Ready for a much-needed motorsport pick-me-up? Well, when the team that brought you the world’s first 1200bhp V8 powered Nissan GT-R announce their next project, you better be ready to check out the Navara-R. Haters look away now.
This is a time when the entire motorsport community is keeping away from race tracks and weathering the global lockdown. However, Stephen ‘Baggsy’ Biagioni and his team of engineers at SB Motorsport have used the unexpected downtime to plan their next groundbreaking build.
In short: The Navara-R.
In other words, Baggsy and his team are going to create the world’s fastest drift-ready and road-going Nissan Navara pickup. Transforming an ordinary 4×4 utility vehicle usually found on farms and construction sites into a tyre-slaying monster isn’t going to be a simple task though.
The Navara’s trusty diesel engine will be ripped out in favour of a specially modified 1000bhp+ VR38 twin-turbo power plant. None other than the engine you would normally find under the bonnet of Nissan’s flagship performance car; the R35 GT-R. “This project has always been on the cards for SB Motorsport, ever since our initial GTR project,” explains Baggsy.
“With racing currently on hold, this was the break we needed to re-visit the idea and bring it to fruition. We have the best partners and they share our vision to create another great vehicle that will challenge what is really possible. This is going to be an exciting mix of performance meets practicality.
“The Navara-R will challenge our in-house know-how. With this build, the aim is to keep the Navara road legal, with all the mod-cons of the vehicle. Rather than creating a race-car chassis with minimal extras. I’m confident in our team here at SB Motorsport. And honestly excited to see the development and work alongside our partners, who happen to be the world’s leading experts in their respected fields.”
Encompassing a total rebuild, this is more than just a wild engine swap. The Navara-R will feature custom-built running gear and suspension as well as a wide-body aero kit. This is so that it has the killer looks and handling to match its raw straight-line performance.
What’s more, SB Motorsport is aiming to retain as much of the factory-fitted interior as possible. Including the pick-up’s rear load space and a fully functional tow bar.
Want to know more?
SB Motorsport is taking fans along for the ride with a series of interactive “Mission CTRL: Navara-R” Livestreams, on Baggsy’s YouTube channel. The shows will be packed with features and will include special guests, and exclusive behind-the-scenes access. As well as a chance for viewers to interact and influence on how the Navara-R turns out.
Look out for the first show on June 10th and the 2nd Wednesday of each month over the summer. https://www.youtube.com/user/StephenBiagioni
