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 along with bigger tires and underbody
protection. It rides 243 mm 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.
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.
Fitted with the optional snorkel on the A-pillar,
the jacked-up pickup can wade through 800 mm 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.
