Nissan Frontier Pro approved with right-hand drive as Navara Pro
Chinese-made double cab will premiere as the Navara Pro in Australasia next year, making it illegible for South Africa.
Nissan has revealed that the Frontier Pro, initially produced in China, will be made with right-hand drive starting in 2027 for export to South Africa. The Frontier Pro is a rebadged version of the Dongfeng Z9, a pickup truck first introduced by the Chinese manufacturer two years ago. This marks Nissan's first bakkie (pickup truck) produced in China for right-hand drive markets. Prior to this announcement, the Frontier Pro was set to debut in Latin America for its first export market.
In a statement, Nissan highlighted that the Frontier name will be dropped in the Philippines and the Middle East, replaced by the Navara moniker, which will become the Navara Pro. The Navara Pro will be introduced in Australasia alongside the existing D27 Navara, sourced from Mitsubishi Triton. Nissan's Chief Performance Officer, Guillaume Cartier, expressed that the Navara Pro embodies the company's Dare Beyond ambition, combining advanced technology, impressive performance, and renowned quality and durability.
The Navara Pro will be available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain in Australia and New Zealand, featuring a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine combined with an undisclosed battery pack and electric motor, delivering a combined output of 300kW/800Nm. This setup will have a 3 500kg tow rating and a payload of 1 000kg. In contrast, markets outside Australasia will have the choice of a conventional 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 190kW/400Nm, a 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid developing 320kW/800Nm, or a 2.3-litre turbodiesel engine from the D23 Navara, revised to produce 140kW/500Nm.
The standard transmission for the last option is a six-speed manual, while the plug-in hybrid will feature a new four-speed dedicated hybrid transmission.
Dimensionally, the Navara Pro is expected to be similar to the Frontier Pro, with lengths of 5 520mm, wheelbase of 3 300mm, height of 1 950mm, and width of 1 960mm. The Navara Pro is currently undergoing testing in Australia, with a locally tuned suspension setup expected upon its arrival in South Africa.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
