Could Nissan launch a version of its Z sports car designed for high-speed off-roading? Recent trademark activity by the automaker indicates just such a vehicle may be under consideration.
Drive has discovered that Nissan's Australian arm has filed trademark protection for the “Z Warrior” name, as well as the “X-Trail Warrior,” “Pathfinder Warrior,” “Qashqai Warrior,” and “Patrol Warrior” names.
Nissan in the past has used the Warrior name on some off-road-focused concept vehicles, like 2016's Titan Warrior concept, and in Australia the automaker has launched a rugged Navara Warrior pickup truck developed for the local market with a company called Premcar.
While automakers routinely file trademarks for names they have no intention of using, simply to protect the names in case a situation changes, the popularity and hype surrounding off-road-focused sports cars like Porsche's 911 Dakar may prove tempting enough for Nissan to go ahead with the launch of a Z Warrior.
Nissan Safari Rally Z Tribute
The automaker has already hinted at just such a vehicle with the Safari Rally Z Tribute unveiled during the 2023 SEMA show. The one-off concept built by South Carolina's Tommy Pike Customs was commissioned by Nissan to celebrate the automaker's successes in the East African Safari Rally during the 1970s with the Datsun 240Z.
In addition to packing more power than the stock 400 hp, the concept featured suspension containing parts from Nismo and KW. Those parts raised the ride height by 2.0 inches, which enabled the fitment of 17-inch wheels wrapped in chunky Yokohama Geolandar Mud-Terrain tires.
Nissan has already started introducing more rugged versions of its vehicles here in the U.S. A Rock Creek-branded off-road treatment can be ordered on the Pathfinder and Rogue, and Nissan may expand it to more vehicles.
