guard, there's a winch to get the astronauts out of trouble when needed. The roof structure was strengthened to carry bags, supplies, and equipment, and it now extends back over the bed to incorporate new roll bars and a transmitter.

Each wheel arch extension features lashing points for extra practicality, while the 20-inch alloy wheels, which are unique to this vehicle, are wrapped in off-road tires. Both the rear bumper and the side step were restyled, while the taillights have a darker tint.

Exterior lighting was a major concern for Nissan, which added red night lights at the corners, high-intensity white lights on the roof, and more red lights behind the roof to illuminate the bed. Most lights are red because this color affects human night vision least. This also helps astronomers make better observations of the sky during the night.

It also enables the driver to move the trailer into the best possible position for night sky observations. Additionally, the truck rides higher than usual to give the driver go-anywhere capability.

The paint scheme is also special. Although the color is very dark, the rear doors feature nebula motifs using parametric patterning, while the bed is painted in a somewhat lighter shade of grey with a blueish tint. Nissan says that this paint scheme takes inspiration from the cosmos.

It also has a bed liner made from heavy-duty polymer and brushed aluminum rollers for easier loading and unloading. Nissan also added two portable battery units, spare parts for the trailer and telescope, and an integrated tool storage unit.

Interior

The cosmic theme continues inside the cabin, where the upholstery has "the deep hues of the night sky" and "orange shades of a setting sun." The piping is actually made from reflective material, which removes the need for white lights that would disrupt the astronomer's night vision.

Nissan also added wider and flatter armrests between the front seats, which now doubles as a workstation. The integrated strap on the armrest secure a laptop or large table while driving, while the luminescent floor mats aid night-time visibility inside the vehicle.

Trailer

The trailer looks somewhat futuristic thanks to its aerodynamic design, but that's to be expected given its purpose. The shell is finished in the same paint scheme as the truck, while the rear section mimics the tailgate above the waist. A thin strip of red LED lights stretches across the entire width of the fascia.

Described as the world's first observatory-class telescope, it has a complex optical system, the latest features in the industry, and it can cost in excess of $20,000 depending on specifications. Using a 40-centimeter mirror, it has the ability to give detailed views beyond the rings of Saturn, to distant galaxies, nebulae, and even supernovas. Pretty cool!

This allows the high-precision instrument to remain stable and calibrated at the optimum temperature. Once taken to the desired location, the trailer’s mechanized roof can be opened to focus the telescope on the night sky.

Just like the truck, the trailer has radar units at each corner. These send information about the vehicle's surroundings to the driver through the NissanConnect infotainment. It also features portable EV battery packs with the company’s tried and tested battery technology. When docked in place, the battery packs are constantly in charging mode and ready for use when required.

The chassis is built from sturdy box-section steel for practical off-road use and rides on 16-inch wheels fitted with off-road tires, just like the truck pulling it.

Drivetrain

The truck is usually available with a selection of three engines and Nissan went with the more powerful version of the 2.3-liter, four-cylinder, diesel mill. The oil burner cranks out 190 PS and 450 Nm of torque, which converts to 187 horsepower and 332 pound-feet. While it's not overly powerful, it's good enough to enable the Navara to tackle rough terrain when combined with the increased ride height, the off-road tires, and the towing hitch.

Conclusion

The Dark Sky concept is definitely a cool idea and would make a lot of sense as a production model. Not only does it showcase a cool way to customize the Navara, but it could actually help the ESA reach remote areas for high-precision mapping of the stars. And, while the trailer might not make sense as a production model since it would be a bit too expensive, it could become a limited edition for the European Space Agency. On top of that, Nissan could start offering some of the features seen here on the regular production truck. The Navara definitely needs more optional features, and the Dark Sky concept looks like a good start.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2017 Nissan Navara.