Navara AT32 on the cards for Oz

The Japanese brand says it wants to capitalise on Australia’s appetite for pumped-up lifestyle utes by introducing the Arctic Trucks modified Navara AT32 to local (non-arctic) soil.

Already on sale in Europe, the more capable dual-cab ute has been modified by acclaimed Icelandic hard-core four-wheel-drive tuning shop Arctic Trucks. The collaboration is a first for Nissan and its success will likely lead to both Arctic Trucks and the AT32 expanding into new markets.

The ‘AT32’ badge is given in regard to the company’s name and the model’s larger 32-inch all-terrain tyres wrapped around toughened black 17-inch alloys. Suspension is retuned to accommodate 20mm higher springs that increase approach (35 degrees), departure and ramp over angles. Ground clearance is also higher, and a front differential-lock and snorkel are available as options. The whole kit is finished with underbody bash plates, widened wheel arches, black LED headlights, new grille, tailgate lip spoiler and special AT32 stickers for a tougher appearance.

The problem for Nissan is that Arctic Trucks is not a household off-roading name in Australia – like ARB and Ironman 4x4 are – but that could change according to Nissan chief product planning manager Pedro de Anda.

“At the moment they [Arctic Trucks] only have presence in Europe but we are actively studying where else that can be,” he told Drive during a test drive of the new Navara AT32 overseas.

“There are many possibilities - you could take the Navara that’s coming from Thailand we have. [Maybe] Arctic Trucks setting-up and supporting from Thailand or doing the conversion in Australia or in Europe and shipping from there to Australia,” he added.

As Drive understands from a source close to Nissan Australia, the Navara has already undergone modification and testing by an independent local outfit with similar changes performed to the European market Navara AT32.

“There is one main restriction which is that Arctic Trucks only has operations in Europe. So there is no sales, technical support outside of Europe,” said de Anda.

The local experimental Navara would be consistent with de Anda’s comments that Nissan is considering different options outside of Europe, either making the appropriate Arctic Trucks-approved modifications near the factory in Thailand or after utes have been delivered to Australia.

“They [Arctic Trucks] are the experts in these conversions so as experts we believe it is better for them to do the conversion and in Europe as the Arctic Trucks name is quite strong and it’s a win/win for them to do the job. Because they are only focused on Europe, that name Arctic Trucks outside of Europe isn’t so aware.

“It’s not exclusive with Arctic Trucks but the standards must be meet, the quality can’t be compromised,” de Anda added.

“We are looking at many options, Australia is one of those. I can’t tell you if it’s going to go there or how soon. We know the Australians and believe me, the customers want a lot more in the market.”

But drivetrain options seem unlikely to change anytime soon, with de Anda suggesting it is capability and not engine performance that needs to be prioritised, despite potential access to Daimler’s 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 diesel available in the Mercedes-Benz X-Class – the three-pointed star’s first dual-cab ute that’s based on the Navara.

“There are two things [we look at for Navara], one is the powerplant and the other is overall capability, and we do want to enhance the toughness in Navara and the overall capability.

“Changing the engine is more challenging because of the emissions and investment to change that. It is something that we are aware of especially in Australia and in some of Europe there is customer interest for the V6 that we offered in previous generation Navara, so it is something that we are starting but there is no plan.”