Nissan Motor Co. and Fred Diaz surprised many at the 2014 Chicago Auto Show with the possibility of a new diesel midsize pickup truck. The Japanese automaker Thursday unveiled a Nissan Frontier midsize pickup called the Frontier Diesel Runner, which it is calling a ''technical study.''
CHICAGO, IL- Nissan Motor Co. surprised many at the 2014 Chicago Auto Show with the possibility of a new diesel midsize pickup truck.
The Japanese automaker Thursday unveiled a Nissan Frontier featuring a Cummins diesel engine called the Frontier Diesel Runner, which it is calling a “technical study.”
The pickup features a 2.8-liter 4-cylinder diesel engine that produces nearly 200 horsepower and more than 350 lb-ft. of torque, while increasing fuel economy 35 percent over a V6-powered two-wheel drive 2014 Frontier, according to officials.
“As Nissan and Cummins have been brainstorming ways to extend our partnership, the logical question came up, over and over again -- a lot of discussion -- what if?” said Fred Diaz, Nissan North America senior vice president of sales and marketing, parts and service, during the unveiling. “What if we put a Cummins diesel engine in a Frontier? And soon, what if became why the Hell not?”
Nissan and Cummins – a leader in the diesel engine market – previously announced a 5.0-liter diesel V8 in the next-generation Titan full-size pickup, which is expected to arrive in 2015.
Diaz, a former executive for Chrysler’s Ram Truck division, said the vehicle – featuring a see-through hood and special graphics – was built to gauge interest in a next-generation Frontier with a Cummins diesel engine.
“We’re going to use it to gauge the market feasibility at shows like this, as well as on social media,” he said. “And we’re going to drive the wheels off of an evaluation mule that is currently undergoing rigorous real-world testing.”
The announcement comes as numerous automakers are announcing and launching new diesel midsize and full-size pickup trucks to help meet the U.S. government's 2025 fuel economy regulations. Before the new Frontier announcement, the most relevant announcement was from General Motors Co.
2015 GMC Canyon (Courtesy GM)The Detroit-based automaker announced a new Duramax 2.8-liter turbo diesel engine for its upcoming Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon midsize pickups for the 2016 model year.
GM has not released specifications on the diesel engine.
Automakers – particularly the Detroit Three – have gone away from offering any pickups smaller than full-size models, like the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado.
Diesel vehicles have remained a niche market in the U.S. for decades due to consumer perception, pricing and the fuel being more expensive than standard gasoline, according to analysts.
But now, “clean diesels” (as they’re referred to) are 30 percent more fuel-efficient, produce lower CO2 emissions, offer substantially more low-end torque and are estimated to maintain a higher residual value compared to traditional gasoline engines.