Nissan Navara Nismo: A New Kind of Off-Road Muscle

Nissan Considers Navara Nismo with Partner Companies

• Nissan is exploring the possibility of a Navara Nismo with the assistance of partner companies.
• The powerful twin-turbo V6 engine from the Patrol is a potential option for the midsize truck.
• Officials suggest a Baja-style model that combines performance with off-road capabilities.

Nissan’s Next Generation Navara

Nissan is currently working on the next generation of the Navara, set to be released next year. However, rumors are already circulating about a Nismo-branded flagship model. Instead of focusing solely on speed, the Nissan Navara Nismo aims to directly challenge the Ford Ranger Raptor, offering a unique blend of power and off-road performance.

Collaborations with Partner Companies

Ivan Espinosa, Nissan’s Chief Planning Officer, has hinted at potential collaborations with partner companies for the Navara Nismo. He stated, “Well, this is also something that we are looking at, and you could imagine seeing something along those lines with the partners that we are working on that as well.”

Espinosa specifically mentioned Australia as a promising market for partnerships, citing the success of the Warrior trims of the Navara and Patrol developed in collaboration with Australian company Premcar. This partnership could play a crucial role in the development of the Navara Nismo, positioning it as the ultimate off-road trim above the Pro-4X variant.

Potential Powertrain Options

A Nismo-branded Navara would likely feature a more powerful engine to compete with the V6-powered Ford Ranger Raptor. Nissan’s twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6, capable of producing 425 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque in the new Patrol/Armada twins, is a strong contender. However, it remains uncertain if this engine would be compatible with the Navara’s ladder-frame architecture.

Espinosa mentioned that the V6 engine is currently only used in the Patrol but hinted that certain components could be carried over to future models.

A Long-Awaited Possibility

The idea of a Nismo-tuned Navara has been circulating since 2014, shortly after the debut of the current D23 generation of the pickup. While the concept went dormant for a period, it resurfaced last year when Espinosa, then Nismo chief, expressed his desire for a Navara flagship model with a focus on off-road speed, similar to the Baja race trucks.

Future Prospects

The next generation of the Nissan Navara is expected to share its platform, powertrain options, and technology with the Mitsubishi Triton as part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance. Interestingly, Mitsubishi is also rumored to be working on a flagship version of the Triton with the Ralliart badge, potentially utilizing Nissan’s V6 powertrain.