2005 Frontier Predictions

NNA · Aug 28th, 2003, 06:29 PM

Ok, since I work for Nissan, I usually pick up on some of the rumors and scoop going on around the plant.

But, from what I have heard, and the scans I have seen, the Frontier isn't going to be a compact truck for the future. At the plant the Frontier & Xterra are going through some major body changes.

And, as of 2005, Nissan is leaving the small compact market, and heading into a medium sized market. The only truck that is actually in the medium sized range is the Dodge Dakota, as of right now. And I believe that this is a good thing, that they are doing.

I don't have any scans, as of right now. But, I believe it's going to be a great looking truck and many will love it.

I'll try my best to keep all of you posted.

Centurion · Aug 28th, 2003, 06:48 PM

So that will leave only the Toyota as a true mini truck. The S-10 has grown to the Colorado, and the Ranger is going upsize in '06.
I bet the Korean manufactures will step in with a mini truck to fill in the vacuum.

95G ATL · Aug 28th, 2003, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Centurion
So that will leave only the Toyota as a true mini truck. The S-10 has grown to the Colorado, and the Ranger is going upsize in '06.
I bet the Korean manufactures will step in with a mini truck to fill in the vacuum.

bigger means crappy fuel mileage. Here in San Diego where gasoline is $2.10-$2.20 a gallon for 87 octane unleaded, i'd rather have something small and 25 mpg...not mid size and 20mpg.

just my 2 cents.

ps. toyota tacoma is suppose to get a little bigger for 2005 as well.

FrontierToad · Aug 29th, 2003, 04:17 AM

Personally, I believe a 'slight' increase in size, say 2-3" wider and a little longer cab would be good but that is NOT anywhere near the size of a 'mid' size. I think the elimination, if that occurs, of a true 'mini' truck will be a huge mistake!!

I believe the gas prices of the future as well as my hope for someday the use of hydrogen/fuel cell hybrid engine (or pure electric) in a mini truck will NOT be possible in a truck as large as the Dakota!!

I personally hope for a future without the burden of 'Arab Oil' and all the pure shit that that implies (9/11)!!

So, Nissan, if you are listening, do not abandon the mini-truck market, I believe butt will be bitten if you do !!!

himilefrontier · Aug 29th, 2003, 04:55 AM

I like the current size of small trucks.It's disappointing that they are upsizing the Frontier for the next generation.If I had really wanted a larger truck, I would have bought one.The increase in size will also lead to an increase in price and decrease in fuel economy-something that I would be unwilling to accept since it will price people like me right out of the market.

B R · Aug 29th, 2003, 10:48 AM

I call BS. They have the new Titan coming out, & I can't see them abandoning a staple like the small trucks at this point for many reasons. I would predict only minor changes. But then again, they did stop selling the Z for a few years, so I guess anything is possible

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Dan-zig · Aug 30th, 2003, 06:25 PM

ahh, so Nissan is selling out! grr....
bring back the small-midsize pathfinder! (but improve the gas mileage...)
so is any design done in America? Or is it all in Nippon...

himilefrontier · Aug 30th, 2003, 09:06 PM

A lot of their designing is done at a studio in California.At least that's waht I have heard.

nitroracer · Aug 30th, 2003, 11:31 PM

I have heard that the next frontier and xterra will be based off a smaller titan chassis so mid-size truck sounds about right. And the dakota is supposedly downsizing in a few years, while gm is going to mid size, and ford refuses to touch any more the ranger's front facia and tail lights.

I have seen a concept sketch of a nissan dunehawk, supposedly a euro only model but the size and look might fit well on a mid-size truck.

Nissan Dune Hawk - Car Design News

Dan-zig · Aug 31st, 2003, 12:17 AM

That is ugly as sin
whatever happened to the good ol' plain jane models
these new SUVS, man WTF....

NNA · Aug 31st, 2003, 08:20 AM

Reminds me alot of the Murano.

As for making a mid-sized truck, it's all in the design stages, as of right now. It's nothing to go bezerk about, though.

Nissan and many other automotive companies have always produced their trucks a little larger, over the years. Think back and remember when Nissan made the Datsun 620?

The Frontier is much larger than that, especially on the inside. So, I don't see any huge drastic changes, besides the new styling. I am unaware if they are changing the name of the truck, or not.

I do know, that when we start producing the Pathfinder here in a couple of months, that Nissan is going back to the old styling that they had with the Hardbody/Pathfinder "look". Any renderings I see or find, I will do my best to keep ya'll updated.

jadcock · Aug 31st, 2003, 12:56 PM

ALL new car designs seem extreme to some people. The comment was made, "whatever happened to the good ol' plain jane models; these new SUVS, man WTF...." That's probably what people were asking when Nissan came out with the compact truck (I think Nissan was the first). They probably thought, "whatever happened to good 'ol full size pickup trucks?" Then Nissan put a king cab on a compact truck and they probably thought, "why can't they just stick to the basics?"

Now here we are, questioning an artist's conception of a vehicle that doesn't even exist. Let's wait until the future is actually here before we criticize a design. Afterall, putting a king cab on a compact truck was a pretty revolutionary idea back in the 1970s, but look where it brought us!

NNA · Aug 31st, 2003, 02:14 PM

Exactly jadcock. Very well spoken, I must say.

Nissan was the first to produce the compact pickup truck; so they know what their doing. Conceptions, visions & renderings are the only thing that stands in the way of production, right now. Some people will like the design, and of course some will turn away from it. IMO, the 720 & Hardbody was Nissan's best compact truck. But, see that's just my opinion. Many may believe that the 620 or Frontier was the best Nissan truck.

The truck isn't due out, til 2005, anyhow. And just last week on my line, we changed everything over from the 2003 Altima, to the 2004 Altima. So, within the next 6 months you should see the changes made on the new Nissan truck that we will be producing here in Smyrna.