Since many truckmakers decide to enter diesel pickup market, it won’t be a surprise to see the new Nissan Frontier going the same way. The introduction of the new petrol engine can be both advantage and disadvantage. The unit was accepted nicely, and it shows tendency towards changes. So, the 2023 Nissan Frontier diesel could be an ultimate version of a very capable truck.
But, even bigger downside is the future of such vehicles. Not only in this segment, but in the entire automotive industry, diesel units are being dropped. On the other hand, Jeep doesn’t think that and launches Gladiator with an oil burner. Chevy Colorado is there for a while. Toyota and Ford are not launching such engines for their mid-size trucks. And finally, the closest sibling to the Frontier pickup is Navara. In the rest of the world, the vehicle is way more popular with a diesel engine. It can’t be carried over to the US, and the development would cost a lot.
All in all, the Japanese manufacturer will have to make a big decision. Before that, analysts are examining possibilities and best options, and after their work is done, the 2023 Nissan Frontier Diesel will get a green or red light.
2023 Nissan Frontier Diesel Specs
Having an oil burner available in other markets, the company might carry it over for the US pickup. The 2023 Nissan Frontier diesel would position the vehicle better, although the truck is very competitive already. This kind of a drivetrain would be the final piece of the redesign puzzle, that includes a fresh look, new petrol drivetrain, and revisited Pro-4X package.
The main source of power is a 2.3-liter turbodiesel with 160 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque in the base form (120 kW and 400 Nm). You can get a more potent version with 187 hp (160 kW) and 330 pound-feet (450 Nm). Those numbers can draw more buyers and truckers needs good working machines. You can also select either 4×2 or 4×4 drive, and the max towing capacity of Navara truck is 7,715 lbs. That tops the best in the class output by Chevy Colorado diesel (7,000 lbs). So, Nissan can do something special by adding an oil burner for the Frontier truck. But…
Diesel Engines Will be Discontinued Soon
This is the story we are listening for a while. But, many things are showing that this will eventually happen. Some say by 2025, and some by 2030. Nothing is for sure, but many carmakers are already discontinuing oil burners from their vehicles. The latest example is Ford. The Blue Oval company dropped the Powerstroke engine from the F-150 lineup after only 4 years in the market.
Of course, there are always two sides of the medal. In this case, that is expansion of diesel engines in the truck world. Heavy-duty trucks are showing no intention of giving up those units until the last moment. Half-ton pickups are still available – Ram 1500 and Chevy Silverado 1500. And finally – Chevy Colorado and Jeep Gladiator are there with oil burners. The new rival should be there when the 2023 Nissan Frontier Diesel shows up.