The radically redesigned 2001 Nissan Frontier, making its debut this month in Canadian dealerships, will soon become the first compact truck in the world to offer a supercharged V6 engine.
The supercharged 210-horsepower version of Frontier's award-winning 3.3-litre SOHC V6 will go on sale in November on two new SC models, the Frontier 4x2 Crew Cab SC-V6 and the 4x4 Crew Cab SC-V6.
Designed in conjunction with and manufactured by Eaton Corporation, the Roots-type supercharger is factory-installed, fully warranted and provides increases of 40 horsepower and 45 ft-lbs of torque over the normally aspirated V6. It will be available with a choice of 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.
"Truck enthusiasts are going to love this new supercharged V6 engine," said Ian Forsyth, Director, Marketing, Nissan Canada, Inc. "It gives the feel of a bigger engine when you need it, with the excellent everyday driveability which Frontier has always been known for."
The debut of the supercharged engine gives Frontier buyers a choice of three powerplants: the turbocharged V6; the normally aspirated 3.3-litre V6 which produces a healthy 170 horsepower and 200 ft-lbs of torque; and the 2.4-litre, 143-horsepower DOHC engine that is the most powerful 4-cylinder in its class.
At its introduction this month, the 2001 Frontier will be available in a choice of King Cab or Crew Cab, 4x4 or 4x2 drive configurations and XE or SE trim levels. The SC (supercharged) trim level will be added in November.
All 2001 Frontiers receive a bold new "modern, industrial" exterior styling treatment - courtesy of Nissan Design International in La Jolla, Calif. The new exterior includes a rugged-looking front bumper and fenders, flush-mounted clear-lens headlights and new wheels and tires - including 17-inch designs for SC models. Inside, there's an upgraded interior with new instrument panel cover and steering wheel. Air conditioning is now standard across the Frontier lineup.
The Frontier's independent double-wishbone front suspension with stabilizer bar and rear rigid axle with multi-leaf springs provide car-like handling and ride, while the power-assisted front vented disc/rear drum brake system with standard anti-lock brakes offers secure braking control.
Standard safety equipment includes supplemental front dual air bags, front crumple zones, energy-absorbing steering column, hood buckling creases, pipe-style steel side-door guard beams and a 3-point ALR/ELR seat belt system with seat belt pretensioners.
Other standard equipment on the Frontier XE King Cab 4x2 includes the 4-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC engine, 5-speed manual transmission, 15-inch styled steel wheels, 225/70R15 all-season steel-belted tires, rear step bumper, cloth bench seat, LCD odometer with two trip meters, 60/40 split bench, rear jump seats, tinted glass, full carpeting, cupholder, power-assisted steering, dual outside mirrors and 3,500-pound towing capacity.
The Frontier King Cab 4x4 comes standard with a 3.3-liter V6 engine. Both 4x2 and 4x4 King Cab versions offer an optional 4-speed automatic transmission.
All XE V6 King Cab models feature 15-inch alloy wheels with P265/70R15 tires, auto locking hubs, cloth bucket seats and dual black power outside mirrors and a centre console with cup holders.
Frontier Crew Cabs offer four real doors and combine the practicality of an SUV with the open-bed utility of a pickup truck.
Four real doors allow up to five passengers to enter the vehicle with ease. The bed is 465 mm (18.3 inches) shorter than the standard Frontier, but within 15 percent of the volume of many competitive extended cab model beds. An optional bed extender enlarges the Crew Cab bed length, rivaling the competition's extended cab beds.
The interior of the Frontier Crew Cab combines the comfort and convenience of 2001 2-door Frontier pickup with many qualities of a sedan or SUV. Crew Cab offers provisions for the installation of a child safety seat in the rear passenger area, something lacking in today's extended cab compact truck market.
The 3.3-litre V6 is standard equipment on Frontier Crew Cab along with a 4-speed electronically controlled overdrive automatic transmission and a 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive driveline. Also offered is the factory-installed supercharged engine.
All Frontier Crew Cabs come standard with a 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), actuating on the front disc and rear drum brakes.
Also standard is privacy glass on the rear door windows and back glass, rear window defogger, 100-watt AM/FM/CD audio system and heavy-duty skid plates.
Adding to the XE Crew Cab model, the sporty SE comes standard with 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels, 4-wheel ABS, body-colour fender flares, dual body-colour outside mirrors, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob (M5), fog lamps and variable intermittent windshield wipers.
Many option packages are available on Frontier King Cabs and Crew Cabs.