Nissan has introduced a new hardcore off-road pickup for European markets. It’s based on the double-cab Navara, but features key upgrades developed in partnership with legendary Icelandic upfitter Arctic Trucks.
The new Nissan Navara Off-Roader AT32 features a suspension raised by 20 mm (0.78 inches) along with bigger tires and underbody protection. It rides 243 mm (9.6 inches) above the ground on 17-inch wheels with giant 32-inch tires, house inside extended wheel arches. That gives it 35-degree approach and 24-degree breakover angles – up from 30.4 and 22.2 degrees, respectively.
Watch Out ZR2, TRD Pro, Raptor
Those specs make the AT32 – so named for Arctic Trucks and its 32-inch tires – a compelling rock-crawler, especially in comparison to the competition. It comes out ahead of the Chevy Colorado ZR2, which has less ground clearance (at 8.9 inches) and smaller approach and breakover angles (at 30 and 23.5 degrees, respectively). It also compares favorably with the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, which rides 0.2 inches closer to the ground and offers similar approach and breakover angles (at 35 and 23.9 degrees). Only the Ford Ranger Raptor offers more ground clearance (at 11.1 inches), but still falls short with a 32.5-degree approach angle and the same 24-degree breakover.
“The Nissan Navara Off-Roader AT32 is the most capable Navara we’ve ever sold,” said Nissan Europe’s senior vice president Ken Ramirez. “Its mix of enhanced off-road ability and upgraded exterior features will appeal to a new audience of both professional and recreational pickup customers.”
Fitted with the optional snorkel on the A-pillar, the jacked-up pickup can wade through 800 mm (31.5 inches) of water, and can also be equipped with a locking front differential (to work in tandem with the standard rear locking diff). Combined with the Navara’s standard Hill Start Assist and Descent Control systems, the added features turn the mid-size pickup (also known as the Frontier or NP300) into a proper hardcore off-road machine. Now if Nissan would only offer a similar package on the US-market Frontier, we’d be all set.