Next-Gen Nissan Navara Promises To Be More Than A Triton Rebadge

Current-gen Nissan Navara. Its successor is set to be based on the new Mitsubishi Triton, but promises to have loads of differences and be more than a mere rebadge.

Though its proposed merger with rivals Honda has been shelved, Japanese automaker Nissan still has an existing relationship with Mitsubishi Motors to captalise on – Nissan owns a 24.53% stake in said tri-diamond marque.

In fact, both firms had already planned to jointly develop the next-generation Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi Triton pick-up truck together prior, with the latter debuting first in July 2023. Moreover, Nissan also promises its redux of Mitsubishi’s acclaimed pick-up truck will bear lots of differences too.

Speculative render of the next-gen Nissan Navara based on the latest-gen Mitsubishi Triton by local render artist @Theottle (Chin Swee Hoe).

Speaking with Australian title Drive.com.au, Nissan Oceania MD Andrew Humberstone confirmed the upcoming new-generation Navara, expected to debut in under two years time, will not simply be a mere re-badging effort.

“we are making sure that it’s very much a Nissan. So we’ll be making a number of changes to make sure that that’s the case,” adds Humberstone. He also clarified that Mitsubishi is the ‘leader’ of this project, and that Nissan is merely a ‘follower’ in which.

A rear angle of the speculative render of the Triton-based next-gen Navara by @Theottle. Nissan Oceania MD Andrew Humberstone reportedly confirmed recently that Mitsubishi is the 'leader' in this joint development.

The latter also perhaps justifies expectations of several shared elements, namely their frame. Given just how arguably well the new Triton is, which is in its third-generation form now (and standing as Mitsubishi’s sixth-generation pick-up truck offering), perhaps this is a good thing indeed.

Moreover, Humberstone adds that Nissan believes it has benefits in technology it can contribute for its redux of the Triton. “in terms of technological advancement, in terms of the utility space, absolutely I think we've got something we'd like to bring into the market," notes Humberstone.

One key change expected in the next-gen Navara is switch to rear leafsprings. Current Navara pictured rides on multi-link rear suspension, which many believe to be the cause of its notorious 'sagging' issue.

"Yes, we have a relationship, but that relationship could be effectively with any supplier. But again, we're going to make a lot of changes to the product to make sure it's in line with Nissan's expectations," continued the exec further, fuelling further speculation at the same time.

Prior to this, international Nissan execs have hinted that the next-gen Navara will “correct the wrongs of the outgoing model." One key change is the reversion back to rear leafsprings instead of the multi-link setup primed in the current (read: outgoing) model.

Though unconfirmed, it seems likely that the new 2.4-litre 4-cyl turbo-diesel lump developed by Mitsubishi in the new Triton, as well as its accompanying Super Select 4WD system, will be adopted by the new Navara.

Besides remedying its notorious ‘sagging’ issue, the switch back to leafsprings could also help bump up the Navara’s tow rating up to 3,500 KG. That aside, what remains uncertain still is the new Navara’s powertrain source – Nissan or Mitsubishi.

Presently, it looks certain that Mitsubishi’s 2.4-litre 4-cyl turbo-diesel lump powering the new Triton line-up, which is a newly developed mill, could also find its way into the new Navara. Perhaps Mitsubishi’s Super-Select 4WD driveline package could be carried over here too.