An off-road Nissan Z could provide a more affordable option compared to the Porsche 911 Dakar and Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato
Nissan has filed several Warrior-related trademarks in Australia, including the “Z Warrior.” This prompted us to create a speculative rendering of a tough, off-road Nissan Z. The automaker aims to grow the Warrior lineup in partnership with local collaborator Premcar.
Nissan has recently trademarked the “Z Warrior” name in Australia, sparking speculation that the automaker may be planning a limited off-road version of its sports coupe. This project would likely involve a partnership with Premcar, a local specialist renowned for developing off-road models officially sold by Nissan.
If this seems unlikely, just look at Porsche’s and Lamborghini’s current offerings for comparison.
The “Z Warrior” trademark is the most intriguing among several recent Warrior-related filings with IP Australia. At present, only the Navara midsize pickup and the outgoing Patrol SUV feature Premcar-tuned Warrior trims. While the X-Trail and Pathfinder SUVs seem better suited for off-road upgrades, a lifted version of the Nissan Z would certainly make waves.
According to Australian media outlet CarSales, Nissan’s local division is accelerating plans to expand the Warrior lineup soon. In June, Andrew Humberstone, Managing Director of Nissan Oceania, confirmed they were in talks with Premcar about a “portfolio of products.” The brand is currently assessing which models might be given the Warrior treatment to better meet the demands of Australian customers.
A Nissan Z Warrior could offer a more budget-friendly alternative to luxury models like the Porsche 911 Dakar and Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato. Inspired by the recent trademark, we created speculative renderings based on the 2023 Nissan Safari Rally Z Tribute concept, unveiled at last year’s SEMA.
A Z Warrior would likely include a suspension lift, new wheels with all-terrain tires, and rugged exterior features like bolt-on fender flares, plastic cladding, and underbody protection. Additional LED lights could enhance nighttime visibility and add to its rally-inspired look.
The Safari Rally Z Tribute concept featured a modified twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6, but a Premcar version might stick with the standard 400 hp (298 kW) engine. There’s also the possibility of using the 420 hp (313 kW) engine from the Nissan Z Nismo, though that might be a stretch for a market-specific model.
While it’s unclear if Nissan will actually produce a Z Warrior, many fans are eager to see it happen. Given that Premcar-tuned Nissan models are currently exclusive to Australia, an off-road Z would likely follow the same pattern, despite interest from other regions.
