• Next-Gen Frontier: If You Didn’t Like Nissan DNA in Your Mercedes, Maybe You’ll Like Mercedes DNA in Your Nissan

The next-generation Nissan Frontier won’t be a full redesign

In 2017 Mecedes-Benz decided to enter the pickup truck market with the X-Class. However, the X-Class wasn’t a true Mercedes under the shell, but a modified third-generation Nissan Frontier, also known as the Navara in other markets. Mercedes’ concept was to offer a more premium truck in terms of looks and equipment, but it seems that it didn’t go really well. After only two years on the market, the X-Class was discontinued. But a new report claims that the German truck will actually live on as Nissan wants to use the modifications that Mercedes made to the platform on the next-generation Frontier.

The next-gen Nissan Frontier will carry over Mercedes X-Class updates

Next-Gen Frontier: If You Didn't Like Nissan DNA in Your Mercedes, Maybe You'll Like Mercedes DNA in Your Nissan
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A report from Autoblog Argentina claims that Nissan will adopt some of the modifications that Mercedes-Benz made to the outgoing Frontier platform for the X-Class.

These include structural reinforcements for improved chassis strength and driving dynamics that made the X-Class a bit sportier and more comfortable than the Frontier. Yes, this also means that the new-generation Frontier won’t be a redesigned truck, but a more extensive upgrade.

Nissan's Hoping That a New Engine Will Hold the Frontier Over Until the Next-Gen Model Arrives in 2021 Exterior
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Nissan is now in the middle of a big restructuring plan that includes 12 new models over the next 18 months, so the Japanese firm wants to lower costs and raise profits in order to fund the new vehicles.

Nissan's Hoping That a New Engine Will Hold the Frontier Over Until the Next-Gen Model Arrives in 2021 Exterior
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The Frontier is also part of the new lineup, but it’s one of those vehicles that needs to remain relatively cheap to produce.

As a result, Nissan will use some parts of the current truck, including Mercedes' upgraded chassis, in the next-generation version.
Nissan's Hoping That a New Engine Will Hold the Frontier Over Until the Next-Gen Model Arrives in 2021 Exterior
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The 3.8-liter V-6 and the nine-speed gearbox will definitely remain in place. The latest teaser suggests that the front fascia will look notably more modern and different than the outgoing truck.

2020 Nissan Frontier specifications
Engine 3.8-liter V6 engine
Horsepower 310 HP
Torque 281 LB-FT
Transmission 9-speed automatic transmission

The current Frontier was introduced in 2014, so it’s already six years old as of 2020. This means that the new truck should break cover by the end of 2021. Although Mercedes-Benz won’t offer a new X-Class, the redesigned Frontier will spawn a new version of the Renault Alaskan.

Source: Autoblog.com.ar

Ciprian Florea
Ciprian Florea
Senior Editor and Supercar Expert - [email protected]
Ciprian's passion for everything with four wheels (and more) started back when he was just a little boy, and the Lamborghini Countach was still the coolest car poster you could hang on your wall. Ciprian's career as a journalist began long before earning a Bachelor's degree, but it was only after graduating that his love for cars became a profession.  Read full bio
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