Nissan has responded to a survey suggesting almost 90 per cent of dog owners would buy a car with animal-friendly features by equipping an X-Trail with this 4Dogs concept package.
The Nissan X-Trail 4Dogs concept converts the boot space of the standard SUV into a bespoke, 445-litre travel compartment furnished with wipe-clean leather for up to two family pets.
The repurposed rear is fitted with a 360° pull-out shower for easy cleaning after muddy walks, and also comes with a dryer to remove moisture from damp fur.
A slide-away access ramp then allows dogs to clamber into the back with ease, where they can settle down onto the luxury bed provided. Owners can be assured of their pets’ safety during journeys thanks to an accompanying travel harness for use in transit.
Other additions include a no-spill water bowl and electronic treat dispenser, although Nissan’s pièce de résistance is the two-way ‘dog-cam’, which allows driver and canine to see each other via a 10-inch LCD screen installed in the boot.
The system has been integrated into the X-Trail’s infotainment system, which lets owners deliver calming messages to their dogs via an audio link which, oddly, hasn’t been dubbed ‘the walkies-talkie’.
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“The features in the Nissan X-Trail 4Dogs are really well-considered, and make it perfect for taking pets out in all weathers,” says vet Rachel Homeny. “In particular, the wash and dry functionality allows dogs to be dogs, so owners don’t need to worry about messing up the car interior.”
Although the 4Dogs concept is tailored for animal use, customers wouldn’t have to worry about more conventional needs: various items can be removed to make way for shopping, and the spare wheel remains available in the event of a punctured tyre.
“It’s clear from the research that for dog owners, dogs are a key part of the family,” observed Ryan Gains, Chief Marketing Manager for the X-Trail. “Ensuring their pet’s needs are catered for is often just as important as making sure the children are comfortable and happy.”
The 4Dogs concept is, as the name suggests, just an idea for now, although it has given us some serious paws for thought. Should it become a reality at any point in the future, we can only imagine it becoming mutt-have feature on new Nissan X-Trails.
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