Latest news with #NissanFrontierPro
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Nissan Shows Off Their Retro-Styled Frontier Pro Plug-In Hybrid Pickup in Shanghai
Nissan has just shown off their all-new, plug-in hybrid-powered Frontier Pro at Auto Shanghai 2025, donning retro throwback styling that's reminiscent of the Nissan D21 "Hardbody" pickup truck from the 1980s and '90s. Nissan hasn't confirmed if this truck, or any similarly equipped and styled variant, will be built or sold within North America, but the automaker has confirmed that it plans on exporting it internationally after it goes on sale in China later this year. This fresh new pickup truck is huge news for Nissan, regardless, and offers a glimpse at how Nissan plans on turning around their brand worldwide. Powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a high-output electric motor mounted upon its transmission, the all-new Nissan Frontier Pro is the brand's first-ever plug-in hybrid vehicle. According to Nissan, this powertrain will produce a combined output of about 400 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque–massive figures for a midsize pickup truck with an engine that features a smaller displacement than a standard bottle of Coca-Cola. Equipped with this plug-in hybrid beating heart, the all-new Nissan Frontier Pro could directly compete with the upcoming, Volkswagen-owned Scout Terra plug-in hybrid pickup and perhaps the Ram 1500 Ramcharger, despite its significant difference in size. Despite the Frontier Pro's efficient plug-in hybrid powertrain, which is said to be able to deliver up to about 84 miles of fully-electric range on a full battery charge, off-road capability is still a major focus for the midsize pickup. Mechanical features such as a 5-link rear suspension, Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, and an available electromechanical rear differential lock will ensure that the all-new Frontier doesn't compromise its hardcore off-road pedigree in return for a more comfortable city driving experience. Perhaps the most notable insight that comes from Nissan's all-new Frontier Pro pickup, even if it only debuted for the Chinese market so far, is that it's solid proof of the automaker putting in some serious effort to turn its brand around and modernize its aging product lineup. Offering a plug-in hybrid powertrain is a major step in the right direction for Nissan, and if a product similar to what we've seen here with the Frontier Pro ever makes it to the North American market, we're sure it'll be a big hit with buyers. Although nothing has been officially confirmed yet about which other markets will receive the Frontier Pro, Nissan plans a future announcement that should provide answers to this question. The transparency of Nissan's effort to modernize its products extends into the Frontier Pro's interior, as well. With clean, fresh design and a blend of large, crisp display screens with actual physical buttons, the Frontier Pro's interior reflects a connected understanding of what modern buyers really want in their vehicle cabins. The Frontier Pro's cockpit retains the rugged simplicity of its predecessors while infusing the space with much-needed modernism and up-to-date controls and displays. For now, we North American buyers will just have to wait and see if Nissan will ever offer us its superbly modern and striking-looking plug-in hybrid Frontier Pro midsize pickup truck. Its existence can at least be seen as a sign of better things to come from Nissan in the future as the brand attempts a last-ditch effort to save itself from impending bankruptcy.
7NEWS
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
The CarExpert team's favourite reveals from the Shanghai motor show
Auto Shanghai 2025, also known as the Shanghai International Automobile Exhibition, kicked off earlier this week and we've already been treated to a raft of exciting new model reveals! From rough-and-tough off-road SUVs to plug-in hybrid (PHEV) utes and electric sports cars, the 21st running of the biennial Chinese motor show since 1985 has had it all and there's still plenty to come. Fans of the Toyota Prado will be keeping an eye on the Geely Galaxy Cruiser, an electrified 4×4 that could be among the six 'new energy' models Geely has promised for Australia in the next three years. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Then there's the Nissan Frontier Pro, an all-new PHEV ute to take on the likes of the BYD Shark 6 and Ford Ranger PHEV. Zeekr continues to wow crowds, this time with the 9X large SUV. It looks like a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, but the bones are undeniably Zeekr – a plug-in hybrid powertrain, air suspension, more than 380km of electric range, and a 0-100km/h time of three seconds. We could go on, but you get the picture. There's a lot going on in Shanghai this week, and here are our favourite reveals so far. Let us know your pick in the comments below! Marton Pettendy: Nissan Frontier Pro Nissan's new Mitsubishi Triton-based Navara is still at least a year away from Australian showrooms, but this all-new plug-in hybrid dual-cab revealed in China this week could complement it nicely. With a plug-in hybrid powertrain that slams out 300kW of power and 800Nm of torque, and offers 135km of electric-only driving range, it could become Nissan's Australia's answer to the popular BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV, and the upcoming Ford Ranger PHEV. Armed with an all-new look and advanced powertrain tech, it could not only provide Nissan with a two-pronged attack in the booming local ute market, but become an invaluable asset to help it meet the federal government's ambitious new emissions targets – whether or not the next Navara brings hybrid as well as diesel power. James Wong: Lexus ES Get lost haters – I reckon the new-generation Lexus ES is a vibe, and a welcome departure from the frumpy design of the current mid-size luxury sedan. The side profile and the rear-end in particular are to die for. The silvery colour of the original launch images didn't do the new ES justice; check out the ES500e in bronze, which is much nicer and with sportier wheels it looks quite mean. I think the 2026 Lexus ES is a big signal from the Toyota and Lexus brands too, given the TNGA-K architecture has basically been re-engineered to accommodate both hybrid and electric powertrains. Also props to Lexus Australia for putting its hand up for both of them from launch. Though the all-wheel drive versions are yet to be confirmed for local release, there should be an ES for everyone – provided you want a hybrid or EV luxury sedan. Interested in buying a Lexus ES? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers here MORE: Everything Lexus ES William Stopford: Zeekr 9X In China, the domestic brands have significantly upped their game over the past several years, to the point where buyers there are abandoning American, European, Japanese and Korean brands in significant numbers. It was great, then, to see the likes of Lexus, Mazda and Nissan fight to remain relevant in China, with each revealing impressive new vehicles – some of these not possible without the extensive assistance of Chinese joint-venture partners. My colleagues have all praised these new Japanese-brand vehicles already, so given I'm among the last to supply my answer I'm going to go with something from a Chinese brand. We haven't seen the interior yet, but the Zeekr 9X is glitzy, gaudy, gauche and yet surprisingly charming. Beneath the slab-sided bodywork is an intriguing powertrain, the first hybrid from what has always been an EV brand. It features a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 205kW of power, mated with a 290kW front electric motor and a 370kW rear electric motor, with a claimed electric range of more than 380km and a 0-100km/h time of three seconds. It rides on air suspension, too, and features five LiDAR units. The Chinese brands have not only matured, they've flourished. It's remarkable how not too long ago, Chinese brands were selling blandly styled, cheaply constructed vehicles with old tech either licensed or reverse-engineered from foreign brands. Now, the likes of Audi and Mazda are leaning heavily on Chinese carmakers to develop and produce new models, and the foreign brands that were once able to take the Chinese market for granted are struggling to keep their heads above water. This sea change is exemplified by vehicles like, among others, the Zeekr 9X. Josh Nevett: GWM V8 Engine downsizing is rife across the industry as manufacturers race to meet tightening emissions standards, threatening the very existence of the mighty eight-cylinder. So it came as a surprise when GWM ripped the covers off a new V8 in Shanghai this week, and it seems like an epic feat of engineering. Supported by twin turbochargers and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology, the box-fresh V8 powertrain will offer multiple selectable personalities, from silent electric city driving to exhilarating highway performance. And after more than three years of development, the new V8 is now under consideration for a variety of models to be sold in China and export markets including Australia. Among those touted for production is a V8 version of the Tank 300, a possibility that has me uncharacteristically excited for a new SUV. The Tank 300 has made its name as a cut-price alternative to our favourite off-roaders, and I think it has a lot more charm than many of the SUVs hitting our market at present. Add a powerful and efficient V8 to the mix and GWM would be onto a winner. Let's just hope the decision-makers in China agree. Interested in buying a GWM Tank 300? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers here MORE: Everything GWM Tank 300 Max Davies: Lexus ES I reviewed the Lexus UX300e around six months back, and though it has flaws I thoroughly enjoyed the small electric SUV. It was my first prolonged experience in any Lexus vehicle, and something about its fit, finish and the way it drove absolutely sold me on the idea of Japanese luxury motoring. There are three main issues though, starting with the ridiculous price tag. The second is the fact it's a fairly unassuming SUV that wasn't built to be electric, and the last is that it has far too much power to put through only the front wheels. It got me thinking though – a fully electric, rear-wheel drive, ES-size Lexus sedan would surely be glorious. Why don't they just build one? Well, it seems they now have. The new ES looks like it ticks all those boxes except being rear-drive, which I'm willing to forgive because Lexus will also make the car available with all-wheel drive for the first time ever, hopefully in Australia too. Specifically, the ES500e is the one I'm most excited for. It will offer loads of power and – hopefully – a decent real-world driving range. And although it's also likely to cost a bomb, it has the design to match – both inside and out.
Perth Now
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
The CarExpert team's favourite reveals from the Shanghai motor show
Auto Shanghai 2025, also known as the Shanghai International Automobile Exhibition, kicked off earlier this week and we've already been treated to a raft of exciting new model reveals! From rough-and-tough off-road SUVs to plug-in hybrid (PHEV) utes and electric sports cars, the 21st running of the biennial Chinese motor show since 1985 has had it all and there's still plenty to come. Fans of the Toyota Prado will be keeping an eye on the Geely Galaxy Cruiser, an electrified 4×4 that could be among the six 'new energy' models Geely has promised for Australia in the next three years. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. GWM Tank 300 Hooke Credit: CarExpert Galaxy Cruiser Credit: CarExpert Denza Z Credit: CarExpert Nissan Frontier Pro Credit: CarExpert Then there's the Nissan Frontier Pro, an all-new PHEV ute to take on the likes of the BYD Shark 6 and Ford Ranger PHEV. Zeekr continues to wow crowds, this time with the 9X large SUV. It looks like a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, but the bones are undeniably Zeekr – a plug-in hybrid powertrain, air suspension, more than 380km of electric range, and a 0-100km/h time of three seconds. We could go on, but you get the picture. There's a lot going on in Shanghai this week, and here are our favourite reveals so far. Let us know your pick in the comments below! Nissan's new Mitsubishi Triton-based Navara is still at least a year away from Australian showrooms, but this all-new plug-in hybrid dual-cab revealed in China this week could complement it nicely. Supplied Credit: CarExpert With a plug-in hybrid powertrain that slams out 300kW of power and 800Nm of torque, and offers 135km of electric-only driving range, it could become Nissan's Australia's answer to the popular BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV, and the upcoming Ford Ranger PHEV. Armed with an all-new look and advanced powertrain tech, it could not only provide Nissan with a two-pronged attack in the booming local ute market, but become an invaluable asset to help it meet the federal government's ambitious new emissions targets – whether or not the next Navara brings hybrid as well as diesel power. Get lost haters – I reckon the new-generation Lexus ES is a vibe, and a welcome departure from the frumpy design of the current mid-size luxury sedan. The side profile and the rear-end in particular are to die for. Supplied Credit: CarExpert The silvery colour of the original launch images didn't do the new ES justice; check out the ES500e in bronze, which is much nicer and with sportier wheels it looks quite mean. I think the 2026 Lexus ES is a big signal from the Toyota and Lexus brands too, given the TNGA-K architecture has basically been re-engineered to accommodate both hybrid and electric powertrains. Also props to Lexus Australia for putting its hand up for both of them from launch. Though the all-wheel drive versions are yet to be confirmed for local release, there should be an ES for everyone – provided you want a hybrid or EV luxury sedan. Interested in buying a Lexus ES? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers here MORE: Everything Lexus ES In China, the domestic brands have significantly upped their game over the past several years, to the point where buyers there are abandoning American, European, Japanese and Korean brands in significant numbers. Supplied Credit: CarExpert It was great, then, to see the likes of Lexus, Mazda and Nissan fight to remain relevant in China, with each revealing impressive new vehicles – some of these not possible without the extensive assistance of Chinese joint-venture partners. My colleagues have all praised these new Japanese-brand vehicles already, so given I'm among the last to supply my answer I'm going to go with something from a Chinese brand. We haven't seen the interior yet, but the Zeekr 9X is glitzy, gaudy, gauche and yet surprisingly charming. Beneath the slab-sided bodywork is an intriguing powertrain, the first hybrid from what has always been an EV brand. It features a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 205kW of power, mated with a 290kW front electric motor and a 370kW rear electric motor, with a claimed electric range of more than 380km and a 0-100km/h time of three seconds. Supplied Credit: CarExpert It rides on air suspension, too, and features five LiDAR units. The Chinese brands have not only matured, they've flourished. It's remarkable how not too long ago, Chinese brands were selling blandly styled, cheaply constructed vehicles with old tech either licensed or reverse-engineered from foreign brands. Now, the likes of Audi and Mazda are leaning heavily on Chinese carmakers to develop and produce new models, and the foreign brands that were once able to take the Chinese market for granted are struggling to keep their heads above water. This sea change is exemplified by vehicles like, among others, the Zeekr 9X. Engine downsizing is rife across the industry as manufacturers race to meet tightening emissions standards, threatening the very existence of the mighty eight-cylinder. Supplied Credit: CarExpert So it came as a surprise when GWM ripped the covers off a new V8 in Shanghai this week, and it seems like an epic feat of engineering. Supported by twin turbochargers and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology, the box-fresh V8 powertrain will offer multiple selectable personalities, from silent electric city driving to exhilarating highway performance. And after more than three years of development, the new V8 is now under consideration for a variety of models to be sold in China and export markets including Australia. Among those touted for production is a V8 version of the Tank 300, a possibility that has me uncharacteristically excited for a new SUV. Supplied Credit: CarExpert The Tank 300 has made its name as a cut-price alternative to our favourite off-roaders, and I think it has a lot more charm than many of the SUVs hitting our market at present. Add a powerful and efficient V8 to the mix and GWM would be onto a winner. Let's just hope the decision-makers in China agree. Interested in buying a GWM Tank 300? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers here MORE: Everything GWM Tank 300 I reviewed the Lexus UX300e around six months back, and though it has flaws I thoroughly enjoyed the small electric SUV. Supplied Credit: CarExpert It was my first prolonged experience in any Lexus vehicle, and something about its fit, finish and the way it drove absolutely sold me on the idea of Japanese luxury motoring. There are three main issues though, starting with the ridiculous price tag. The second is the fact it's a fairly unassuming SUV that wasn't built to be electric, and the last is that it has far too much power to put through only the front wheels. It got me thinking though – a fully electric, rear-wheel drive, ES-size Lexus sedan would surely be glorious. Why don't they just build one? Well, it seems they now have. The new ES looks like it ticks all those boxes except being rear-drive, which I'm willing to forgive because Lexus will also make the car available with all-wheel drive for the first time ever, hopefully in Australia too. Specifically, the ES500e is the one I'm most excited for. It will offer loads of power and – hopefully – a decent real-world driving range. And although it's also likely to cost a bomb, it has the design to match – both inside and out. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Interested in buying a Lexus ES? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers here MORE: Everything Lexus ES
