Yet another plug-in hybrid ute is set to infiltrate the Australian market with Nissan expected to confirm the Frontier Pro for local sale within months.
Nissan Australia says it will “look everywhere” across the world as it looks to expand its local fleet and meet increasingly tougher CO2 emissions regulations gradually changng dealer showrooms across the country.
That includes plucking vehicles such as the plug-in hybrid Frontier Pro ute and sleek N7 sedan developed with Nissan’s joint venture partner Dongfeng in China.
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The Chinese-made Frontier Pro is shaping up as an important pillar of Nissan’s proposed split ute strategy in Australia to take advantage of brewing interest in electrified models and more lifestyle-focussed utes that trade some off-road ability for everyday comfort and practicality.
While Nissan has no plans to walk away from its long running Navara workhorse – an all-new Navara is expected to be unveiled within months – the company believes a new breed of buyers is ready to embrace utes with more of an on-road focus.
Nissan Oceania managing director Andrew Humberstone believes the Frontier Pro could play an important role Down Under.
“We’re looking at it very carefully, we’ve made our position very clear (with head office),” he said.
“You’re seeing … a split in that ute segment,” Humberstone explained.
“You’ve got the hardcore ute driver, which wants the traditional … off-road capability vehicle … I want to be able to tow my boat or caravan or whatever and I want to go camping.
“And you’ve got the other who maybe wanting to take their dogs to the beach and less utilitarian.
“They have different requirements. So are we able to cater for both and I think there’s an opportunity.”
The Frontier Pro is powered by a plug-in hybrid system that teams a 1.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid engine with a single electric motor and a battery pack tucked under the load area between the rear wheels.
Nissan hasn’t released individual outputs for the petrol and electric sides of the drivetrain but says the PHEV system combines to make up to 300kW and 800Nm.
The combination drives through an all-wheel drive system that “automatically controls torque distribution between the front and rear wheels”.
Average fuel use is claimed at 6.9 litres per 100km and overall range is claimed at 1046km.
Independent suspension all around with coil springs is said to provide superior on-road manners, although Nissan has still ensured the Frontier Pro has some sort of off-road ability.
There’s also an electromechanically locking rear differential and four drive modes: Hybrid, Pure electric, Performance and Snow.
And the Frontier Pro will tow up to 3500kg and wade through up to 700mm of water.
The Frontier Pro would go up against a growing line-up of plug-in hybrid utes that includes the BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha and Ford Ranger PHEV.
Nissan Australia is expected to make a decision on the Frontier Pro soon, with all indications suggesting it will be arriving here sometime in 2026 to sit alongside the all-new Navara.
