The new Navara in PHEV version. Will this help revive the pickup segment?

After several years away from the European pickup market, Nissan is once again signaling that it intends to fight to retain this market. What is this signal? It’s the new Frontier Pro, available as the Navara Pro in some markets — the first electrified pickup in the brand’s history and also the first model developed in China, with global export in mind. So far, the Old Continent isn’t on the official list of sales markets, but there are growing indications that this hybrid pickup could play a significant role here. Let’s find out why.

The Japanese brand is launching a global rollout of the entirely new Frontier Pro model, which will be offered in Australia and New Zealand under the name Navara Pro. This is a significant debut for both the brand and the entire pickup segment, as it represents Nissan’s first pickup in history equipped with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

The new model was developed and will be manufactured by Zhengzhou Nissan in China. As the manufacturer emphasizes, this is the first Nissan designed and produced in the Middle Kingdom specifically for global export. It also highlights the growing importance of the company’s Chinese plants in developing new products.

In a press release, Nissan emphasizes that the Frontier Pro is designed to combine “innovative thinking, advanced technology, and real-world usability.” Guillaume Cartier, Director of Nissan Motor Co.’s Performance Division, said, “The Frontier Pro/Navara Pro demonstrates what happens when innovative thinking is translated into tangible capabilities. By integrating advanced technology, impressive performance, along with Nissan’s renowned quality and durability, we have created a pickup that exceeds expectations while remaining a practical vehicle for everyday use.”

Over 400 HP and 800 Nm

The plug-in hybrid version generates the most interest, as reported by the Electric Cars Report, offering up to 410 horsepower and 800 Nm of maximum torque. The manufacturer also claims it can travel up to 135 kilometers in electric mode according to the NEDC cycle, as well as having the capability to tow trailers weighing up to 3.5 tons.

In addition to its high performance, the pickup will feature Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality, allowing it to power external devices using energy stored in its traction battery. The manufacturer states that this feature can be useful both on construction sites and during outdoor activities.

The Top Gear editorial team notes that the new model could turn out to be a true “quiet supercar in the world of pickups.” The British journalists even refer to it as a “sleeper super truck,” highlighting its power output exceeding 400 horsepower along with all-wheel drive. According to them, such capabilities would enable the Frontier Pro to effectively compete even with the most powerful versions of the Ford Ranger.

A global offensive begins in Mexico

The first market outside China will be Mexico, where sales of the model begin this month. It will then reach the Philippines, Latin American countries, the Middle East, and Oceania nations. Australia and New Zealand will receive the model under the name Navara Pro in 2027.

Nissan will offer different powertrain options depending on the region. In markets such as Latin America, ASEAN, and Oceania, PHEV versions will be prioritized, while in the Middle East, the manufacturer will stick to traditional gasoline and diesel engines, according to the company.

What about Europe?

It is our part of the world that remains the biggest unknown. Nissan does not currently offer official sales of new pickups on the Old Continent. The history of the Navara’s withdrawal is well known, but let’s recall that in 2021 the manufacturer announced there would be no successor model for Europe after the closure of the factory in Barcelona. The Japanese company attributed this decision to a shrinking pickup market segment and changing customer preferences. As a result, Navara sales came to an end in 2022.

Nevertheless, there are signs that the new Frontier Pro might have a future in Europe. British Auto Express previously reported that Nissan is considering introducing an electrified pickup to select European markets, including the UK. The key argument in favor of this scenario is the plug-in hybrid powertrain, which fits current emission standards much more easily than conventional diesel engines. For now, however, European customers interested in a Nissan pickup must rely mainly on the used market.

Oskar Włostowski