By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
The Auto Magazine
  • Home
  • Auto Shows
    Auto ShowsShow More
    Entries Open for The Cape 1000 – South Africa’s Most Beautiful Drive Returns for 2026
    June 10, 2025
    Ulterio Motiv Toyota Land Cruiser 6×6 and 6×4 to invade Land Cruiser Festival
    June 3, 2025
    Driving Trade Forward: AfCFTA, AGOA,BRICS and the Tariffs – All On The Menu At Automechanika CEO Breakfast
    May 9, 2025
    LDV (Maxus as Known in China) Makes a Bold Statement at Shanghai Motor Show
    April 30, 2025
    Upcoming OMODA C3 redefines the crossover with cyber-mecha aesthetics
    April 29, 2025
  • Bikes
    BikesShow More
    25YM Honda NC750X
    May 13, 2025
    BMW Motorrad presents the new R 18 models
    January 22, 2025
    BMW Motorrad presents the BMW Concept F 450 GS
    November 5, 2024
    BMW Motorrad presents the new bikes
    November 1, 2024
    24YM HONDA NX500
    October 15, 2024
  • News
    NewsShow More
    Isuzu Motors South Africa drives ISUZU Environmental Vision locally
    June 12, 2025
    JLR appoints 50 specialists to boost resilience of new electric vehicle supply chains
    June 12, 2025
    Climb, Crawl, and Conquer: Mastering the Essential Skills of Off-Road Driving
    June 11, 2025
    Rethinking mobility for South Africans beyond traditional vehicle finance
    June 11, 2025
    Chery’s Tiggo 7 CSH protects what you can’t see
    June 10, 2025
  • Concepts
    ConceptsShow More
    Audi unveils Q6 e-tron offroad concept
    January 28, 2025
    CITROEN PRESENTS C5 AIRCROSS CONCEPT
    October 15, 2024
    Lotus Unveils Theory 1:  The Future Of Intelligent Performance
    September 23, 2024
    First sketches of Škoda Enyaq RS Race
    May 3, 2024
    W16 Mistral: the art of bringing Bugatti’s ultimate roadster to life
    January 24, 2024
  • EVs
    EVsShow More
    Special Envoy Launches XPress – SA’s First Full EV Courier Fleet
    June 11, 2025
    JAECOO J7 SHS debuts in South Africa with 90 km all-electric range
    June 10, 2025
    OMODA launches C9 PHEV in South Africa
    June 10, 2025
    Volvo Car South Africa reaffirms sustainability ambitions on World Environment Day
    June 5, 2025
    Volvo’s electric momentum builds on impressive EX30 and EX90 sales in South Africa
    May 29, 2025
  • Motosport
    MotosportShow More
    Didi Bizzarro brings the fire back to Durban
    June 10, 2025
    Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team finish second overall at Rally Italia Sardegna
    June 10, 2025
    TGRJA’S FUTURE STARS READY TO SHINE ON IDUBE’S SLOPES
    June 10, 2025
    MONSOON CONDITIONS TEST DRIVERS AND RIDERS TO THE LIMIT AT KILLARNEY RACEWAY
    June 10, 2025
    Comeback Kid Ruche Moodley Bounces Back with Points in Aragon
    June 10, 2025
  • Trucks & Buses
    Trucks & BusesShow More
    UD Trucks Southern Africa celebrates dealers breaking barriers at 2025 awards ceremony
    June 11, 2025
    HINO KUILSRIVIER ACHIEVES PRESTIGIOUS FIRST-TIME VICTORY AS HINO DEALER OF THE YEAR
    June 10, 2025
    NAMIB MILLS RELIES ON HINO FOR RELIABILITY AND EFFICIENCY
    June 4, 2025
    Volvo reaches milestone with 5,000 electric trucks sold worldwide
    April 29, 2025
    HINO ONCE AGAIN ANSWERS FARMERS’ CALL FOR HELP
    April 24, 2025
  • Reviews
    ReviewsShow More
    Discovery Sport gets new Metropolitan and Landmark editions
    June 11, 2025
    The Mercedes-AMG E 53 HYBRID 4MATIC+: Executive Performance redefined
    June 10, 2025
    King of the Hill, the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE: Fastest accelerating AMG series model
    June 4, 2025
    The All-New Honda Amaze – Practical Is In!
    May 28, 2025
    Defender upgraded: The unstoppable 4×4 is now even more distinctive 
    May 28, 2025
  • Tech
    TechShow More
    Volvo EX90 LiDAR and smartphone cameras: What you need to know
    June 2, 2025
    Chery unveils AiMOGA: Revolutionising the car-buying experience through intelligent robotics
    April 24, 2025
    Volvo Cars uses AI and virtual worlds with the aim to create safer cars
    March 21, 2025
    Chery drives AI innovation with DeepSeek partnership
    March 3, 2025
    Stellantis Unveils STLA AutoDrive
    February 20, 2025
Hot News
Isuzu Motors South Africa drives ISUZU Environmental Vision locally
JLR appoints 50 specialists to boost resilience of new electric vehicle supply chains
Discovery Sport gets new Metropolitan and Landmark editions
UD Trucks Southern Africa celebrates dealers breaking barriers at 2025 awards ceremony
Climb, Crawl, and Conquer: Mastering the Essential Skills of Off-Road Driving
Auto ShowsLatest News

The new Continental GT Speed debuts at Goodwood

Latest News

The passion between Alfa Romeo and Switzerland proves stronger and stronger

ReviewsElectric Vehicles

Kia EV3 delivers elevated electric SUV experience

Reviews

The Mercedes-AMG E 53 HYBRID 4MATIC+: Executive Performance redefined

Font ResizerAa
The Auto MagazineThe Auto Magazine
  • Home
  • Auto Shows
  • Bikes
  • News
  • Concepts
  • EVs
  • Motosport
  • Trucks & Buses
  • Reviews
  • Tech
Search
  • Home
  • Auto Shows
  • Bikes
  • News
  • Concepts
  • EVs
  • Motosport
  • Trucks & Buses
  • Reviews
  • Tech
Follow US
Crafted by Intellegere Media. © 2024 The Auto Magazine. All rights reserved.
Latest News

2025 Nissan Spirit of Africa gears up with Navara Warrior power

Itumeleng Garebatshabe
Last updated: June 2, 2025 22:16
By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
36 Views
6 Min Read
Share
6 Min Read
SHARE
  • The Nissan Spirit of Africa Trophy 2025 elimination round is heating up at the Sandwani Game Lodge in Gauteng, as a total of 400 teams vie for a place in the finals.
  • Now in its 21st year, the event continues a proud legacy as Africa’s toughest off-road challenge.
  • This year’s competition features the recently launched Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior as the event’s official 4×4.
  • An exclusive Media Participation Day was held on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, with an invitation for journalists to experience the adrenaline of the Spirit of Africa.

Widely recognised as the continent’s toughest 4×4 driving challenge, the Nissan Spirit of Africa Trophy is revving up for its 21st anniversary and third annual edition under the Nissan banner. Elimination rounds for the 2025 competition began on 22 April, with 400 two-person teams testing their off-road driving skills to secure a coveted spot in the Top 20, which will be announced after 21 June.

All the action is taking place at the Sandwani Game Lodge in Gauteng, as this year’s competitors tackle the course in the newly launched Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior by Premcar – a South African-produced, Australian-engineered high-performance Navara variant introduced to the country in March.

Founded by rally legend Sarel van der Merwe 21 years ago, the Nissan Spirit of Africa Trophy gives off-road enthusiasts the chance to compete on equal footing in a gruelling off-road gauntlet. During the elimination phase, participants power through various skills-based trials requiring precision driving on tricky terrain, as well as challenging speed tests designed to put the Warrior and its drivers through their paces.

An exclusive Media Participation Day was held on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, during which members of the motoring press had the opportunity to experience the Spirit of Africa challenge first-hand. On the day, journalists and influencers navigated the same Sandwani trails in the Navara PRO-4X Warrior by Premcar under competition conditions, allowing them to test their mettle against the fellow motoring media heavyweights and discover the Warrior’s power in action.

To accommodate for schedules, 22 select journalists and influencers completed 12 of the 16 total Spirit of Africa events, competing in four technical and eight high-octane speed challenges. Those fastest over the line or with the least number of infractions walked home at the top of the day’s log. Infractions varied between 10 and 30 points deducted or seconds added per infringement pole struck.

With a total of 948 points out of 1,200, Brendon Staniforth (Maroela Media) and Oliver Keohane (Leisure Wheels) claimed the top spot, followed by Reuben van Niekerk (Wheels24) and Denis Droppa (Business Day) in second place, and Willem van de Putte (IOL) and Anton Willemse (4×4 Africa) in third.

Maciej Klenkiewicz, Country Managing Director for Nissan South Africa and Independent Markets Africa (IMA) says, “The surge in enthusiasm and the popularity of this competition – growing from 300 to 400 fully booked team groups in just a year – is remarkable.

“This year’s series is particularly exciting, with the introduction of the Warrior as the new official competition vehicle. The Warrior is specifically engineered for exactly these kinds of intense, severe driving circumstances, and we can’t imagine better grounds for proving its capabilities than the Spirit of Africa.”

Engineered for extreme terrain

The Navara PRO-4X Warrior by Premcar is a flagship variant of Nissan’s Navara range, specially enhanced for rugged performance. The Navara variant was recently launched on local shores as part of a collaboration between Nissan and Australian engineering firm Premcar, making South Africa the first market outside Australia to build and offer the Warrior. Manufactured at Nissan’s Rosslyn plant near Pretoria, the Warrior boasts a 2.5-litre DDTi turbo-diesel engine, putting out 140 kW of power and 450 Nm of torque.

Premcar’s enhancements to the Navara include a reinforced suspension with newly tuned springs and dampers, increased ride height and ground clearance, a wider track, a heavy-duty bash plate, reinforced underbody, and high-performance all-terrain tyres – all designed to withstand the most punishing landscapes Africa has to offer.

As teams continue to negotiate the demanding Spirit of Africa obstacles this month – ranging from high-speed rally-type segments to tight manoeuvres through harsh terrain – the Warrior’s blend of torque, durability, and intelligent 4×4 technology is essential to conquering the course.

“The Spirit of Africa is a true reflection of Nissan’s heritage and commitment in South Africa. For decades, we’ve built vehicles locally that are made to meet the demands of our unique and rugged terrain. Seeing the Warrior – proudly assembled at our Rosslyn plant – go head-to-head with Africa’s toughest conditions is not only a moment of pride, but a powerful demonstration of what we stand for: capability, endurance, and a deep connection to the people and places that drive us forward,” says Klenkiewicz.

By the end of the elimination round in June, the top 20 teams will have proven their own prowess, while demonstrating the Warrior’s endurance. These finalists will advance to a grand finale event later in 2025, where the ultimate winner of the 2025 Spirit of Africa Trophy will be crowned.

TAGGED:Media Participation DayNissanNissan Navara PRO-4X WarriorNissan Spirit of Africa Trophy

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Stay Updated! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn VKontakte Telegram Email Copy Link Print
Share
ByItumeleng Garebatshabe
Editor
Follow:
Itumeleng is the Managing Editor of The Auto Magazine. He is a tech and car enthusiast

Follow US

FacebookLike
XFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe
TiktokFollow
TelegramFollow
Google NewsFollow
LinkedInFollow

You Might Also Like

Latest News

Renault Group to sell up to 1M Nissan shares

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
April 3, 2024
Latest News

Nissan reports first-half results for fiscal year 2023

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
November 10, 2023
Interviews

From road car engineering to Nissan Formula E powertrain design

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
April 4, 2024
Latest News

Nissan reaches 1 million global sales of electric vehicles

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
July 25, 2023
Latest News

Nissan launches the Ariya NISMO in Japan

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
March 9, 2024
Latest News

Renault Group and Nissan announce the completion of their agreements

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
November 8, 2023

The Auto Magazine

  • Advertise
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookie Policy
  • Bikes
  • Electric Vehicles
  • Trucks & Buses
  • Auto Shows
  • Latest News
  • Motosport

Crafted by Intellegere Media. All rights reserved. 2024

Don't not sell my personal information
Join Us!
Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news, podcasts etc.

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
adbanner