A new Nissan Navara is around the corner, and a new Chinese-market ute may potentially preview the new global ute.
Carscoops reports Nissan’s Yuanye Z9 has appeared in a Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology filing.
The outlet reports the Yuanye Z9 offers a choice of a 2.0-litre petrol engine with either 182kW or 190kW of power, or a 3.0-litre diesel with 140kW.
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A plug-in hybrid is also reportedly coming, which will give the ute range a rival for the BYD Shark and Ford Ranger PHEV.
At 5520mm long, it sits between the current dual-cab Navara (5260mm) and the dual-cab, long-tub version of the US-market Frontier (5692mm).
It’s also longer than the dual-cab Mitsubishi Triton (5320mm) on a longer wheelbase (3130mm). The next Navara is expected to be based on the Triton, which was launched here early this year.
It’s unclear what platform this Chinese ute rides on and, if it’s unrelated to the current Triton, whether we will at least see a similar design language on the next Navara.
It may look bigger and boxier than the current Navara, but the Yuanye Z9 is still significantly smaller than the recently axed Titan pickup, Nissan’s US-built rival to the Ford F-150.
Here’s how the Yuanye Z9 compares with the current Navara and Triton dual-cab utes.
| Yuanye Z9 | Triton | Navara | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 5520mm | 5320mm | 5311mm |
| Width | 1960mm | 1865mm | 1850mm |
| Height | 1950mm | 1795mm | 1830mm |
| Wheelbase | 3300mm | 3130mm | 3150mm |
It’s unclear just where this ute fits into Nissan’s plans.
Dongfeng Rich 6 
Nissan Frontier 
Nissan Navara 
Mitsubishi Triton
The brand doesn’t currently offer a ute in China, though its joint venture partner Dongfeng offers a version of the current Navara through its namesake brand – called the Rich 6 – which can also be had with electric power.
The current Navara is approaching the end of its lifecycle, with a new generation due in 2026. Nissan intends to offer plug-in hybrid power, leaning on Alliance partner Mitsubishi, though it will also be available with a traditional diesel powertrain.
While Nissan launched a new Ford Ranger rival in North America in 2022 with the D41-series Frontier, this is a heavy update of the old D40 Navara that was replaced here back in 2014.
It’s understood this Frontier won’t replace the current Navara in markets like ours.
MORE: Everything Nissan Navara
