With the release of specs for the Nissan Frontier Pro hybrid EV there is no reason why a farmer shouldn’t own one
Next time a Greenie relative visits the farm, you can take them out to the shed and show them how you have stepped ahead of them in the ozone race by purchasing the first Nissan electrified Ute, the Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid.
And to back things up further, this Ute is no slouch. It can deliver 800Nm of torque, and it is expected to offer a hybrid (EV and fuel) minimum travel range of 510km for variants equipped with the 58kWh battery, and up to 635km for variants with the 73kWh battery.
While the EV-only range is up to 135km, plenty for a day’s work around the farm without having to spend on fuel.
And this spec is where Nissan designers have taken the EV Ute lead with the BYD Shark 6 only offering 100km, while the Ford Ranger PHEV delivers only 48km.
Pricing is about to be released and will be in the range of the BYD Shark 6 at $57,900 plus on-road, and at a price of $71,990 for the Ford Ranger PHEV XLT plus on-road.
Think about placing an order now, as this will be the hottest Ute released this year, and stock available for delivery before the end of the year will be tight.
Nissan executives are sick of trailing the field on market share and see the EV Ute as a game-changer that will be available when other makers are flat-footed on an EV offering.
Farmers are expected to get on board with EVs even before city slickers, as a simple charge overnight from solar power will be adequate for a day’s run and will save heaps on fuel and running costs.
And while Nissan hasn’t set the world on fire with its diesel Ute offering up until now, the company is committed to being a pioneer in the EVsegment and, in turn, will revitalise its line-up with technology-packed models.
Nissan Frontier Pro design
When the first farmers get their delivery later this year, the Frontier Pro will represent Nissan’s entrant to lead the market with a plug-in hybrid electrified Ute.
It incorporates Nissan’s decades-long Ute legacy with the most current powertrain technology from the world’s leading NEV market, China.
This five-seater Ute has been designed for dual purpose, work the farm and also step up if the family wants to take a trip.
The Frontier Pro has been designed with a rugged action exterior design that is also complemented with a spacious and high-level interior finish.
Within the front mask, the Nissan brand logo is illuminated in vibrant white, cheekily signifying the Frontier Pro’s next era of electrified capability.
Parallel to the hood line, five LED light elements are spaced apart to accentuate the width of the Ute.
While designers have positioned the three central lights to pay subtle homage to this next era of Nissan’s most iconic Utes of all-time.
The Frontier Pro design didn’t come about by accident, it is said that Nissan’s design team were inspired by the distinctive three-slot opening in the hood of the 1980s Nissan D21 Ute.
In creating the Frontier Pro’s lighting signature, they leveraged LEDs to reimagine this design element for the EV era.
At the first release, all variants of the Frontier Pro will run on standard 457mm (18-in) alloy wheels with 265/65R18 tyres.
Nissan Frontier Pro powertrain
At the heart of the Frontier Pro is a powerful plug-in hybrid powertrain that can be described as a more familiar 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder internal combustion engine.
But then it gets more interesting by adding a transmission-mounted, high-output electric motor to the system.
The two combined can deliver over 300kW of power and up to 800Nm of torque, creating a unique balance of available power and a dramatic cut to fuel and running costs.
For most world markets, it is expected that the Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid will deliver up to 135km of an efficient EV-only range.
Making sure the driveline can get the power where required, Nissan engineers have opted for a 5-link rear suspension and added an intelligent all-wheel drive to automatically control torque distribution between the front and rear wheels.
While off-road capability is supported by an electromechanical rear differential lock to control four drive modes
Taken as a purist point of view, these modes will function as hybrid, pure electric, performance and mud to allow the driver to tailor their experience as preferred against the conditions they encounter.
Nissan Frontier Pro cabin
From all accounts, the cabin is spacious enough for the slightly overweight and muscled and considered well-appointed for a working Ute interior.
There are touches that designers have added to appeal to those who have always sought more than any of the current Ute interior offerings.
Expect to be willed with a standard-size panoramic roof, a 254mm (10-in) LCD instrument panel, and 370mm (14.6-in) infotainment screen. Also by option is front seat heating, ventilation and a seat-back massage.
Anyone looking for a Ute with extra places to attach gear will welcome the roof rails and play more than they should with the electronic retractable cover over the cargo area.
For farmers working remotely, they can conveniently charge any device using a Vehicle-to-load (V2L) port, that works to leverage the plug-in hybrid battery to supply up to 6kW of power.
The Nissan Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid will come off the production line before the end of 2025 and be with first response orders before the end of the year.
The first markets to receive models exported out of China will depend on whether a tariff agreement has been reached in some destinations. Stay tuned for the full pricing and full model specifications when they are revealed next month.
