The Nissan Navara may not be very familiar to U.S. pickup truck enthusiasts, but it's a popular model in Europe. Redesigned in 2014, it's also the truck on which the new Mercedes-Benz X-Class is based. While all automotive eyes are set on the Beijing Auto Show, Nissan just unleashed the most capable Navara ever at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham. It's called the Navara Off-Roader AT32 and was developed in cooperation with Arctic Trucks; an Icelandic company specialized in building four-wheel-drive vehicles for the world's harshest environments.
Available for the Double Cab trim, the AT32 looks decidedly more aggressive on the outside thanks to its larger wheel arch extensions, 17-inch alloy wheels designed by Arctic Trucks, and the 32-inch off-road tires. The truck also sits higher above the ground thanks to a 20mm (0.8-inch) suspension lift. With the bigger tires, the Navara now rides 40 mm (1.6 inches) higher than the standard model. Optionally, Nissan offers a snorkel that boosts wading depth from 600 to 800 mm (23.6 to 31.5 inches). The feature also improves air intake and protects the engine from dust and water ingress.
The larger tires and higher suspension also improve maximum approach angle, which increases from 30.4 to 35 inches. Likewise, breakover angle is up to 24 inches from the standard 22.2. The package also includes protective plates for key underbody components, including the engine, transmission, propeller, and the fuel tank. The optional front differential locker, which works in tandem with the standard rear differential locker, is supposed to provide better traction on every type of surface.
The AT32 also comes with extra standard equipment like Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, Intelligent Emergency Braking, and Intelligent Around View Monitor. Nissan had nothing to say about the engines, so it's safe to assume that the AT32 gets the standard units. Options should include the 2.3-liter diesel with either 160 and 190 horsepower, the 2.5-liter gasoline with 160 horses, and naturally aspirated, 2.5-liter diesel also with 160 or 190 horsepower.
Although the Navara AT32 is significantly more aggressive than the standard model, it definitely doesn't have the looks and the output to compete with the Ford Ranger Raptor. Not to mention that the Navara isn't available Stateside, while the Ranger Raptor likely won't be sold outside North America anytime soon.
References
Read our full review on the 2017 Nissan Navara.
Read our full review on the 2019 Ford Ranger Raptor.
Read more Nissan news.
Read more 2018 Beijing Auto Show news.