The Nissan Navara midsize pickup is no stranger to tuning and modifications, most of which are meant to enhance its off-road prowess. But one particular build went in the other direction by converting the rig into a beast for the pavement, complete with a 1,000-horsepower GT-R power unit.
This little piggy got itself one hell of an upgrade
This is the Nissan Navara-R, the unholy creation of British drift meister Stephen Biagioni and his SB Motorsports crew. Unseating the original diesel engine under the hood is a VR38 twin-turbo V6 engine lifted straight from a donor Godzilla, but Biagioni wasn’t about to be satisfied with its stock form.
The engine was heavily modified for the task, having its displacement upsized from the default 3.8 to 4.1 liters. Add more custom work such as a bespoke exhaust manifold and dual Garrett turbochargers, all over the course of 160 hours, and the result is 1,000 horses raring to set the bitumen on fire as the reborn VR41.
The VR41 sourced from the GT-R sitting between two Garrett turbochargers
All that power is enough to strike fear into the hearts of many a run-of-the-mill gearbox, which is why Biagioni turned to Dodson Motorsport of New Zealand to put together a special dual-clutch transmission that distributes the output to all four wheels. More than the engine, however, the GT-R also contributed its subframes, now mounting KW V4 Racing Coilovers and an HLS 4 Hydraulic Lift System.
Stopping power also received an upgrade with a shift to Alcon Specialist RC4 and RC6 brakes. Enabling the Navara-R to zoom across the tarmac is a set of 20-inch alloy wheels from BBS.
Even the steering wheel comes straight from a Godzilla
Of course, the extensively reworked rig needs to look the part as well, courtesy of a custom-built wide bodykit from Sterling Automotive comprising fender add-ons, bumper extensions, two rear spoilers and a prominent front splitter. These are accompanied by a custom racecar-style wrap by Fleet Livery Solutions.
For the interior, nothing less than a GT-R steering wheel will do, set against a digital instrument cluster. Drivers make themselves at home on Sparco bucket seats while basking in the sounds of the Kenwood infotainment system, accessible via a large central touchscreen.
You wouldn't mind taking this pickup on errands all day
The entire build was two years in the making, and what’s even more surprising is that SB Motorsports is offering the whole setup as a conversion option. Interested customers should prepare themselves to be set back by £250,000 (over Php 16.5 million). If you have a Navara in need of an upgrade and tons of disposable cash to spare, this could be worth considering.
Read about more wild rides at Philkotse.com.
Know more about Nissan Navara 2024
The Nissan Navara is a pickup truck that is available in the Philippines. Nissan Navara 2025 Philippines price starting from Php 1,115,000 to Php 1,865,000. This price range is covered within the truck's nine variants, with the PRO-4X as the most expensive Navara. Under the hood, the Japanese pickup is powered by a 2.5-liter YD25DDTi inline-4 DOHC turbodiesel engine. Depending on the variant, the horsepower ranges from 161 to 190, while the torque in newton meters varies from 403 to 450. Either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed automatic transmission is paired to the engine.
Dimensions-wise, the Navara spans 5,260 mm in length, 1,875 mm in width, and 1,855 mm in height, with the wheelbase rated at 3,150 mm. In addition, the bed dimensions (L x W x H x H) are 1,470 mm long, 1,495 mm wide, and 470 mm and 520 mm in height. Locally, this pickup truck competes against the likes of the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, and Mitsubishi Strada.
Nissan Navara Launch
The Nissan Navara got its name from a region in Northern Spain, the Navarre. Its first-generation model was released in 1997 and got a facelift in 2000, while the second generation was unveiled in 2004 featuring a redesigned compact body with the Nissan F-Alpha platform.
And now, Nissan Philippines introduced the facelifted model of the third-generation model of the midsize pickup truck this 2025. The Japanese carmaker adds the new top-of-the-line variant called PRO-4X which comes with exclusive exterior and interior details that can separate it from its competitors in terms of styling. Nissan's truck currently competes against the Toyota Hilux, Isuzu D-Max, Ford Ranger, among others.
Nissan Navara Exterior
The biggest visual change on the 2025 Navara is found on the front end. It gains a larger grille, a more angular front bumper, and a new pair of quad LED headlights. Looking at the new front end, especially on the top-spec Pro-4X, reminds us of the Nissan Titan for the American market. Other front fascia changes include the new headlamps are the new, daytime running lamps, which assume a futuristic, angular design
2025 Nissan Navara facelift
Moving on towards the rear, the midsize pickup truck gains a more modern-looking tailgate. The taillights feature a revamped design that features a C-shaped LED lighting element. In terms of style, the Pro-4X is clearly the most imposing with its black-colored grille and trim pieces. For an additional splash of color, this trim also receives orange accents found on the over-fenders, as well as the faux-recovery hooks on the plastic skid plate.
Nissan Navara Interior
When the facelift model was introduced in the Philippines, much of the interior remained the same as compared to the outgoing model. The door cards are a combination of soft and hard surfaces, but the dashboard is still mostly made out of textured, sturdy plastic. Zero gravity-type seats are installed in the cabin with the VL and PRO-4X variants utilizing leather, while the lower-trim VE and EL variants come with fabric.
Interior view of the Nissan Navara
Standard features in the 2025 Nissan Navara include two cupholders and bottle holders each in the front and the rear, four USB ports for charging, high type meter with a 7-inch color TFT display (except for the base EL variant only), an armrest for the rear passengers, and door pockets in the front and rear.
Technology & Safety Features
All variants except the entry-level EL come with a dual-zone automatic air-conditioning system with rear vents. The Pro-4X, VL, and VE also get an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, Aux-in, and USB connectivity. For the aforementioned variants, the infotainment system is linked to six speakers for entertainment while cruising down Philippines roads. Meanwhile, the EL variant gets the 2-DIN with four speakers.
The 8-inch infotainment screen
Standard on all trim levels of the Nissan Navara is six airbags. This includes dual front airbags, side airbags, and side curtain airbags. Also standard across all trims are vehicle dynamic control, anti-lock braking with electronic brake-force distribution, ISOFIX child seat tethers, speed-sensing door locks, a car alarm, and an engine immobilizer.
Platform & Chassis
The Nissan Navara is manufactured using a rigid body-on-frame structure and the Nissan F-Alpha Platform (D23). A 4x4 and 4x2 drivetrain version is available locally. For suspension, it is built with an independent Double Wishbone paired with a coil spring and stabilizer bar at the front, and a five-link coil spring with a stabilizer at the back. Braking is assisted by ventilated discs at the front and drums at the rear.
It is built for the off-road
We happen to put the Japanese car brand's pickup truck to the test by driving it on the famous Paoay Sand Dunes in the Philippines. The truck's stability and control are outstanding, especially with the use of its 4x4 system complemented with a differential lock for seamlessly riding through steep and uneven roads.
Engine & Drivetrain
Making its return for the Nissan Navara Philippines’s midcycle refresh is the 2.5-liter YD25 inline-4 turbodiesel engine. Of note, there are two tunes for this engine. For all the variants except the EL, the said engine can make up to 190 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque, while the EL’s 2.5-liter mill makes a bit less at 163 horsepower and 403 Nm of torque. It can be paired to either a 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic (with a manual mode) transmission.
Ready to take on road challenges
Available colors for the Nissan Navara are Galaxy Black, Fiery Red, Stealth Pearl Gray, Aspen Pearl White, Forged Metallic Copper, Lunar Metallic Gray, Brilliant Silver, and Alpine White.
One can say that the Nissan Navara leads the segment in terms of suspension against the likes of the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux thanks to its coil spring setup.
Nissan Navara 2025 Price List
| Variants | Price |
|---|---|
| Nissan Navara 2.5 EL MT 4x2 | ₱1,115,000 |
| Nissan Navara 2.5 VE Calibre MT 4x2 | ₱1,320,000 |
| Nissan Navara 2.5 VE Calibre AT 4x2 | ₱1,410,000 |
| Nissan Navara 2.5 VE MT 4x4 | ₱1,460,000 |
| Nissan Navara 2.5 VL Calibre AT 4x2 | ₱1,560,000 |
| Nissan Navara 2.5 VL Calibre AT 4x2 (Aspen Pearl White) | ₱1,575,000 |
| Nissan Navara 2.5 Calibre-X AT 4x2 | ₱1,630,000 |
| Nissan Navara 2.5 Calibre-X AT 4x2 (Aspen Pearl) | ₱1,645,000 |
| Nissan Navara 2.5 VL MT 4x4 (Aspen Pearl White) | ₱1,660,000 |
| Nissan Navara 2.5 VL AT 4x4 | ₱1,740,000 |
| Nissan Navara 2.5 VL AT 4x4 (Aspen Pearl White) | ₱1,755,000 |
| Nissan Navara 2.5 PRO-4X AT 4x4 | ₱1,850,000 |
| Nissan Navara 2.5 PRO-4X AT 4x4 (Aspen Pearl White) | ₱1,865,000 |
Nissan Navara Pros & Cons
Pros
-
Tough powertrain
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Uses coil springs for the front and rear
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Nissan Intelligent Mobility
Cons
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No available cab & chassis configuration
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Mid-spec VL wheels look odd
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Bedliner is not standard even in PRO-4X
Nissan Navara FAQs
1. What are the overall dimensions of the Nissan Navara?
Its length comes standard as 5,255mm long across the range. However, its width and height vary depending on the variant.
2. Does the Nissan Navara offer a spacious interior?
Yes, a roomy interior is a plus point of the Navara. The pickup offers a wide head and legroom for 5 fully-grown people.
3. Is the Nissan Navara a reliable pickup truck?
Yes, the Navara has spanned through over 20 years of production. It comes equipped with a very reliable engine, as well as a very robust chassis.
4. How much does the Nissan Navara 2025 cost?
The Nissan Navara costs approximately Php 1,115,000 to Php 1,865,000 depending on the variants.
5. In terms of safety features, how many airbags do all the variants of the Nissan Navara 2023 have?
All the variants of the Nissan Navara are equipped with 6 airbags.
₱ 1,071,000 - ₱ 1,811,000
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