Nissan is working on the next generation of the Navara, which is expected to be unveiled next year. However, before the new generation appears, there are already rumors about a flagship model of this generation bearing the Nismo badge. The Nissan Navara Nismo is set to challenge the Ford Ranger Raptor. Ivan Espinosa, Nissan's chief planning officer, confirmed that the company is seriously considering producing the Navara Nismo, hinting at collaboration with partner companies. He said, 'This is something we are looking forward to, and you can imagine seeing something along those lines with the partners we are working with on it too.'
Espinosa highlighted local partnerships in Australia as an example. He stated, 'Of course, particularly this could happen in Australia. It’s something where we have been doing very well and customers are very happy with what we offer. The Navara and Patrol came to Australia with the special Warrior edition resulting from Nissan’s collaboration with the Australian company Premcar. The same company may be involved in developing the Navara Nismo, which could surpass the Pro-4X version designed for off-road.
The Navara Nismo is likely to feature a more powerful engine to compete with the Ford Ranger Raptor, which operates with a V6 engine. Nissan's 3.5-liter V6 twin-turbo engine, producing 425 horsepower and 699 Nm of torque, seems suitable. It is available in the new Patrol and Armada models. However, it is unclear whether this engine will fit the new Navara platform and structure. Espinosa mentioned that the V6 engine's sole application is in the Patrol, but he added that parts of it could be transferred to some future models.
This is not the first time that the Navara has been heard of with Nismo touches. Initial reports of the high-performance truck emerged in 2014, just a few months after the current generation of Navara D23 was released. The idea faded for a while, but the buzz began again last year.
At the Japan Mobility Show 2023, Espinosa, then head of Nismo, hinted at a flagship Navara while speaking to Australian media. The next generation of Nissan Navara is expected to share its basic structure and diesel and hybrid engine options with the Mitsubishi Triton, as part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. Interestingly, Mitsubishi is also working on a flagship version of the Triton bearing the Rally Art badge, which may borrow Nissan's V6 engine.
