Nissan Australia has revealed that it is considering bringing the Frontier Pro Plug-in Hybrid to the Australian market.
Andrew Humberstone, Vice President and Managing Director of Nissan Australia, stated that the plug-in hybrid pickup co-developed with China’s Dongfeng “could definitely fit” within their product lineup. He added, “I see no problem with selling it alongside the new Navara. It comes down to whether the business model works. I think converting it to right-hand drive would take about six months, and I believe this model has market potential.”
The Frontier Pro Plug-in Hybrid was unveiled last month at the Shanghai Motor Show, as a result of the collaboration with Chinese partner Dongfeng, and is based on Dongfeng’s Z9 pickup rather than the Navara D40-derived Frontier sold in the United States.
The Frontier Pro PHEV is Nissan’s first global plug-in hybrid vehicle and also the brand’s first electrified pickup truck. It is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine combined with a transmission-mounted electric motor, delivering a total output of 402 horsepower and 800Nm of torque. The rear suspension uses a five-link setup, with four-wheel drive as standard. It comes equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels fitted with 265/65 R18 tyres, and offers an electromechanical rear differential lock. There are multiple drive modes to choose from, including Hybrid, Electric, Performance, and Snow.
Nissan claims the Frontier Pro PHEV can drive up to 135 km on electric power alone based on the CLTC cycle, and has an average fuel consumption of 14.4 km/litre. The Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) system delivers up to 6kW of power, enabling external devices to be powered via outlets in the truck bed. Braked towing capacity is rated at 3500 kg, on par with the Navara, and it has a wading depth of 700mm.
Inside, it features a 10-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The interior is significantly more luxurious than that of the Navara, with front seats offering heating, ventilation, and massage functions, as well as a panoramic sunroof that enhances cabin openness. The model showcased in Shanghai also featured a bright and colorful interior, with yellow upholstery and matching yellow trim on the dashboard and doors.
