New Nissan Patrol Warrior and more models mooted

Nissan Australia is in ongoing talks with Melbourne engineering firm Premcar about new Warrior models. Nissan’s local boss says the brand should look at applying the formula to future vehicles sourced from elsewhere in the world, despite the Navara Warrior program being axed.

A Warrior-ised Nissan X-Trail to take on Subaru’s expanding Wilderness off-road sub-brand isn’t on the cards…yet.

Premcar’s Warrior program has been a quiet success story.

A total of 10,294 D23 Navara Warriors were built over six years, accounting for almost 20 per cent of Navara sales.

A Y62 Patrol Warrior followed, and a new D27 Navara Pro-4X Warrior is on the way.

The bigger revelation is that the Warrior could spread beyond Japanese-sourced Nissans, as Nissan Oceania managing director Steve Milette explained.

“Typically, from a Y62 Warrior perspective, you’re talking bigger bucks and you’re adding real capability to the vehicle,” he said.

“But is it something that we could consider for future products coming to Australia from other sources in the world? I think so. I think we should,” he told carsales.

“I think we should look at it. It’s been proven to be successful,” he said.

That opens the door to China-sourced models such as the Frontier Pro PHEV ute, whose development has been fast tracked for Australia... at the expense of the Navara Warrior ute.

“With Premcar, we continue to talk all the time on current products, future products,” said Milette.

“There’s been a good history of very positive product animation. The D23 was an example. The current Y62 is a great example.

“We haven’t announced anything officially since, but we keep on discussing what is possible for today and for the future. It resonates well with Australians.”

So what about a toughened X-Trail in the vein of the Subaru Outback Wilderness, with extra ride height and a bash plate?

“Technically, all could be done,” he said.

“For me, Premcar and the Warrior concept was new because it’s not a North America thing. But what they do is they take a product that can make it even more rugged and off-road capable. Usually it’s top of the line plus plus plus.

“Would someone pay more for a super rugged X-Trail? Maybe. I mean, those are business cases that we need to look at. It’s not something we’re looking at today.”

Nissan senior corporate communications manager Angus Thompson said local engineering remains central.

“That program has always been tailored and much of that engineering is for New Zealand and Australian conditions,” he said. 

“It’s not something where we get it straight off the boat… it’s because these are such unique countries and demands on the vehicles are so much higher than most places.”

The new Y63 Patrol launches in early 2027 without a Warrior, but a Premcar version based on the new PRO-4X is widely expected. The D27 Navara Warrior is also due soon.

After that, a Warrior-fettled Frontier Pro would be a logical next step. A Nissan X-Trail Rock Creek Warrior? Don’t rule it out entirely.

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