Nissan Shows Titan XD Diesel Land Speed Truck at SEMA

The companies are dubbing the endeavor Project Triple Nickel in honor of the 5.0-liter V8's 555 pound-feet of torque, and an early version of the truck makes a big debut at this year's SEMA Show.

Development of this speed demon Titan is only a few weeks old, but some of the modifications are already obvious. This high-velocity pickup features a smoothed-out, lowered body with a ground-hugging front air dam, bed cover, disc wheel covers, and no side mirrors. For added safety, there's a roll cage inside and parachute at the back.

The builders intend even more tweaks for the pickup, and it probably needs them to reach the serious speeds necessary for a title. The current plan has the Titan competing in the D/DT class with a present record of 191 miles per hour and the FIA class A-III-9 where they need to beat 115 mph. Nissan spokesperson Dan Passe tells Autoblog that testing begins this spring at the Ohio Mile in Wilmington, OH. Conditions permitting, Bonneville is the goal someday. "Once we're comfortable with the truck, then we move on to the salt. And more power," Passe said.