WARRIOR JOINS BUSH BATTLE

A new muscle car battle is raging in Australia between hotrod versions of the country’s most popular pick-up trucks.

Ford sets the benchmark with its Ranger Raptor, a rugged off-road rager with super-special Fox suspension, Toyota is also into the action with its HiLux Rugged X, and even Volkswagen has an upgraded Amarok that is tweaked by Walkinshaw Performance.

Now comes the Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior.

What makes the new Warrior so special is that the tweaking and tuning work is done in Australia, and for Australia, by many of the same crew from the days of Ford Performance Vehicles.

Premcar is a Melbourne company headed by Bernie Quinn and has been diving deeply into engineering products for Nissan and a run of other – secret – companies.

Its new work is the second time Premcar has been called in by Nissan and the result is a Navara that is deeply capable and bundles exactly the sort of equipment that owners usually fit once they drive out of the showroom. It’s a balanced package and, best of all, it’s fully-factory approved and covered by the original warranty.

The new Warrior is not cheap at $67,490, or $69,990 with an auto, but it’s a good deal for people who want to drive something more special and more rewarding.

That’s what the Warrior and its rivals are all about – driving enjoyment in the 21st century. Far too many pick-ups – utes does not really
apply anymore, since they are trucks and not a ‘utility’ version of a car – are just wheelbarrows that try to do everything and do nothing well.

The Warrior is upgraded with proper suspension, the essential winch-bullbar and LED light bar, bigger wheels and Cooper tyres, and even Warrior logos stitched into the seats.

“We set out to create the most-capable Navara ever,” says Quinn.

Getting into detail, the Navara’s unchanged engine is a 2.3-litre twin-turbo, common-rail diesel, tied to a six-speed manual and seven-speed auto and selectable four-wheel drive. The driveline also has a hill-assist ‘creeper’ system for steep downhills.

The heart of the Warrior is upgraded suspension with an extra 30 millimetres of front track, 40 millimetres of extra ground clearance, upgraded springs for more front-end support and bigger and re-worked Monroe dampers that improve everything from compliance to float when towing.

But it also gets Warrior flares and the essential decals to prove it is not just another Navara.

DRIVING

Navara Pro-4X Warrior

The press preview drive at Coffs Harbour is over forest roads, many used for Rally Australia, and gnarly bush tracks. The course is sodden and spashd with deep creek crossings and slimy red clay.

The Warrior does not notice, or care.

Its upgraded and more-plush suspension copes with everything, the Cooper tyres find grip on the worst surfaces, and we’re calm and cozy in the cabin with an auto gearbox and the knowledge that even deep water and slippery uphill climbs are easy with a bit of common sense and a light touch.

The Warrior is impressive from the kick-off, thanks to suspension that damps and smooths the typical wheelbarrow feel of a pick-up. The 265×65 R17 Coopers have an aggressive tread but are surprisingly quiet on the blacktop and then clear the mud easily.

At the end of the day, the Warrior has ticked all the boxes on a tough run of off-roading that would be typical for a lot of owners.

But there is still time to tweak its tail with a sprint on some twisty dry bitumen – the first of the day – where it is calm and settled in corners, has great turbodiesel punch, and where the Premcar lightbar does a great job of night brightness.

The only shortcomings of the Warrior are embedded from the original Navara, such as a slow steering ratio, seats that are not particularly supportive, and a cabin that trails newer pick-ups.

So the Nissan lives up to its name and the Warrior is headed for a sell-out.

FAST FACTS

Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior
Price: $67,490 or $69,990 with an auto
Engine: 2.3-litre four-cylinder twin-turbo diesel
Power: 140kW/450Nm
Transmission: 6-speed manual, 7-speed auto, four-wheel drive Position: upgraded sporty pick-up
We like: All the Premcar work Not so much: Slow steering ratio Score: 8/10
THE TICK: Giddy up