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2005 Nissan Frontier Preview

Larger and More Powerful

My Dad used to own a Nissan pickup, or rather a Datsun. We took it everywhere, from commuting around town to hauling supplies up to our cabin in the interior, an eight hour drive from home. Every now and then wed take off to explore some remote fishing spot that often would be so far off the beaten track 4x4s dared to venture. While it wasnt a powerhouse, it got us where we wanted to go without ever letting us down.

This story, Im sure is similar to thousands of others that could be repeated by Nissan pickup truck owners over the last few decades. The truck has become almost legendary, willing to put up with constant abuse without complaint.

A

The Frontier is one of the last vehicles in Nissans lineup to receive a major update, but from the looks of it, its been worth the wait. (Photo: Nissan North America)

variety of generations later, time once again forces the need for change. After all, the Frontier is among the last of only a few models in the Nissan lineup to receive a major update. As it seems the wait has been worth it. Not only is the new truck completely redesigned with styling reminiscent of Nissans new full-size Titan pickup, but its larger and more powerful than the

New from the ground up, the 3rd generation Frontier shares a modified version of the same ladder frame used on the Nissan Titan truck. (Photo: Nissan North America)

one it replaces.

Nissans third-generation Frontier is new from the ground up, sharing a modified version of the Titans fully-boxed ladder frame. Also as part of its Titan derived "F-Alpha" platform, it includes an all-steel double-wishbone front suspension and rigid leaf rear suspension with overslung leaf springs and an extended suspension stroke to improve its off-road ride quality. The new Frontier also features standard power-assisted rack-and-pinion

"With the debut of the all-new Frontier, were solidifying Nissans truck presence in both the full-size and compact truck segments," commented Mark McNabb. (Photo: Nissan North America)

steering and 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS.

And how does it compare with the old truck in overall dimensions? Its wheelbase is 9.8 inches longer than the current Frontier which should provide improved ride comfort and great stability overall. The trucks overall length is now 205.5 inches, longer than the current model by 2.6 inches in King Cab guise and 5.6 inches for the Crew Cab. While larger, Nissan makes a point that its 2005 Frontier "is not as big as the full-size Titan."

"The award-winning

The 2005 Frontiers new 250+hp 4.0-L DOHC V6 engine is a considerable step up from the current powerplant. (Photo: Nissan North America)

Titan sets the standard for innovation in pickup design, regardless of size - which, in turn, set the tone for the creation of the 2005 Frontier," commented Mark McNabb, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. "With the debut of the all-new Frontier, were solidifying Nissans truck presence in both the full-size and compact truck segments - essentially giving buyers the same tough truck in large and extra large."

The new Frontier will be available in King and Crew Cab body configurations, plus rear-wheel drive 4x2 and 4x4 drivelines.

What about the rest of its drivetrain? The Frontiers

The base 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engine will also be available in the King Cab model. (Photo: Nissan North America)

current generation 3.3-L V6 is already a strong performer, but the new 4.0-L DOHC V6 steps up output with 250-plus horsepower and 270-plus lb-ft of torque. Thats an improvement of 70 horsepower and 68 lb-ft of torque over the current normally aspirated 180-hp 3.3-litre V6 with 202 lb-ft of torque.

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