The new Nissan Navara SL Warrior has started hitting dealerships this week, with around 200 of the more affordable Warrior models set to be delivered to customers before the end of the August.
The local assembly and modification of the Navara Pro-4X and SL Warrior models is done by Premcar in Victoria, with Nissan Australia seeing strong demand for both models.
Speaking to CarExpert at the launch of the Nissan Z this week, Nissan Australia managing director Adam Paterson said production of both Warrior models has now ramped up from around 35-38 a week to around 65 a week.
“Based on demand from customers we have increased [Navara Warrior supply] to the best we have been able to do based on supply of donor vehicles,” Mr Paterson said.
“The feedback from consumers and dealers has been great, and really the opportunity to add a more accessible price point to the Warrior family is one that we couldn’t overlook,” he said.
Mr Paterson said the partnership with Premcar has been very positive, and there are future models such as the Patrol Warrior in the works.
“They have worked to bring our N-Trek Warrior to market when that was available prior to our current one. The Pro-4X Warrior, which we launched over a year ago; once we put a demonstrator in each dealership, each one has now been sold before it arrives. So demand has been great, only challenge to that has been supply of donor vehicles,” he said.
The Navara SL Warrior has been developed predominantly to serve a slightly difference price point and offer more post-purchase customisation options than the range-topping Pro-4X. It’s priced at $58,000 before on-road costs with the base manual gearbox, or $60,500 for the automatic.
These prices are $10,090 cheaper than the Pro-4X Warrior, and $11,400 greater than each regular Navara SL 4WD on which the Warrior is based.
“We balance between the two trim and specs. The feedback has initially been that [Pro-4X] Warrior is great – one, can we have more? But two, there is also demand out there with customers who like to customise these, and on top of the capability enhancements that we do, they spend extra to personalise these with trays and other lifestyle enhancements,” Mr Paterson said.
“Having one with a more accessible price point allows some of those customers slightly more budget for these enhancements and further customisation.”
The power plant in the SL Warrior remains unchanged, with the 2.3-litre twin-turbo diesel offering 140kW and 450Nm, coupled to a part-time 4×4 system with low-range, and either six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmissions.
All Nissan Navara SL models gain:
- Winch-compatible hooped bullbar (Pro-4X has a hoopless bar)
- Integrated LED lightbar
- Branded underbody black bash plate
- 275/70 R17 Cooper Discoverer All Terrain AT3 tyres
- Suspension lift of 40mm
- Tow bar
- 100kg GVM upgrade
- New springs, dampers and jounce bumpers
- Fender flares and tub liner
- All-weather floor mats
