Nissan’s local Warrior lineup could be expanding, as a series of recent trademark filings point towards potential additions in the form of several SUVs and even a version of its Z sports car.
The brand filed four trademarks with the Australian Government on September 4 to protect the Z Warrior, X-Trail Warrior, Qashqai Warrior, and Pathfinder Warrior names.
Such models could join the current Navara and Patrol Warrior models, which are modified locally by Epping, Victoria-based company Premcar for the Australian market exclusively.
A Nissan Australia spokesperson said the brand “routinely files for trademarks to protect our intellectual property”.
Trademarks are a common way for carmakers to protect potential names even if there aren’t any plans to build them.
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Navara Warrior
The filings come a year after Premcar doubled its production capacity to meet demand for Nissan Warrior models, which involved building an additional manufacturing facility in Epping and creating 100 new jobs.
Premcar boss Bernie Quinn told CarExpert last year that he wanted to work over the Z, but said there were no plans for a Warrior version of the sports car.
Nissan has previously stated it would be open to giving more models the Warrior treatment, expanding the range beyond the Navara and Patrol.
It’s not clear whether any new models would continue to be manufactured in Epping, or if the Warrior badge could become a trim level like N-Trek.
Upgrades to the current Navara Warrior over the base version include a 40mm ride height lift, all-terrain tyres, modified suspension, under-body protection, a 100kg GVM upgrade and a steel bullbar.
Patrol Warrior
Similarly, the Patrol Warrior gains a 29mm lift, all-terrain tyres, unique front and rear bumpers, bi-modal side-exit exhaust, a 120kg GVM upgrade and interior cosmetic enhancements.
Nissan has shown off some off-road concepts and light-trail ready models in the past, though nothing to the scale and capacity of the Warrior line. One is the Safari Rally Z Tribute, built to pay homage to the original Datsun 240Z rally car that won the 1971 East African Safari Rally.
It gained Nismo parts like a new clutch, cold air intake, and exhaust system, while also getting custom adjustable KW Safari suspension with a 50mm lift, upgraded brakes, and Nismo Safari wheels wrapped in mud-terrain Yokohama tyres.
Nissan currently sells a lightly modified N-Trek version of its X-Trail, which offers chunkier tyres and revised styling for a tougher look. There are also off-road-oriented variants of the X-Trail and Pathfinder overseas.
Safari Rally Z 
X-Trail N-Trek
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