Nissan Navara-based SUV (Toyota Fortuner slayer) arriving early next year - Report

Nissan is readying a new ladder-frame SUV for APAC and Africa.

We've known for over two years now that Nissan is working on a Nissan Navara-based SUV. First prototypes made their spy photo debut in May last year, and according to a report from Caradvice, the model premiere will take place later this year or in early 2018.

The pickup-based SUV segment is currently occupied by the likes of Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Ford Endeavour and Toyota Fortuner, and Nissan wants a piece of the pie with a model based on the Nissan Navara. The future model was spied in pre-production guise last year and although not much was revealed, one could make out the boxy body, V-motion grille and horizontal tail lamps.

The new mid-size SUV from Nissan could get its power from the same engines as the Nissan Navara, including the YS23DDT 120 kW (160.86 hp) 2.3-litre turbocharged diesel unit, the YS23DDTT 140 kW (187.67 hp) 2.3-litre twin-turbo diesel unit and the YD25DDTi 120 kW (160.86 hp) 2.5-litre turbocharged diesel unit. If offered in the Middle East and China, where petrol is the most preferred choice, the QR25DE 122 kW (163.54 hp) 2.5-litre naturally aspirated too could include in the range of engine options available globally.

Also Read: Will Nissan bring the all-new 2018 Nissan Juke to IAA 2017?

The Nissan Navara-based SUV is a potential product for India. The Nissan X-Trail Hybrid, which is seeing consistent delays in the launch, will go on sale this year, with conservative sales targets. Beginning next year, the company's Indian subsidiary will shift its focus to premium cars. Demand for ladder-frame SUVs like the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour should have intimated Nissan India of this segment's potential and may have even called for a feasibility study of the Navara-based SUV.

[News Source: caradvice]