Nissan Donates Ultimate Service Titan to Red Cross

Custom Titan Designed to Serve in Extreme Rescue Operations

Those who are familiar with the new Nissan Titan will already know it's one incredibly capable full-size pickup truck, which makes it the ideal platform for performing hazardous rescue operations.

The "Ultimate Service Titan" began life as a 2018 Titan XD Diesel Midnight Edition Crew Cab, complete with the ultra-strong Cummins 5.0-litre V8 Turbo Diesel featuring 310 horsepower and 555 lb-ft of torque, and was then purpose-built into a one-off mobile command centre for the Red Cross non-profit disaster-relief organization.

The special project truck was presented to the American Red Cross of South Florida at the 2018 Miami International Auto Show (MIAS) last month, as part of Nissan's Calling All Titans service vehicle campaign that has already seen vehicles donated to Habitat for Humanity and the National Parks Service.

Nissan Went Above and Beyond to Build the Ultimate Search and Rescue Vehicle

Some of the custom work that transformed the stock truck into a go-anywhere rescue vehicle included lengthening the ladder frame, increasing ground clearance with a factory-authorized ICON 3.0-inch lift kit, adding an airbag suspension-leveling system, upgrading the sway bar, equipping it with special ICON wheels wrapped in Nitto Ridge Grappler tires, adding body armour that includes an Addictive Desert Designs stealth bumper, providing a Warn Zeon Platinum 12S winch to aid rescue efforts including the removal of debris, enhancing lighting with a bevy of Baja Designs LEDs, upgrading the fuel tank to 284 litres, and more.

The rear box and bed were removed as well, and replaced with a command centre and shelter designed by B&S Customizing. The rear quarters incorporate "all the necessities for work and rest," says Nissan, including an emergency response bed for administering medical assistance, storage racks, first aid supplies, a SnoMaster refrigerator for storing blood, a desk, a mobile kitchen with a stove, microwave and sink, a dining area, and a couch that provides an area for workers and volunteers to recuperate between shifts. Additionally, Nissan included built-in Wi-Fi, an upgraded navigation system, a wireless charging station, and a solar generator that ensures all onboard electronics can be kept in use even when access to the grid isn't possible.

"Built on the foundation of a rugged Titan XD Diesel - and with aftermarket accessories from some of the most reputable companies in the industry - the Ultimate Service Titan ensures that titans of the community are able to get anywhere, at any time, with the tools they need to get the job done," said Fred DePerez, vice president of Nissan's truck division.

Giving Back to the Community in a Very Creative and Helpful Way

Always looking for ways to give back to the community, Nissan pledged $1 million USD in donations to each of its three Calling All Nissans strategic partner organizations. Depending on requirements the donations may be in cash or a combination of cash and Titan trucks. Thus far, Nissan and the Red Cross have collectively raised more than $2.5 million for the program.

This Ultimate Service Titan will assist the Red Cross in a variety of duties including blood drives and emergency care, and being that it resides in Florida may even be responsible for saving the lives of Canadian snowbirds.

Back here at home, the 2018 Titan is available from as low as $36,498 for the regular half-ton or $47,998 for the heavy-duty Titan XD with a 5.6-litre V8 gasoline engine and $55,498 for the same model with the Diesel.

We currently have a variety of new Titan models in stock, including a 2018 Titan Midnight Edition Crew Cab similar to the one used as the basis for the Ultimate Service Titan, so make sure you give us a call or come visit us in our showroom in Vancouver.

Story credits: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press
Photo credits: Nissan
Copyright: Canadian Auto Press Inc.