Nissan Frontier carries an aggressive face and new long bed
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
|
BIG SUR, Calif. -- Square off face-to-face against the latest iteration of Frontier, the made-in-America pickup by Nissan, and you'll stare down the snout of what's obviously one big bruiser of a truck.
The tall chin-forward face -- with a fat-lip bumper, huge clear-lens lamps on corners flanking the grille bisected by a single round bar and those flared fenders pegged with divots and rivet-like caps -- looks muscular but unusual in an industrial-strength manner.
It supports the beefy sheetmetal styling with husky power derived from an Eaton super-charger mounted on the 3.3-liter V6 engine.
That generates 210 hp at 4800 rpm plus torque numbers running up to 246 lb-ft at only 2800 rpm.
It also brings big-time space for a compact-class truck, thanks to a generous configuration of the cab with four side doors attached plus front and back seats for as many as five adult riders.
But there's more: The truck box behind the cab stretches to 74.6 inches, the dimension of a full-size bed, and that extension boosts cargo space to 44 cubic feet.
No other compact-class pickup carries such a long bed, much less with the four-door Crew Cab configuration.
And no other offers a super-charged engine.
This new version -- the Crew Cab Long Bed S/C Frontier -- crowns a revamped lineup for Nissan's truck in the models of 2002.
The Frontier nameplate first appeared in 1998 when Nissan linked it to a fresh design for the compact-class pickup that rolled out of Nissan's Smyrna, Tenn., production facility. That design -- with Regular Cab and extended King Cab variations -- represented the seventh generation of trucks sold in the United States by Nissan and the third series pulled together at the Tennessee assembly plant.
Soon after introducing Frontier with a four-cylinder engine, Nissan borrowed from the Pathfinder sport-utility wagon a 3.3-liter V6 and added it to Frontier as an upgrade when coupled to one of two four-wheel-drive models in stretched King Cab configuration.
Another innovation emerged in 2000 with the four-door Crew Cab, a concept that blended the convenience of a four-door sedan with the practicality of a pickup truck.
More dramatic enhancements came with 2001 models when stylists at Nissan's California design studio reworked Frontier's sheetmetal shell and cabin appointments, producing the new rivet-and-divot industrial look.
An optional super-charged version of the 3.3-liter V6 also coincided with the new appearance package, along with a special high-rider edition in two-wheel-drive dubbed the Desert Runner.
With the 2002 models, Frontier evolves further through the creation of Crew Cab Long Bed and the deletion of a two-door Regular Cab from the line.
In place of Frontier's Regular Cab, which in 2001 accounted for less than eight percent of all variations sold, the King Cab XE 2WD will be available with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine as a price-leader.
In all, there are 19 different models for 2002.
The King Cab XE is the only four-cylinder choice.
Next, the Desert Runner 2WD uses the King Cab design and Nissan's 170 hp single-cam 3.3-liter V6 engine. It also carries the same heavy-duty chassis and hiked stance of a four-wheel-drive Frontier.
Trim choices include XE, deluxe SE and S/C package that adds the super-charged V6 and 17-inch aluminum wheels with performance tires.
Frontier King Cab also supports rugged four-wheel-drive editions in the same three trims of XE, SE and S/C.
Then there's the four-door Crew Cab Frontier in both 2WD and 4WD traction modes and the same three trims but a choice of box lengths -- either the regular bed at 56.3 inches or new Long Bed at 74.6 inches.
We drove up Highway 1 hugging the California coastline to Big Sur in a vivid yellow version of Frontier's Crew Cab Long Bed S/C rigged with the super-charged engine and automatic four-speed shifter in two-wheel traction.
The automatic transmission is standard equipment with the S/C package on the Crew Cab Long Bed, and we worked the stick up and down a notched gear ladder to play the extra power wrought from Frontier's blower.
You hear the super-charger whining to spin out that extra muscle. Unlike a turbo-charger that needs time to spool up for a power boost, the blower of a super-charger responds instantly to input from the accelerator.
It zips to action and executes an aggressive surge when commanded for passing slower vehicles.
The truck has a stiff frame and firm suspension settings, as reflected in the ride quality.
Its structure starts with a ladder-type chassis reinforced with cross braces to enhance torsional rigidity. To the steel platform suspension elements attach, with double wishbone arrangement up front and in the rear a solid axle with leaf springs.
The steering mechanism, using a recirculating ball mechanism, adds power assistance. Brakes, with front discs and rear drums, tie to a four-wheel anti-lock system with smart computer capacity that can read road surfaces via special sensors and then modulate brake pressure during bumpy situations with loose traction caused by gravel, sand or road dirt.
Other safety elements include dual air bags, with a key-activated shut-off switch at the passenger's side for installation of a child's seat.
The back bed, a flat rectangular box stretching more than six feet long and spreading wide to five feet, is also deep to 17 inches.
Within the bed, Nissan's flexible loading system works through the installation of partition boards in special slots to create two-tier loading plus sectional divisions for front, center and rear areas.
Frontier's tailgate can be removed quickly in a simple manual maneuver. Also, it closes easily in a one-hand lift-and-lock operation.
Packaged optional equipment applies to the Crew Cab Long Bed Frontier. For XE trim, the Power Package adds power to windows and door locks, exterior mirrors and cruise control, while the Sport Package installs a limited-slip differential, step rail and roof rack. A Leather Package on SE or S/C includes a sunroof.
|
| 2002 NISSAN FRONTIER LONGBED VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Compact pickup truck
|
| Model Options: |
Compact pickup truck
|
| Wheelbase: |
King Cab: 116.1 inches
Crew Cab/Long Bed: 131.1 inches
|
| Overall Length: |
King Cab: 196.1 inches
Crew Cab/Long Bed: 211.0 inches
Box length...................King Cab: 56.3 inches
Crew Cab/Long Bed: 74.6 inches
|
| Engine Size: |
DOHC 2.4-L I4
SOHC 3.3-L V6
SOHC 3.3-L V6 SC
|
| Transmission: |
Manual/5, Auto/4
|
| Drive: |
Rear 2WD, part-time 4WD
|
| Braking: |
Power disc/drum/ABS
|
| Airbags: |
2 (front)
|
| Gas Mileage: |
V6 4x2 M/5: 16/19 mpg
V6 4x4 M/5: 16/18 mpg
SC 4x2 A/4: 15/18 mpg
SC 4x4 A/4: 15/18 mpg
|
| MSRP Price: |
$ 15,000 to $ 29,000 |
|
|
|
The Big Lot! is dedicated to privacy, security, and service. Read our Privacy Policy.