FYI: Nissan might be planning a new off-road beast under the "Z Warrior" name, inspired by its legendary Safari Rally heritage.
Could Nissan be preparing to launch a high-speed, off-road version of its renowned Z sports car? Recent trademark applications by Nissan hint at this exciting possibility.
Trademark Activity Spotted
Nissan’s Australian division has recently filed for trademark protection for several "Warrior" names, including Z Warrior, X-Trail Warrior, Pathfinder Warrior, Qashqai Warrior, and Patrol Warrior. These filings suggest that a lineup of rugged off-road vehicles could be in the works.
Historical Context of the Warrior Name
The Warrior name isn’t new for Nissan. Back in 2016, they introduced the Titan Warrior Concept, a rugged truck designed for extreme off-road conditions. In Australia, the automaker launched the Navara Warrior, a tough pickup developed in collaboration with local company Premcar.
Speculation and Market Trends
Although automakers often trademark names as a precaution, the current market trend towards off-road sports cars, such as Porsche’s 911 Dakar, makes the potential release of a Z Warrior more plausible.
A Glimpse Into the Future: The Safari Rally Z Tribute
Nissan showcased a tantalizing hint at the 2023 SEMA Show with the Safari Rally Z Tribute. Built by Tommy Pike Customs in South Carolina, this one-off concept celebrates Nissan’s historical victory in the East African Safari Rally with the Datsun 240Z in the 1970s. The concept car not only boasts more power than the standard 400 horsepower but also features a robust suspension system from Nismo and KW, raising its ride height by 2.0 inches. This setup allows for the addition of 17-inch wheels wrapped in Yokohama Geolandar mud-terrain tires.
Expanding the Rugged Lineup
Nissan has already introduced more rugged versions of its vehicles in the U.S. market. Off-road variants branded as Rock Creek can be found on the Pathfinder and Rogue models. The automaker may extend this rugged approach to other vehicles in its lineup.
In conclusion, while there’s no official confirmation yet, Nissan’s recent trademark activity and the introduction of the Safari Rally Z Tribute suggest exciting developments could be on the horizon. Automotive enthusiasts and off-road adventurers alike should keep an eye out for potential announcements from Nissan.
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Donald Smith, Editor of Automotive.fyi
