Frontier Pro PHEV: Is This Nissan’s Future Of Global Pickups?
Nissan at Auto Shanghai in April launched the Dongfeng-Nissan N7 and presented the Frontier Pro Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), which will be delivered by about the last quarter of this year. (Scroll all the way to the end for some exclusive insights on how well the truck is doing with customers.)
Though, this is not a real surprise to the automotive world, because a sibling (with no EV powertrain yet) already exists in the Zhengzhou Nissan Automobile Co., Ltd. (ZNA) garage. The pickup was designed and built specifically for the Chinese market.
There are three other vehicles Nissan will introduce in China by 2026, plus another 5 by 2027. They are part of a larger, “domestic first, global after” (sounds strangely similar to Mao Zedong’s “take the cities from the countryside”) strategy. Nissan placed its bets on China to strengthen its global position and the money is on the table, supported by a 10 billion yuan (~$1.37 billion) investment over the next three years. Nissan, once the leader in the EV sphere, clearly wants to regain this market position.
Not just badge engineering
The Frontier signifies more than just a new model for the struggling Japanese automaker. It is a critical strategic move in the company’s long-standing relationship with Dongfeng. The Chinese pickup truck market has experienced burgeoning sales since 2020. Not as large as the US or as expansive as Thailand, but it has seen growth of between 10% to 12% each year.
Dongfeng already has an EV pickup, called the Rich 5 EV. A lot of rethinking and re-engineering went into this pickup, so it is unfair to merely label it a Nissan Navarra electrified.
Versions sold in the Philippines can do up to 500 kilometers (310 miles) on a single charge and the truck has a one-tone payload.
The first-generation Dongfeng (DF) pickup is based on the Nissan D-platform. The two brands go that far back. This chassis designation gave the US market the D21 Hardbody pickup truck and the WD21 Pathfinder SUV.
Is it a Dongfeng or a Nissan?
So, is the Frontier Pro PHEV primarily a Dongfeng product or a Nissan design built by Dongfeng? Neither.
If the N7 is a Dongfeng–Nissan product, the Frontier Pro PHEV is a Zhengzhou–Nissan release. Neither is it a Zhengzhou Z9, which is a totally different brand and DNA. Though a collaborative effort, it is definitely all Nissan in DNA — a clear expression of the design language and technological advancements the brand is known for.
This includes distinctive exterior styling cues based on Nissan’s “Rugged Tech” design philosophy. It includes the illuminated Nissan logo and the LED headlight array as well as the hefty 18-inch alloy wheels with 265/65R18 tires. There are some elements inspired by the 1980s Nissan D21 Hardbody — the three slots on the front of the hood, the side body cladding, and the chiseled edge side mirrors.
The “Rugged Tech” engineering means a plug-in hybrid system with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an electric motor mounted on the transmission. The system produces over 300 kW of power and up to 800 Newton meters of torque. Pure battery range is up to 135 km (83 miles).
It uses a 5-link rear suspension with Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, which manages torque to the front and rear wheels using a rather old-school thought, but new tech in engineering, electromechanical rear differential lock. Since the electric motor is integrated into what Nissan calls a “dedicated hybrid transmission,” the result is a powertrain speedy on the road and capable for off-road use. There are four drive modes (for obvious reasons): ‘Hybrid,’ ‘Pure Electric,’ ‘Performance,’ and ‘Snow.’
The US will never get the Frontier PHEV in this trim. Something else is planned for North America.
According to CleanTechnica sources at ZNA, sales inquiries have piled up quicker than expected. Our source requested not to reveal the actual figure, but it was in the tens of thousands already! The email reply to CleanTechnica just requested we say the “response is overwhelming.” Our source also did not reply if sales orders are already being accepted, but we expect Nissan’s communications team will soon put out a press release on the pre-selling numbers.
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