Fresh comments from a Nissan executive in Australia suggest there remains an “opportunity” to introduce the flagship Navara Pro-4X Warrior in markets such as South Africa…
The Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior is the toughest (official) version of the refreshed bakkie out there, but it’s currently available only in Australia. However, the latest comments from Nissan suggest the opportunity to introduce something similar in South Africa remains.
Adam Paterson, Nissan Australia’s managing director, revealed to CarsGuide the Japanese firm’s international executives had recently visited Premcar’s production facility in Melbourne where the Warrior model is created (based on the standard Navara Pro-4X imported Down Under from Thailand) on behalf of Nissan Australia.
“As recently as last week the global overseas product director for the Navara programme came to Australia, just because of how important Navara is to the market,” Paterson told the publication.
“We had him over at Premcar; he was very impressed by what we’re putting together as far as the product is concerned. Obviously, it’s very different when you see the car in the flesh versus online. He was very impressed and thinks there are opportunities in other markets. Where that is, and what the timing is, we don’t know,” Paterson said.
South Africa is an obvious choice and one Nissan Australia has mentioned before. In November 2021, for instance, Paterson confirmed to GoAuto that Nissan South Africa had “reached out” about the Warrior model. In South Africa, such as model would do battle with the outgoing Ford Ranger Raptor, the upcoming Toyota Hilux GR Sport and any future Arctic Trucks version of the new Isuzu D-Max.
Of course, Nissan SA currently produces the Navara – which is offered locally with a 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine as opposed to the 2.3-litre unit employed Down Under – at its facility in Rosslyn. Though no announcements have been made, replicating the Premcar set-up at the Gauteng factory would surely make more sense than importing units from Australia.
“[Nissan] sees the opportunity for a conversion like that in other markets, but we don’t know what it would look like or how the programme would be put together. But there’s definitely interest in it,” Paterson said.
So, what makes a Warrior? Well, Premcar upgrades the Navara Pro-4X’s off-road capability with wheel, tyre and suspension enhancements. It also adds a winch-compatible bullbar, Navara-branded bashplate and additional underbody protection, along with a modified towbar and a 100 kg GVM upgrade. The result, according to Premcar, is the “world’s toughest Navara”.
