Frontier gets an update...but only in the powertrain?

"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch) 02/06/2020 at 11:56 • Filed to: Nissan, Frontier, nissan frontier

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The D40 lives on and on and on. The 2020 Frontier will get a new engine and trans. A 3.8 liter V6 with a 9 speed auto. 310 hp and 288 lbs-ft. Thats 3 more speeds, 32 hp and 23 lbs-ft more than the Tacoma and they are clai ming a 10% improvement in economy, so...almost not terrible.

Granted most of that improvement is going to be highway and mostly due to the transmission. The engine is almost certainly tuned for premium for max power too, derating with regular like the 5.6 liter is. Still, its going to be a strong truck considering its STILL in the old D40 body.

This move tells us 2 things clearly.

1. The new frontier is going to be a d40 refresh - we already knew that.

2. Nissan needs a win NOW and it isn’t willing to wait for the new model truck.

The question is - will it matter if the infotainment doesn’t have carplay and android auto?

Nibby > HammerheadFistpunch 02/06/2020 at 12:08

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ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > HammerheadFistpunch 02/06/2020 at 12:22

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I’m going to guess this won’t be enough for too many more folks than anyone other than the fleet buyers and two people currently buying Nissan’s new version of its 2004 truck that they still keep selling for some reason.

It’s a step in the right direction, but it doesn’t solve the old bones that weren’t even the best midsize truck when they were new in 2004. I just can’t see too many more folks spending new truck money for 2 004 truck ride, handling and braking, 2004 truck aerodynamics, 2004 truck interior and so on...

punkgoose17 > HammerheadFistpunch 02/06/2020 at 12:23

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This is a good thing. The new engine was needed. Hopefully with the refresh a new 4cylinder is ready too.

This reminds me of when the Mazda sky-activ engines went into the 2012 Mazda3 the year before the new 2013 Mazda3.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > HammerheadFistpunch 02/06/2020 at 12:27

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For the guy looking to trade in his million-mile ‘07.

HammerheadFistpunch > punkgoose17 02/06/2020 at 12:28

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4 cylinder is dead, at least in this body style.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > HammerheadFistpunch 02/06/2020 at 12:28

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I like it, i like the way the frontier currently looks. i hope the interior is a bit more modern though

7:07 > HammerheadFistpunch 02/06/2020 at 12:30

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Who makes the 9 speed transmission?

Also, I used to sell Nissan back in the early 2000s when this was considered a “new” truck and it’s funny to see the same interior being sold as new.  Still, I’d buy a Frontier over a Tacoma or other small truck. There’s something refreshingly honest about the size and design of it.

HammerheadFistpunch > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 02/06/2020 at 12:30

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aside from the interior there is really nothing keeping this new powertrain from being fully competitive with today’ s trucks. Fully boxed frame D44 locking rear axle, solid looks (I think). Suspension isn’t bad on these at all. If this had an updated interior and a basic aerodynamic make over I think it could be what most truck buyers actually want but wont admit to themselves. I guess that’ s why the 3rd gen will still be D40 based.

Ash78, voting early and often > HammerheadFistpunch 02/06/2020 at 12:32

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If the new body won’t be available for another year, I won’t fault them for shoving the new powerplant in there right now.

But as a person who deals with too much documentation already in his job, I feel horrible for all the engineering docs and shop manuals that will have to be produced for this one-off unicorn.

Word: TRACK CHANGES ON.

HammerheadFistpunch > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 02/06/2020 at 12:32

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interior is unchanged minus a...wait for it...push button start.

jminer > HammerheadFistpunch 02/06/2020 at 12:35

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I had one of these as a rental for nearly a month and quite liked the Spartan nature ad size of it. The transmission was very dated and it got awful gas mileage. I averaged 15, with 75% highway driving.

It also made me very happy to get my Sportwagen back from the shop.

HammerheadFistpunch > 7:07 02/06/2020 at 12:36

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From what I hear its built by Nissan (Jatco) under license from Daimler.

The Ghost of Oppo > HammerheadFistpunch 02/06/2020 at 12:37

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Tuning the engine for premium gas seems like a terrible idea. On average premium costs ~ 20% more than regular and n othing else in the segment requires premium .

HammerheadFistpunch > jminer 02/06/2020 at 12:39

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They are a little course and get crap mileage but thats kinda the truck experience people want I guess.  This truck just needs a few tweaks to be great.  A little more payload, a new powertrain (done) some aero tweaks with a styling update and most importantly an entirely new interior including back seats that aren’t bolt upright.

HammerheadFistpunch > The Ghost of Oppo 02/06/2020 at 12:41

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its an easy way to get best in class numbers so long as your tune is flexible enough to handle lower grade fuel.  Toyota did it on the 2nd gen but backwards, rating the engine for 236 hp but with a small bump UP if you use premium.  The new titan does it where you get advertised power on premium but it runs on regular just fine, with a 10 hp drop.

punkgoose17 > HammerheadFistpunch 02/06/2020 at 12:43

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It looks like it is dead on the smaller King Cab too.

https://www.kbb.com/articles/car-news/2020-nissan-frontier-first-look/

HammerheadFistpunch > punkgoose17 02/06/2020 at 12:44

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yeah I mean the 4 pot is dead in 2020, it might be back in the new body though

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > HammerheadFistpunch 02/06/2020 at 12:47

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which means it probably has that stupid steering wheel still. wonder if you could get a new titan wheel and swap it in haha

HammerheadFistpunch > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 02/06/2020 at 12:50

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yes, same terrible wheel.

The Ghost of Oppo > HammerheadFistpunch 02/06/2020 at 12:51

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Auto industry advertising departments:

HammerheadFistpunch > The Ghost of Oppo 02/06/2020 at 12:52

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im okay with is.  It means I can choose my own adventure for power.

Shift24 > HammerheadFistpunch 02/06/2020 at 12:57

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As I said on the front page I have more of a feeling its to get ahead of any issues the Drivetrain might have .

Yes its not an exact 1:1 of what the new truck could be but would give them an idea if it would have any issues ahead of time un like the issues the new Taco had when it came out. People were hesitant on buying one because of the weird Trans issues that plagued the earlier ones. But being a Toyota people saw past it and as its shown figured Toyota would figure it out or have a fix because Toyota instantly means reliable.

Nissan doenst have that luxury, they have to get it right from the beginning or it will be dub bed as crap. Look at Nissans CVTs they are probably better than they were but in talking with actual buyers, many are wary of it and have gone else where. (also the fact they are just basically rental cars)

Granted the latter frame for the Frontier will probably stay but Id bet Nissan is going to take a full swing at it and truly make new.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > HammerheadFistpunch 02/06/2020 at 12:57

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boooo

HammerheadFistpunch > Shift24 02/06/2020 at 13:05

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I don’t think that’ s a fair analysis. T he trans issue was a result of conservative tuning and people knew that it wasn’t going to be an issue more than an annoyance and it wasn’t pre-tested on the old gen, it all came out at once. There were aftermarket tunes within a year to solve the annoyance and Toyota flashes not long after.

As for the Nissan, this isn’t even a first use for this transmission, it’ s a version of the one in the Titan and it’ s a Daimler design built under licence .

The new truck is going to be built on the D40 chassis, we know this, so I’ m not expecting a full swing on new, much like the Tacoma wasn’t.

jminer > HammerheadFistpunch 02/06/2020 at 13:33

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I agree - I left it deciding that if I needed a new truck this would fit the bill nicely.

I appreciated how not over teched  it was and genuinely enjoyed it. I just enjoyed my wagon more.

Shift24 > HammerheadFistpunch 02/06/2020 at 13:55

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I wouldnt call hunting for gears exactly a conservative tune. The hesitation and stalling on hard pulls i would call conservative. I kind of noticed this on a 17 when towing a car but not to the extent the forums go into .

And the true fix tune didnt come from Toyota until over 2 years later one for the 40-50 surge and the other TSB 0062-18 tune came out about the same time which helped hunting and hard pulls . (3 links there). So while it may not be detrimental to the trans it was still an issue that racked up 100s of complaints (that was just for 18 here is 17 )

And while didnt know its the same trans from the Titan the theory still stands as its the first time the whole drivetrain is together. The 5.6L is not going to act like the 3.8L so tuning will be needed.

And yes sorry I was meaning that the latter frame as the chassis, would stay and was meaning a full make over styling and interior wise. Not the rehash that FCA did with the LX platforms.

ranwhenparked > HammerheadFistpunch 02/06/2020 at 14:00

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My dad bought a Frontier 2 years ago specifically because it's the oldest and lowest tech design on the market. He manages a fleet of government vehicles as part of his job and is a big believer in durability and low maintenance costs being connected with simplicity. He would still be buying Crown Victorias if they were still in production

HammerheadFistpunch > ranwhenparked 02/06/2020 at 14:19

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There is a lot of truth to that, even though we don’t want to admit it. Its why Ford’s new 7.3 is a NA overbuilt big block pushrod

DasWauto > HammerheadFistpunch 02/06/2020 at 14:31

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Apart from the interior I like the current truck as well. It’s just so Fischer price in there.

I really hope the new truck doesn’t go too tall on the cab. Most of the midsize competitors have stretched vertically for that trendy high seating position that I hate - I’m 6’5”, I shouldn’t have to step UP into a midsize truck.

That’s why this refresh is sort of appealing to me, I’d like to keep the current size. When the 2020s hit dealers I might  check them out.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > HammerheadFistpunch 02/06/2020 at 21:34

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Nissan (for that matter, the entire Renault Nissan Mitsubishi Alliance) really have stopped giv ing a shit about North America.

The D40 dates nearly from the turn of the century, everywhere else is running the D23 (which is a far better vehicle) and even it’s about to be superseded by a vehicle whose development is being led by Mitsubishi...

pip bip - choose Corrour > HammerheadFistpunch 02/07/2020 at 18:20

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kill the D40 already.

get the D23