Latest news with #Xterra
Car and Driver
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
2028 Mitsubishi Montero Emerges from the Shadows in Spy Photos
These spy photos could preview the new Mitsubishi Montero, with the body-on-frame SUV last appearing in the United States in 2006. Last year, Mitsubishi filed a U.S. trademark for the name "Montero," and it's possible that it could return alongside a new Nissan Xterra. With Nissan reportedly considering onshoring production of BoF models, a collab with Mitsubishi could see a new Montero built in Canton, Mississippi. It's been a minute since Mitsubishi sold a model in America that's worth getting excited about. That could change if the camouflaged SUV in these spy photos turns out to be what we think it is: a new Mitsubishi Montero. The Montero was a body-on-frame mid-size SUV in the same vein as the Toyota 4Runner and Nissan Xterra. A 2005 Montero finished third out of six in our off-road SUV comparo, and then it was promptly retired from U.S. duty after the following model year. The SUV did live on as the Pajero in other markets, but it was discontinued in 2021. Now, the Montero nameplate could be resurrected based on these images as well as other intel. View Photos KGP Photography | Car and Driver The images captured by our spy photographer show a boxy SUV that appears to have body-on-frame underpinning—see the solid rear axle. While the grille and front-end details are mostly obscured, the squinty lighting elements look similar to the Mitsubishi Outlander. The boxy fenders, chunky roof pillars, and mud flaps are also Montero-like design features, though a rear-mounted spare tire is notably missing from this test mule. The rear exhaust pipe also indicates that there's an internal-combustion engine under the hood. Other than these spy photos, which were taken in the southern part of Europe, what evidence points to a Montero resurrection, specifically for the U.S. market? Well, back in February 2024, Mitsubishi filed a trademark for "Montero" with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The automaker has also announced plans to introduce some new models between 2026 and 2030. KGP Photography | Car and Driver View Photos KGP Photography | Car and Driver Nissan will play a big role in Mitsubishi's aspirations, as the two brands already collaborate on models such as the Rogue/Outlander compact SUVs. The two automakers are also working on a jointly developed mid-size pickup truck, which could lead to the popular Nissan Xterra returning alongside the new Montero. With the Trump administration axing U.S EV incentives and doing who-knows-what with the ever-changing tariff situation, Nissan is considering moving production of the Japanese-built Armada and Infiniti QX80 to its underutilized assembly plant in Canton, Mississippi, according to a report by Automotive News. Not only that, but the AN report also claims that Nissan could build a pair of Frontier-sized SUVs at the factory too. Could that be a next-gen Xterra and Mitsubishi Montero? We can't say for sure, but that's what it looks like. Eric Stafford Managing Editor, News Eric Stafford's automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual '97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a '90 Honda CRX Si. Read full bio
The Irish Sun
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Struggling major car brand ‘delays launch of two new EVs' by a year in latest blow after ‘pullback of incentives'
A MAJOR car brand has announced it will postpone the launch of its two new EV crossovers by nearly a year. Struggling Nissan is delaying production at its factory in Canton, Mississippi, on the pair of vehicles - codenamed PZ1K and PZ1J - until November 2028 and March 2029 respectively, it is reported. 3 Workers are seen on the production line at Nissan's Oppama plant in Yokosuka Credit: Reuters 3 Nissan Juke cars stopped on the parking during a press launch Credit: Getty 3 Nissan Motor Corporation President and CEO Ivan Espinosa attends a press conference announcing the carmaker's results for fiscal year 2024 Credit: EPA It comes after the Japanese car brand was reported A Nissan spokesperson said: 'We've made the strategic decision to slightly adjust the production timeline for our EVs at the Canton plant. "Our goal is to ensure that this facility continues to bring highly competitive vehicles to market that exceed customer expectations.' Earlier this year the manufacturer announced the "adventure-focused SUV" - which was originally due in 2027, with promo footage showing it resembled the Xterra. READ MORE NEWS While the Infiniti was slated for 2028, and was said to be drawing inspiration from the Vision QXe concept. Nissan said at the time it would combine the "brand's latest Artistry in Motion design language with a suite of technology features". It is the latest blow for the company, which dropped plans for two electric sedans. CEO Ivan Espinosa previously announced major restructuring plans to help save the struggling carmaker. Most read in Motors The move led seven of Nissan's 17 factories worldwide to cut their workforce by around 15 per cent. The deal with Foxconn to build EVs at Oppama could save the plant from closure. New Nissan Leaf tested - it's bigger, better and goes further This could soften the blow of Nissan's restructuring for the plant's 3,900 workers and suppliers. Espinosa, who in April, is a Nissan veteran, and all eyes are currently on him to revive the company. This comes after Reuters also claims that shareholders vented their frustrations over the automaker's poor performance at the latest annual meeting, with some allegedly demanding greater management accountability for the deepening crisis at Japan's third largest company. The firm also that it is due to round up 2025 with debts of £10billion. This follows Nissan announcing they were at the beginning of the year, as it entered a make-or-break 12 months. The Sun has reached out to Nissan for comment. Do you know more? Email
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
One killed in T-bone crash with semi-truck on SR-40 near Heber City
HEBER CITY, Utah () — One person was killed after being T-boned by a semi-truck on SR-40 just north of Heber City in Wasatch County on Tuesday. Utah Highway Patrol said the crash happened around 8:15 a.m. on SR-40 near milepost 15. A Nissa Xterra was attempting to make a left-hand turn to go eastbound on SR-40 as the semi-truck was heading west in the same location. UHP said the Xterra pulled out in front of the semi truck and was T-boned on the driver's side. The driver and lone occupant of the Nissan Xterra reportedly suffered fatal injuries and died on the scene. Their identity has not been publicly released. As of noon, the Utah Department of Transportation said SR-40 is still reduced to one lane in each direction. Drivers are advised to expect delays and encouraged to use an alternate route if possible. Paralympic skier facing child abuse charges after undercover operation in Lehi Utah Food Bank is providing free meals to those 18 and under this summer One killed in T-bone crash with semi-truck on SR-40 near Heber City 'Blessed and grateful': Teen survivor of West Valley murder-suicide graduates high school Trump threatens California funding over transgender high school athlete Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Motor 1
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Nissan Would Sell a New Xterra Tomorrow If It Could
Nissan is in a bit of a pickle. The company is cutting 20,000 jobs, shuttering seven factories, and pausing development of several models. It's all part of the 'Re:Nissan' plan to stop the financial bleeding after losing a staggering $4.5 billion in just one year. While cost-cutting is currently the top priority, one executive is eager to talk product, specifically, the revival of the Xterra. Nissan Americas Chairman Christian Meunier told Automotive News there's a gap in the lineup for an Xterra-like vehicle. He argues that while rival brands chase high-end SUVs, a more affordable, utilitarian model could attract buyers looking for something simpler and easier on the wallet: 'People desire a sense of freedom. There's a return to authenticity and simplicity—not having all the gizmos and gadgets. People want a comfortable, functional, and affordable vehicle.' At the New York Auto Show last month, Nissan USA's head of product planning, Ponz Pandikuthira, told Motor1 the company is actively working on bringing back the Xterra . He also noted that Vinay Shahani, Nissan's local head of sales and marketing, is on board with reviving the moniker, which was retired a decade ago. Since 2018, Nissan has been selling the Terra, a similarly named body-on-frame SUV in other markets, though it's a much larger vehicle. The Xterra isn't the only model Meunier wants to bring to the U.S. lineup. He's also pushing for a range-extending version of the Frontier , with a gas engine serving as a generator to charge the battery. His projection? Around 100 miles of electric-only range, with another 500 miles courtesy of the range-extender. Nissan has already electrified the Frontier, just not the version sold in America. China's new Frontier Pro is heavily related to the Nissan Dongfeng Z9 and serves as the brand's first traditional plug-in hybrid and its first electrified pickup. It pairs a turbocharged 1.5-liter gas engine with an electric motor to deliver a combined 402 hp and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque. It can travel up to 84 miles before the gas engine kicks in. That said, the odds of the Frontier Pro making it stateside are slim to none. Nissan U.S. lineup teaser Photo by: Nissan Still, Nissan has a few new models headed for the U.S. It recently previewed a Leaf crossover , a next-gen Sentra, and a plug-in hybrid Rogue, which is expected to be a rebadged Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. A fully redesigned Rogue with E-Power range-extending tech, a conventional plug-in hybrid, and a standard gas model will follow. Also on the way: an electric 'adventure-focused' SUV with styling influenced by the original Xterra. What about the Altima? It's still being discontinued without a direct replacement. Meunier explains the next-gen Sentra is bigger 'than an Altima from two generations ago,' so there's no need to have both sedans anymore. According to a Nissan supplier cited by Automotive News , production of the Sentra could move from Mexico to the U.S. to dodge the Trump administration's tariffs. NIssan's Plans: The New Nissan Leaf Will Also Be a Mitsubishi Nissan Could Turn the Frontier Plug-In Hybrid Into an SUV Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Automotive News Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Motor 1
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Nissan Could Turn The Frontier Plug-In Hybrid Into an SUV
It's safe to say Nissan surprised us all last month at the Auto Shanghai 2025 show, where it unveiled the Frontier Pro. Despite its familiar name, the truck is not related to the Frontier Pro-X we get here in the United States. Instead, it's heavily linked to the Nissan Dongfeng Z9, which was developed in China for the local market. It marks two firsts for Nissan: an electrified pickup and a plug-in hybrid in the conventional sense of the term, since e-Power models are technically EVs with range-extending gas engines. While Nissan has been talking about reviving the Xterra with gas and electric drivetrains, a different kind of body-on-frame SUV could be in the offing. The Frontier Pro's development engineer hinted at the prospect of turning the truck into an SUV. Photo by: Nissan Speaking with Australian media, including Drive , Ikuo Miyai said: 'Of course, you can see the pick-up [here]. But the pick-up is very… [we can] really afford making another variation – a normal wheelbase, an SUV, or so. We should consider the market requirement, and also we need to consider what's the investment. If we have a chance, of course, we will start the development. Everything is under consideration.' The off-roader would go up against the Ford Everest , essentially an SUV version of the Ranger not sold in the U.S., where the Blue Oval likely thinks it would cannibalize Bronco and/or Explorer sales. Speaking of forbidden fruits, the upcoming Mitsubishi Pajero Sport will also be a ladder-frame SUV without a U.S. visa. The Toyota Fortuner and Isuzu MU-X also fit the bill. A Frontier Pro-based SUV would have a shot at being sold outside of China, considering the pickup is headed to export markets. However, Ford has already shot down the idea of bringing the pickup to the U.S. in a statement to our sister site InsideEVs , so we wouldn't hold our breath to see the SUV in America either. Meanwhile, the pickup goes on sale this year in China with a small 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor housed within the automatic transmission. Nissan Frontier Pro (China) 39 Source: Nissan Combined, the two produce 402 horsepower and 590 pound-feet (800 Newton-meters) of torque. Nissan claims the Frontier Pro can travel 84 miles (135 kilometers) before the gas engine kicks in. Although that's a decent range for a plug-in hybrid truck with a battery estimated at 33 kWh, the number is based on China's CLTC cycle, so equivalent WLTP or EPA figures would be significantly lower. The same goes for the quoted total driving range of 650 miles (1,046 km). After it hits China in the coming months, the Frontier Pro will be exported to some regions. Catch Up With Nissan: The V-8 Nissan Armada Is Not Dead Yet Nissan Is Rebadging Two Renault Models Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
