Nissan put its mark in the sand this week with a newly-revitalized Frontier Pro mid-sized pickup announcement at the Auto Shanghai show. The plug-in hybrid pickup will mark Nissan’s first foray into PHEV technology, and the Japanese brand’s first electrified pickup. The Frontier has always been marketed as a rugged and tough truck, and this one is no different, with design cues harkening back to Nissan’s unbeatable Hardbody pickup of the 1980s, likely still in use by a lawn care or home maintenance laborer in your town. The new five-seat truck was “designed for families who seek a vehicle that can comfortably and efficiently support their daily urban driving as well as weekend adventures beyond the city limits.”
Nissan
Gone from the Frontier is the old naturally-aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine, and in its place is a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and a “high output” electric motor in the transmission. Combined the two produce about 400 horsepower, which is significantly up from the current Frontier’s 310 ponies. For the Chinese market Nissan has fitted the Frontier Pro with a battery it claims will provide up to 84 miles of all-electric range before the gas engine kicks in.
Truck folks, don’t fret, the Frontier Pro is still an old-school body-on-frame pickup. However the old-school 4×4 transfer case appears to be gone in favor of a more comfortable five-link rear suspension and “intelligent all-wheel drive.” The truck does offer an electromechanical rear locking differential for the off-roaders, and four drive modes are available: Hybrid, Pure electric, Performance, and Snow.
What do you get?
The new interior features a standard panoramic sunroof, a massive LCD instrument cluster, and an even bigger infotainment screen. Heated, ventilated, and massage seats are available to order for front seat passengers.
This appears to be a nicely appointed and attractively-designed pickup with lots of power and the ability to drive in all-electric comfort while still capable of hauling big loads across the country if necessary. It should be a win-win for anyone who needs to use a truck but doesn’t want to suffer the ignominy of 12MPG daily commutes.
The truck will, at least at first, be produced in China for the Chinese market, as it was co-developed with Zhengzhou Nissan. The truck is expected to hit the market before the end of this year. According to Nissan, the truck will also be exported to markets outside of China, “recipient markets to be the subject of a future announcement.” It remains to be seen whether current U.S. trade policies will prevent this truck from ever making it to our shores.
