Nissan Ute concept hints at Navara update

Nissan Frontier concept at the Chicago Auto Show.

Known as the Navara in Australia, Nissan unveiled a concept version of the Frontier at the auto show with a new 2.8-liter Cummins turbodiesel engine and eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. Cummins is being used to gauge response to a diesel plant in the US, where the big ute is only sold with a 4.0-litre V6 petrol engine.

However, we're more interested in the emergence of the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission that is currently the preserve of premium cars, with the prestigious Volkswagen Amarok being the only one using it in Australia.

Adding a transmission to the Navara would give it an edge over competitors in an area where Nissan is second only to Toyota Hilux in the 4×4 category, but is inferior not only to Hilux, but also Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Triton, Mazda BT-50 и Holden Colorado in the 4×2 category.

There would also be some advantage to the Frontier concept's versatile disc brakes, which could give it an edge even over the Amarok, which, like the Colorado, Ranger, BT-50 and other competitors, is stuck with rear drum brakes, albeit without a threat. their 5 star safety rating.

It's unlikely, however, that the Cummins concept four-cylinder engine will ever show up in our Navara. While the new 149kW and 475Nm diesel has a slight power output advantage over Renault's 2.5kW and 140Nm 450L engine in our current Navaras, it can't match our flagship ST 550 which delivers 170Nm and 550Nm from a 3-litre V6 with a seven-speed automatic – albeit at a whopping A$62,990 price tag.

But if Nissan's Cummins alliance did bear fruit in Navara, it could give us an edge over rivals like the Ranger/BT50 and Colorado without going back to the lust - and price - of the V6 diesel. It could also give the Navara the ability to compete with the competition's 3500kg towing capacity, when even Navara's V6 diesel is only rated for 3000kg despite having the most power and torque in its segment.