Nissan unveils new-look Navara pick-up

NISSAN Australia has ripped the covers off its new-look Navara pick-up, with the facelifted version set to touch down in local showrooms in the first quarter of next year with fresh looks, increased tech and a new variant.

The brand also confirmed that the flagship N-Trek Warrior variant will be returning, with Nissan currently working with third-party engineering firm Premcar to ensure the N-Trek Warrior will launch soon after the rest of the range.

Nissan Australia managing director Stephen Lester would not be drawn on sales targets for the updated Navara, only saying that it will aim to increase its segment share, which currently sits at 7.1 per cent for the 4x2 segment (1498 sales) and 6.5 per cent (7834) for 4x4.

The update starts with a revised exterior design that centres predominantly around the front fascia, which has been given a number of tweaks to appear more muscular and rugged.

Its previous ‘V-motion’ grille has been replaced by a new ‘interlock’ grille found on other Nissan pick-ups including the Titian, which features ‘Navara’ lettering along the top of the grille.

The bonnet has been set higher up to add to the tough new look, while the headlights have also been redesigned with higher-grade models scoring new C-shaped quad LED projector lamps that add an extra element to the front-end design.

At the rear, the new Navara features a new LED tail-light design, while the tub line has been raised slightly to allow greater cargo volume in the rear.

A new variant has been introduced for the update – called the Pro-4X – which until the arrival of the Warrior will serve as the flagship grade for the Navara range.

The Pro-4X can be distinguished by its 17-inch black alloy wheels shod in all-terrain rubber, with blacked-out finish for the Nissan emblem, front bumper and grille, chunky sports bar, door handles, roof rack and running boards.

This is then contrasted by red accents on the lower grille, wheelarches and badge lettering, with Pro-4X decals on the side of the tub.

Eight colours will be available on the new Navara range, with two new colours including Stealth Grey, which was developed specially for the Pro-4X.

Mechanical upgrades have been limited, with the biggest change centring around a strengthened rear axle which combines with the increased truck bed volume to allow for greater payload.

While exact payload figures are yet to be detailed, Nissan is targeting a payload of up to 1200kg for 4x4 dual-cab pick-up variants, a figure only previously achieved by the work-oriented single-cab grades.

One of the biggest changes to the updated Navara has been the increase of active safety technology, with an expansion of the Nissan Intelligent Mobility suite.

Additions include intelligent forward collision warning which monitors both the vehicle ahead and the vehicle two cars in front, to reduce the likelihood of a multi-car collision.

Intelligent emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert and intelligent driver alertness have also been added, along with the intelligent around view monitor which uses cameras placed around the vehicle to detect people and vehicles moving around the car.

The camera system comes with an off-road monitor function for the first time, engaged when in low-range 4x4 and designed to detect surrounding obstacles and rocks when off-roading.

Inside, the Navara scores the latest Nissan Connect infotainment system projected onto an 8.0-inch touchscreen, paired with a 7.0-inch TFT instrument cluster display.

Powertrains are set to carry over into the new model, with most variants set to be underpinned by the same 2.3-litre twin-turbo-diesel four-cylinder unit from the current range, tuned to produce 140kW/450Nm and paired to either a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmission.

Exact pricing and specification for the new Navara range will be announced closer to the model’s launch early next year.

To the end of October, Nissan Australia has sold 9332 combined examples of the Navara, down on the 11,427 it managed to the same point last year.