If mum needed another reason to go to Iceland then putting the AT32 through its paces might be a reasonable excuse.

It’s a Nissan Navara pick-up like no other in the range. The Japanese firm has partnered with Nordic engineering company Artic Trucks, hence the AT designation, to create a machine with serious go-anywhere credentials.

The Icelanders started life in the Nineties as a Toyota franchise that started life equipping the Hilux, Land Cruiser and 4Runner for Polar expeditions. It has since separated from the Japanese and established itself in countries further afield including Russia and the UAE where it applies its expertise to create extreme machines for exploits such as exploration or sport.

Compared to, for example, the Toyota Hilux AT44x6, the AT32 is understated, unless you’re in the wilds of Kent, or negotiating tricky terrain in untamed east London and then it stands out like the proverbial sore thumb.

The AT32 is based on a top-spec Navara Tekna. It gets the other part of its designation – the 32 – from the 32in Nokian 275/70 tyres that it rides on. Buried deep within all that rubber are attractive black 17in alloy wheels, designed by AT that should prove resistant to even the most determined efforts to scuff them.

A Safari snorkel helps increase the wading depth from 600mm to 800mm while AT’s performance suspension increases ride height by 20mm and, consequently, ground clearance goes up to 243mm and significantly improves the maximum approach and breakover angles.

Underneath AT have fitted a branded skidplate and other underbody protection to shield the engine, transmission, propshaft and fuel tank against damage from boulders, rocks and other potential hazards. There is also a locking front differential to complement the hardware on the rear axle.

Inside the cabin is standard Navara fare, which is to say robust and functional. Visibility out the front is excellent, as you’d imagine, while the Around View Monitor uses four cameras to display a bird’s eye view of the truck during low-speed manoeuvring, making it surprisingly easy to park.

That the AT32 can tackle the rough stuff – and then some – is beyond doubt but for those of us who reside in less challenging environments the question is how do the changes affect the Navara’s performance on the road.

The answer is: Not favourably. The Navara rides on the most sophisticated suspension in its class but all that good work is undone by those huge knobbly tyres that generate a constantly busy ride. There’s rarely a moment that passes when there isn’t a degree of fidgeting beneath your bottom. Those four huge balloon-like tyres and raised ride contribute to a fair degree of pitch and yaw.

Beneath the bonnet is the familiar 2.3-litre 187bhp four-cylinder twin-turbocharged dCi unit sending power through a six-speed manual transmission. It’s noisy under load but once you’re at cruising speed the noise dissipates significantly, although it never disappears completely. The rack and pinion steering is quite meaty but if you’re harbouring hopes of any meaningful feedback prepare to have them dashed.

Changes of direction should be applied with caution as the off-road tyres will understeer with alarmingly little provocation but, clearly, Tarmac is an alien environment for the AT32.

And that, really, is the ultimate consideration if you’re contemplating buying this particular version of the Navara. There can be no doubting the off-road credentials of the AT32 but it comes at a price and, for many, the compromises that it asks you to make will certainly be too much for many but there’s no denying the allure of the rugged looks, even for someone who might not have considered a pick-up as their primary mode of transport.

If you’re absolutely committed to owning one of these beasts, whatever the reason, then you’re unlikely to concern yourself too much with its poor on-road manners or, if you need them, the £4,200 cost of the locking front diff and snorkel but, for the slightly less adventurous among us, the standard car will almost certainly suffice.

Nissan Navara Off-Roader AT32 Double Cab

Price: £39,640

As tested: £45,225

Engine: 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel

Transmission: 6-speed manual

Max power: 190PS

Max torque: 450Nm @ 1,500 – 2,500rpm

Max speed: 114mph

Acceleration (0-62mph): 10.8sec

Urban: 41mpg

Extra-urban: 47.1mpg

Combined: 44.9mpg

Emissions (CO2): 167g/km

Max wading depth: 800mm

Max approach angle: 35deg

Max departure angle: 25.7deg

Max breakover angle: 24deg

Max payload: 1,025kg

Max towing capacity: 3,500kg

For more information visit www.nissan.co.uk or www.arctictrucks.com