In a landmark move set to shake up the local bakkie market, the Nissan Navara Stealth returns to South Africa following a nearly six-year hiatus. Nissan unveiled the highly anticipated model to a select group of motoring journalists, partners, and employees during an exclusive three-day launch event in Magaliesberg from July 8th to July 10th.
Purpose-built on home soil, Nissan strategically positions this bakkie for African roads, slotting it between the Navara LE and PRO-4X variants. Built at the Rosslyn plant, a comprehensive six-year/150,000 km warranty protects the Stealth, which is available nationwide from R695,200.
Bold Styling Defines the New Nissan Navara Stealth
The Navara has long set the benchmark for everyday reliability and versatility. The new Stealth, however, builds on this reputation with a sharper, more assertive presence tailored to drivers who expect more from their double-cab.
It is undoubtedly the perfect bakkie for navigating rush-hour traffic from Monday to Friday, hauling gear across mountains on a Saturday, and still drawing attention at the Sunday braai.
Maciej Klenkiewicz, Country Director for Nissan South Africa and Independent Markets Africa (IMA), elaborates on the bakkie’s bold persona:
“Despite its name, the Stealth isn’t subtle or quiet by any means. Although it trades the striking chrome of the Navara for bold matte and gloss black accents, its road presence is far too daring to miss. A Navara Stealth driver is someone who’s particularly drawn to the power and precision of a masterfully engineered bakkie of this calibre, yet still wants to arrive at their destination in a vehicle that turns heads.”
— Maciej Klenkiewicz, Country Director for Nissan South Africa and Independent Markets Africa (IMA)
To that end, the roof rails, grille, mirror caps, door handles, and side steps all share a deep black finish, while the Stealth signature on the doors and tailgate complements this look. In addition, a nudge bar, sports bar, and 17-inch alloy wheels give the Stealth an attractively aggressive character.
The bakkie achieves all this without compromising its iconic upmarket Navara polish. Inside, a refinished interior featuring all-black leather-trimmed seats, door panels, and armrests continues the theme.
Furthermore, a configurable touch infotainment screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capabilities provides sound through six speakers. At the same time, front and rear USB-C ports enable a relaxing and connected commute.
Experience the Nissan Navara Stealth’s Power and Comfort
Under the bonnet, the Stealth boasts a 2.5-litre DDTi diesel engine that produces 140 kW and 450 Nm of torque through a seven-speed gearbox. Peak torque is achieved at a low 2,000 rpm, while engine power peaks at 3,600 rpm, making for a powerful yet smooth drive on even the steepest of passes.
Coupled with an 80-litre tank, the engine’s relatively low fuel consumption gives the Stealth enough legs to clear the Karoo on a single fill. Bakkie devotees will especially appreciate the Navara range’s unique five-link rear suspension system with coil springs—standard on the Stealth—instead of traditional leaf springs.
Recalibrated dampers with faster rebound recovery consequently allow the rear suspension to return to its normal position more quickly after compression. This enhancement provides the Stealth with both superior comfort and handling, significantly reducing fatigue during long trips or over rough terrain.
Built in SA, For Africa
“The Navara Stealth again demonstrates Nissan’s long-term dedication to the African market. As part of our comprehensive product strategy, we’ve recently introduced several key models across the continent… Joining the Warrior and PRO-4X, the Stealth’s launch represents another milestone in the roll-out of a strong pipeline of products tailored for African customers. Ultimately, Africa remains a bakkie-forward continent, with an evolving demand for tough 4x4s and 4x2s that can withstand even the most extreme road conditions. As Nissan expands into new markets globally and refines our current offerings, the Stealth represents our commitment to meeting customers’ requirements at every turn.”
— Jordi Vila, President of Nissan Africa
For Nissan South Africa, the production of the Stealth further validates the Rosslyn plant’s ability to pivot between derivatives tailored for the African market without lengthening takt time. This flexibility ensures production closely matches client demand, thus enabling the facility to pursue new export opportunities across the continent.
Interested in the new Nissan Navara Stealth? Visit the Nissan website: www.nissan.co.za
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