The long-rumoured launch of the hardcore Nissan Navara Warrior in South Africa is all but signed off, according to the head of the company that developed the vehicle…

Nissan South Africa is edging closer to launching the Navara Warrior derivative locally, according to the head of the Australian company that helped develop the hardcore flagship version of the double-cab bakkie.

Back in 2021, a Nissan Australia executive revealed Nissan South Africa had “reached out” about the Aussie-specific Navara Warrior model, which is converted by Premcar at its dedicated production facility in Melbourne. Then, in May 2022, the same executive hinted such an “opportunity” was still on the cards.

The Navara Warrior is currently exclusive to the Australian market.

Now, however, Premcar boss Bernie Quinn has revealed to carsales.com.au he has visited South Africa “several times” to discuss opportunities with Nissan SA. He also toured the Rosslyn factory, where the D23-generation Navara is built for Africa.

“The opportunity in South Africa is well down the track. From my personal point of view, it’s going to happen. But are we signed off, contract done and everything? No,” Quinn told the Australian publication.

“I can’t tell you when [production might start] until all that is sorted out,” he said, adding the proposed SA-spec Navara Warrior would likely be converted in South Africa at a new facility.

The Aussie-spec Warrior is based on the Thai-built Navara.

“It won’t be exactly the same car as sold in Australia – it can’t be. It looks exactly the same, but it’s got a different 2.5-litre engine and it’s got a slightly different chassis,” Quinn confirmed.

As a reminder, the Navara built at Rosslyn uses a 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine as opposed to the bi-turbo 2.3-litre unit employed in the Thailand-sourced version offered Down Under. Locally, the Navara Warrior would be pitched against the likes of the Toyota Hilux GR Sport and Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35.

Nissan also offers a lower-spec Warrior SL in Australia.

So, what makes a Warrior? Well, Premcar currently offers 2 versions in Australia. The top-spec model is based on the Navara Pro-4X but gains added off-road capability in the form of 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.

There’s also the lower-spec Navara SL Warrior variant, which ships with less standard kit and not quite as much underbody protection. Should the Navara Warrior be confirmed for South Africa, we’d speculate the Pro-4X would be the most logical choice as a base.

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