Nissan has pulled the veil off the pickup it teased on its Instagram page last week. The pickup is the redesigned global 12th-generation Nissan NP300 Navara, which has been sold as the Nissan Frontier in the U.S. since 1998, and could hint at the next-generation Frontier pickup.
With the redesign, the new Nissan NP300 Navara appears to be an evolution of the current Nissan Frontier. Up front, the NP300 Navara features the automaker's "V-motion" grille design that flows through the hood, which is flanked by bold front fenders. The headlights feature "boomerang-shaped" LED daytime running lights, a styling element we've seen on some U.S.-market Nissans. The current Frontier's slab sides have been replaced by swooping body lines and a shallower greenhouse. The B-pillar is also blacked out. Nissan says the new NP300 Navara has more ground clearance, a lower roof height, and larger loading area.
Underneath the new body, the NP300 Navara features "a more rigid and durable frame" and is said to be lighter overall. Like the upcoming 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, the NP300 Navara will be available in king (extra) and double (crew) cab models, as well as rear-drive and four-wheel-drive variants. The four-wheel drive system can be engaged while the vehicle is in motion. Four-wheel-drive models also feature Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Active Brake Limited Slip (ABLS), Hill Start Assist (HAS), and Hill Descent Control (HDC). The NP300 Navara will be available in narrow- and wide-body configurations, according to Nissan.
Influenced by the automaker's SUVs, the NP300 Navara features a higher-quality, more stylish, and more ergonomic interior compared to the current Navara. Material quality, aluminum-like trim, and double stitching lend to the pickup's premium feel. The instrument cluster now features a TFT information screen that can display navigation, audio, fuel economy info, and more.
