Why a Nissan X-TRAIL or QASHQAI Warrior makes sense

Would a dirt-loving Nissan QASHQAI or X-TRAIL Warrior make sense? The answer theoretically is yes.

But so far expansion of the homegrown Warrior model line beyond the hard-core Navara and Patrol off-road heroes remains only a “discussion”.

Since launching the toe-in-the-water Navara N-Trek Warrior limited-edition in 2019, the co-venture between Nissan Australia and Premcar has sold more than 10,000 profitable vehicles.

In 2024, the partners are forecasting that Warrior versions of the Patrol and Navara will find a record 5100 new homes.

At a recent media function, new Nissan Australia chief Andrew Humberstone not only backed the continuation of the Warrior program into the new-generation Navara and Patrol before the end of 2025, but also hinted at an expansion beyond them.

Bernie Quinn, the co-owner of Premcar – the Melbourne firm that designs, develops and assembles the Navara and Patrol Warrior – says an expansion makes sense even into models that are smaller and less capable off-road than the dual-cab 4x4 ute and large 4x4 wagon.

“The easy answer is yes,” he said. “There are products in the existing Nissan portfolio that would lend themselves to a Warrior-type conversion.

“Are there specific products we are starting to discuss and work on?

“That I can’t answer.”

Quinn says the development of a third Warrior model line would depend on its ability to meet what he calls “brand inviolables”.

“We increase the bandwidth and capability, evoke emotion, be aspirational product – adventurous and integrated with a five-year warranty,” he explained.

“They are specific to the Warrior brand.

“If the product itself lends itself to that then absolutely we can apply it to that vehicle.”

Quinn acknowledged that a soft-roader such as the QASHQAI Warrior would not be as capable off-road as the Patrol and Navara because the small SUV lacks features such as their low-range gearing.

But he said it could still be injected with a Warrior driving character. It would also include the design and feature content upgrades that come with it.

“Some people might say ‘you can’t make a Warrior QASHQAI’, well you can,” insisted Quinn.

“Not that we are – I can definitely say we are not at the moment.

“But you could if we could prove the concept of the brand inviolables on that platform and that might have, for example – it might not be able to go down a goat track – a rally quality to its dynamics and a broader set of capabilities than what the regular QASHQAI has got as a result of whatever we do to it.”

At least studying the X-TRAIL and QASHQAI as part of a potential Warrior upgrade makes sense as the former is far and away Nissan’s top-seller in 2024, while the QASHQAI vies with the Patrol for third place behind the Navara.

These sales potentially help a business case stack up to amortise the costs associated with developing the vehicle.

As well as expanding the Warrior line-up, Quinn indicated the potential was there for more extensive mechanical work to be done. For example, Warrior engines are not retuned from standard.

“In the past we have developed whole engines, whole chassis systems, whatever,” said Quinn.

“It all becomes part of what we call an affordable business case analysis and structure. What we do together with Nissan.

“Is the market there? It depends on the product, but potentially yes.

“Is the money there? Well yes, people in Australia have got money.

“And is this a well-accepted business model for Nissan? Well yes, and it’s getting more and more exposure as time goes on.

“Ten thousand vehicles is not insignificant – it will be known among the corporation. Where I am getting to is the bigger this gets, the bigger the scope possibly gets.”

“So as you develop that confidence between the two parties, more things become possible.”

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