Proof that Australian automotive manufacturing is once again operating strongly in Victoria is the more than 750 examples of the Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior by Premcar having already rolled off the production line.
Premcar’s Epping facility and its 35- strong Warrior team are on track to produce its first 1000th vehicle by the end of March.
The Nissan Navara PRO-4X undergoes extensive remanufacturing at the Premcar premises to deliver the ‘world’s toughest Navara’, with the team engineering a unique vehicle which is tailor-made for Australia and local conditions.
Key updates include enhancements to the Nissan’s performance and capability with wheel, tyre and suspension changes combined to deliver improved ground clearance, a wider stance and improved ride and handling.
“We’ve been hard at work on Warrior 2.0 from almost the moment we finished work in the first Warrior,” said Premcar Engineering Director Bernie Quinn.
“This is so much more than some kind of sticker pack. This is an extensively re-engineered vehicle that’s designed, engineered and built by some of the world’s most talented automotive manufacturing experts, right here in Victoria,” he said.
“This is not just a win for Nissan, and for Premcar, but for the automotive manufacturing industry more generally. We have always had world-beating talent, and it’s so rewarding to watch them produce world-beating vehicles again.”
The new flagship model of the Nissan Navara range is based on the rugged PRO-4X.
Put through ten manufacturing stations at Premcar’s facility before the metamorphosis into the Warrior occurs, the Nissan ute undergoes a transformation that takes more than ten hours to complete including the fitting of the winch compatible bullbar with its integrated light bar, as well as full underbody protection including a new bash plate and a 3mm steel second stage protection plate.
The revised suspension is complemented by 17-inch Cooper Discoverer All Terrain AT3 tyres with increased tread depth, and an off road focused tread pattern, all covered by a full set of Warrior-specific fender flares.
The suspension package includes new spring rates for more front-end support and reduced body roll, plus revised front and rear damping for greater control and improved isolation from impacts plus a reduction in “float” when towing or carrying a load.