Upgraded Nissian Frontier

I understand that. My point is the electric motor portions (as opposed to the ICE) are very simple and tend to be reliable.

 

Your facts and logic are apparently unwelcome. Toyota’s hybrids have been bulletproof over the years. Their hybrid program receives way more funding than their truck and SUV program, and that’s why their hybrids are renowned. Some people are afraid that a hybrid system may make their weenies shrink.

 

Those same people are driving a little v6 truck instead of a v8. They are scared it's gonna go from small to micro.

 

They say the engine has "93% new parts" which makes me think it's an updated VQ40DE. Sounds like it's now up to date with their current engines though. Redline on the 2020 tach appears to be ~6750rpm where the 4.0L was 6250rpm. If it's as responsive as the old set up it'll go pretty good with that 9spd behind it.

 

Most of those who want a V8 in the Taco would only utilize that extra power and torque to get to the mall quicker or haul around their big egos

 

Yes, though with long lives of truck platforms, the powertrain can change once or twice in each generation. The 9-speed transmission is from the Titan. Manual trans is discontinued.

More photos here:
https://www.autoblog.com/2020/02/05/2020-nissan-frontier-new-engine/
https://www.carscoops.com/2020/02/2...s-looks-gets-next-years-3-8l-v6-and-9sp-auto/

Electric (vs. vacuum) brake booster so it can have A-Trac like functionality:

 

The 9 speed Titan transmission is as smooth as it gets.

The question is how much does it share with the 3.8L VR38? Anyone up for a TT version as a 2nd or 3rd year option?

I seriously think they are looking to take a bite out of some Ranger ass with the next gen. I doubt it would disturb any Tacoma sales.

Oh now I know what's going to happen. I predict there will be a TT version of the 3.8L for the Titan. The transmission will be in the Frontier, Titan, Armada, QX80, and a variation in Q70 and Q70L. They do like to share components across as many different platforms as possible.

 

It is probably still a derivative of the VQ family rather than the VR family. The VQ engine actually exists in 3.8L form in a special edition Fairlady Z in Japan. Remember to temper corporate PR-speak, too. The Frontier engine may be "93% new parts" in the same way the 3rd gen Tacoma was "all new except the seatbelt buckle".

 

Good call. So much of their new truck technology is "hand me downs" from the senior and performance car line.

Which makes me think of the VH45DE and its later and somewhat stronger sibling the VH41DE.

Here's a picture of the special edition VQ38 in a hybrid config. They may have already shown their future hand under a different venue.



Speaking of "hand me down" Nissan platforms, I don't think many people knew the 1st gen Q45/President platform shared many Z32 front end and S-chassis rear suspension components. Insiders knew it as the larger 4-door V8 powered Z-car. The real 4-door sports car. Nissan trucks got the transmission.

 

Yep.
Been fixed since 2010.

 

True, it seems the more gears the more people complain about “gear hunting” and too much shifting. Then again it just might have like 4 overdrive gears and effectively drive like a 6 speed. I’d be fine with just 6.

 

Will it not be so cramped inside? I can’t fit in a current one.

 

Uh.. it's clearly right there in the photo??

Here's some spy shots of the 2021:
https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1128794_2021-nissan-frontier-spy-shots

 

Yes you're right. Had to zoom into the full size image to see it: http://assets.trucktrend.com/uploads/sites/2/2020/07/006-nissan-frontier-first-drive.jpg

Wonder what Truck Trend is doing?

Interesting to see inboard shocks on flimsy brackets and a rear sway bar:

 

Front airdam with nasty-looking license plate holder, but two recovery hooks for this pavement-oriented model with Michelin Primacy LTX tires. Also the radar garnish is in the lower radiator grille in the bumper.

 

Atrocious:



It looks like Nissan is keeping the 2nd gen Frontier's lug pattern.

 

Interior design might be considered 5 years out of the date upon release:

 

2021 Navara / global Frontier will have quad-projector headlights:

 

And here I was thinking that the front on the 3rd gen Tacoma was a bit too oversized...

 

Yes, one of the reasons I sawzalled one-third off mine.

But neither the 3rd gen Taco nor the new Navara have the largest grille in the midsize truck segment, as you know: