Nissan Turns Heads with the Debut of the Frontier Pro Plug-in Hybrid Pickup
This latest model marks a distinct break from Nissan's legacy of gas-only pickups. With a strong blend of power, innovation, and eco-conscious design, it's aimed squarely at both professionals who rely on their truck daily and outdoor enthusiasts looking for weekend escape vehicles.
While it carries the Frontier name, this new hybrid isn't related to the Frontier Pro X or Pro 4X trucks found in North America. Debuting at the Shanghai Auto Show, it's Nissan's first plug-in hybrid pickup, built on the Dongfeng Z9 platform—a model that entered the Chinese market earlier this year.
Although Nissan has previously released models with its e-Power technology, those weren't true hybrids in the plug-in sense. This new version breaks new ground. Designed at Nissan's Shanghai design center, it sports a sleek light bar with styling cues that nod to the old Nissan/Datsun D21 Hardbody's distinct three-hole hood. The back features an available powered tonneau cover that retracts electrically.
Size-wise, this hybrid is larger than the U.S.-market D41-generation Frontier short-bed. It stretches 5,520 mm in length, spans 1,960 mm in width, and stands 1,950 mm tall. It rides on a 3,300 mm wheelbase and tips the scales between 2,500 and 2,540 kg, depending on configuration. Every version rolls on 18-inch wheels wrapped in 265/65 rubber.
Under the hood—or more accurately, under the skin—the truck combines a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four engine with an electric motor built into the transmission. Together, they churn out over 402 horsepower and 800 Nm of torque. While Nissan hasn't detailed the battery specs, it claims a driving range of 135 kilometers (around 84 miles) under the CLTC testing cycle, which is known for being overly generous.
The suspension setup features an independent double-wishbone layout in the front and a five-link system at the rear. There's also an electromechanical rear differential lock. Drivers can manually switch between 4High and 4Low, and the truck includes performance and snow settings along with selectable hybrid and full-electric modes.
Inside, the cabin pops with a bold neon yellow accent theme. It's tech-heavy, offering a 14.6-inch central touchscreen and a 10-inch digital gauge cluster. Optional features include ventilated and heated front seats with massage functionality. A vehicle-to-load system allows external devices to draw up to 6 kW of power from a rear bed-mounted V2L outlet.
Although its debut is in China, Nissan doesn't plan to keep the Frontier Pro Plug-in Hybrid exclusive to that market. However, steep U.S. tariffs could block its entry into the American market, at least for now.
With this truck, Nissan blends classic truck cues with future-facing technology. It manages to look familiar while introducing a new era of electrified utility. Whether on a job site or a backwoods trail, the Frontier Pro Plug-in Hybrid delivers both capability and efficiency. It's a bold statement in the evolving truck landscape and another sign that electric power is no longer just a concept—it's here to stay.
Nissan Frontier Pro Plug-in Hybrid Pickup Gallery:
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ArabGT
10 hours ago
- ArabGT
Mitsubishi Bows Out of the Chinese Market
In a move that feels less like strategy and more like surrender, Mitsubishi has officially withdrawn from the Chinese market. It's a stunning admission of defeat in the world's most competitive and influential automotive arena—a place where success can elevate a brand globally, and failure can end it. For Mitsubishi, China was once the land of promise. A place to regain lost ground and reassert relevance. But after years of dwindling sales and fading presence, that dream has come to an end. The company's factory, built through a joint venture with GAC Motor, is shutting down. The hopes it once had are now just part of a long list of what could've been. China is no longer just a huge market—it's the heartbeat of the industry. With over 25 million cars sold each year, it's where the future is written. Mitsubishi's numbers? Fewer than 4,000 vehicles sold in Q1 of 2023. That's not a foothold—that's a freefall. So, What Went Wrong? Quite a few things, but three stand out: The EV Revolution Passed Them By : While local giants like BYD and newcomers like Xpeng stormed the market with affordable and innovative electric cars, Mitsubishi was stuck in neutral. Design That Didn't Speak to Today's Buyer : Their models looked and felt outdated next to the tech-packed, design-forward offerings from Chinese brands. A Strategy That Never Took Root: The partnership with GAC lacked chemistry, and Mitsubishi failed to craft a message or product lineup that truly connected with Chinese consumers. What About the U.S.? Things aren't as dire, but they're not encouraging either. Mitsubishi is phasing out the Mirage—its most budget-friendly model—and raising prices in the face of rising tariffs. It's betting on a new roadmap called 'Momentum 2030,' which includes an upcoming EV co-developed with Nissan. But we're talking 2026 at the earliest, and details are still vague. Europe's Hope Rides on Renault In Europe, Mitsubishi is leaning heavily on its Renault alliance, bringing back models like the ASX and Colt—but not really. These are Renaults in disguise, and while that might fill the lineup, it doesn't do much for brand identity. Real momentum may come in 2025 or 2026 with the debut of a new electric crossover, but that too remains a question mark. Is There Still a Way Forward? Mitsubishi isn't dead—not yet. It still has loyal buyers in Southeast Asia and Latin America. But survival now depends on more than just holding on. It needs: A full-throttle move into electric and hybrid technology—no more delay. Cars that are bold, fresh, and unmistakably Mitsubishi. Real synergy with Nissan and Renault—shared vision, not just shared parts. The exit from China might look like a closing chapter, but it could also be a wake-up call. The world isn't waiting. Neither should Mitsubishi.
Al Arabiya
15-07-2025
- Al Arabiya
Nissan to close its Oppama plant in Japan to cut costs
Nissan is closing its flagship factory in Oppama, Japan, to cut costs and moving all its production there to another plant in southwestern Japan. Vehicle production at the Oppama plant in Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo, will end at the end of the 2027 fiscal year in March 2028, the Japanese automaker said Tuesday in a statement. After that, all models that had been made or scheduled for production at Oppama will be made at Nissan Motor Kyushu in Fukuoka Prefecture. The Oppama plant has been a prized symbol for Nissan Motor Corp., which rolled out its Leaf electric car there in 2010 ahead of key rivals. The plant's closure was expected as the maker of the Infiniti luxury models and March subcompact has said repeatedly that it is restructuring its operations to boost its profitability, including by consolidating production sites. Nissan, based in the port city of Yokohama, says the tariff policies of President Donald Trump have hurt its bottom line. Earlier this year, Nissan said it was slashing about 15 percent of its global work force, or about 20,000 employees, which would include a 9,000 head count reduction announced late last year, including in China. The company has been racking up losses hurt by slipping vehicle sales in China and elsewhere, huge restructuring costs, and ballooning inventories. Earlier this year, Nissan said it's reducing the number of its auto plants to 10 from 17 to create a leaner, more resilient business. At that time, it didn't say which plants were being closed but confirmed the closures will include factories in Japan. It's also reducing production capacity to 2.5 million units from 3.5 million. Nissan racked up a loss of 670.9 billion yen (4.5 billion) for the fiscal year through March, down from a 426.6 billion yen profit recorded in the previous fiscal year. Its chief executive, Ivan Espinosa, took up the post in April and was set to speak to reporters later Tuesday. He replaced Makoto Uchida, who stepped down to take responsibility for the faltering results.
ArabGT
14-07-2025
- ArabGT
Nissan to Potentially Build a New Honda Pickup in U.S
Honda already has a midsize truck in its lineup — the Honda Ridgeline — but it's never truly resonated with traditional truck buyers. Built on a unibody platform shared with Honda's SUVs, the Ridgeline offers comfort and practicality, yet lacks the ruggedness, towing strength, and off-road capability that many American truck customers expect. As a result, it has consistently lagged behind body-on-frame rivals in both sales and perception. Images shown in this article depict the current Honda Ridgeline and do not represent the potential new pickup under discussion. This market gap appears to be motivating Honda to consider a major strategic shift. The company is reportedly in talks with Nissan to produce a new Honda pickup in the U.S., with manufacturing potentially taking place at Nissan's facility in Canton, Mississippi. The move would allow Honda to offer a more traditional, body-on-frame truck — likely based on the Nissan Frontier — without having to design and build a new model from scratch. The Canton plant currently builds the Frontier and the Altima. With the Altima nearing the end of its production run and delays affecting Nissan's electric vehicle plans, the facility has available capacity. That makes it a prime candidate for a manufacturing collaboration that could benefit both brands. For Honda, this partnership would open the door to a new kind of Honda pickup — one that's better suited to the expectations of conventional truck buyers. It also allows Honda to increase its domestic production footprint, which would help minimize tariff exposure and strengthen supply chain resilience. For Nissan, the deal would improve efficiency at a plant that's currently operating well below full capacity. Adding volume through a new production arrangement could make a meaningful impact on the plant's profitability and long-term sustainability. While no official confirmation has been made, a rebadged or slightly modified version of the Frontier carrying Honda's name seems to be the most likely outcome. Whether this new Honda pickup would replace the Ridgeline or be sold alongside it remains to be seen. In either case, the collaboration signals a strategic evolution. Honda gains access to a proven truck platform, while Nissan capitalizes on underused resources. Together, they could deliver a product that fills a critical gap in Honda's U.S. lineup — and finally gives the brand a foothold in the fiercely competitive world of traditional pickups.
