Nissan is reportedly working on an SUV version to sit on its new Navara platform. Nissan Navara chief engineer Takashi Fukui even stated that the SUV would be available as soon as a year after the Navara goes on sale.

The current Nissan Pathfinder is basically an SUV body whacked onto the Navara platform, but lacks a low range gearbox. It’s likely whatever name they come up with (possibly still Pathfinder) will take on the likes of the Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Chevrolet Trailblazer for the bakkie-based SUV crown. That means the Navara SUV will likely be a proper 4×4 complete with mountain conquering capabilities.

We still haven’t had final confirmation on the specifications of the new Navara yet, so we can’t speculate on the engines it will harness.

*2015 Nissan Navara bakkie pictured.