Nissan releases Navara SL Warrior
The latest product of Nissan’s collaboration with Melbourne-based Premcar that produced the Navara PRO-4X Warrior is the Navara SL Warrior. Based on the entry-level SL grade Navara and offered exclusively in dual cab ute form, the Navara SL Warrior brings a new entry point to the locally-developed Warrior range.
“We’re thrilled with the response to the Premcar Warrior program to date, and we want as many people to experience these made-for-Australia products as possible,” said Nissan Australia Managing Director Adam Paterson in announcing the new Warrior model on 27 July.
“With the new Navara SL Warrior by Premcar, a new and more accessible entry point to the Warrior family has been developed, but one that’s no less comfortable on the road, and no less capable off it.
“The SL Warrior will add to Australian Navara sales, rather than subtract from it, with Nissan Australia securing additional units to meet demand. It is further proof of how highly the Warrior program is regarded.”
Warrior-Spec Features
Upgrades that the SL Warrior gets over a standard Navara SL dual cab are mainly about increasing off-road capability, so the suspension has been re-tuned to improve handling, with new springs, dampers and jounce bumpers fitted.
The result is reduced body roll, better sound isolation and reduced float when towing or carrying a load. Ride height increases to 260mm, which is 40mm higher than the standard Navara SL.
The increase comes from a combination of the new suspension package and taller tyres, with the ute’s 17-inch alloys (including a full-size spare) fitted with Cooper Discoverer All Terrain AT3s that are in a 275/70/R17 size and feature an off-road focussed tread pattern.
A 40mm ride height would usually mean improved approach and departure angles, but on the SL Warrior, only the approach angle is increased, from 32 degrees to 36 degrees, while the departure angle actually decreases marginally from 19.8 degrees to 19 degrees with a towbar tongue and harness, which are fitted as standard.
Nissan says that, while these changes to the suspension tune, ride height and wheels and tyres increase the Navara SL’s capabilities off-road, it isn’t at the expense of on-road comfort and handling. Like the Navara PRO-4X Warrior, testing and tuning of the Navara SL Warrior is designed to broaden the Navara’s capabilities, not shift them from one area to another.
Other changes applied to create the Navara SL Warrior include a winch-compatible bullbar with integral LED lightbar, as well as a front bash plate finished in black and with Navara branding.
Black wheelarch flares and a black tubliner are standard (complementing the black 17-inch alloy wheels and black bullbar), with black door handles, tailgate and exterior mirrors also standard.
The finishing touch externally is a Warrior graphic on the sides of the tub, while all-weather floor mats are the only difference from standard Navara SL spec inside.
GVM is increased by 100kg, but braked towing capacity is unchanged at 3500kg.
Drivetrain and Spec
The only engine offered on the Navara SL Warrior is the existing 2.3-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder, which puts out 140kW at 3750rpm and 450Nm at 1500-3500rpm – mostly unchanged from the current Navara SL, although maximum torque is available a little higher in the rev range.
A choice of six-speed manual or seven-speed auto is offered, with other features standard on the SL including a dual-range four-wheel system, ventilated disc front brakes and drum rear brakes.
In the cabin, there’s cloth seat trim front and rear, a multi-function steering wheel, six-speaker sound system, USB A and USB C ports, a 7.0-inch ‘Advanced Drive-Assist’ instrumentation (combining analogue dials with a digital display), 8.0-inch central infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
Spec and Safety
Despite being the entry-level Navara, the SL is well-equipped on the safety front and all this transfers across to the SL Warrior.
Standard safety features include ABS, EBD, intelligent forward collision warning, intelligent emergency braking, intelligent driver alert, traction control, hill descent control, trailer sway control, a rear-view camera and seven airbags, including front, curtain and driver’s knee.
On Sale in August
Due to arrive in Nissan dealerships at time of writing, the Navara SL Warrior is priced from $58,000 for the manual and $60,500 for the auto (+ ORCs). The pricing represents a premium in the order of $12,000 over a standard Navara SL dual cab, but around $10,000 under the cost of the Navara PRO-4X Warrior.
A five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty is standard and covers both the Nissan factory components and Premcar Warrior enhancement parts.
See your Nissan dealer to confirm availability, driveaway pricing and more details.
