EXCLUSIVE! Titan / Frontier Chat with Nissan - Tues, May 28

[AZhitman]

After the success of the exclusive product Q & A sessions here at NICOclub (Sentra, Pathfinder, 370Z, Altima and GT-R) Nissan has once again graciously agreed to have Brent Hagan – Nissan Titan Product Planner and Chris Schwerkoske – Nissan Frontier Product Planner, pop in and answer YOUR questions about the all-new Titan and Frontier, right here!

Bookmark this thread, and tune in at 2PM CST on Tuesday, May 28th, 2013.

If you have any questions you'd like to see answered, feel free to post them up here. Discussion will occur AFTER the live chat - QUESTIONS ONLY for now. Thanks all!

NOTE: If your question disappears, don't panic - it just means we already have received the same question. Also, keep it respectful, relevant, and quick - We'd like to keep this a regular occurrence with Nissan!

Thanks guys - and thanks to Nissan for putting their faith in us to keep these exclusive chats coming your way!

[nissangirl74]

In the upcoming models of both the Frontier and the Titan, will Nissan be addressing the issue of poor fuel economy? The current Frontier gets 16/22 and the Titan gets 13/18 mpg. The ONLY reason I do not daily drive our Frontier is because of the poor mpg. Everything else about it, I love. Because of that issue, I am wondering how you are going to entice potential customers to buy a Nissan truck when others companies are building comparably (or better) equipped trucks with better fuel economy?

[300ZXttZMAN]

subscribed

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Will the frontier ever be offered with the tailgate assist like Titan has?

[Dattebayo]

Yeah, I'm in. I can't understand why your trucks have such horrible fuel economy for the power they make? It's silly considering my little D21 gets better mileage then the current Frontier does.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

With the upcoming massive investment into a diesel network here in North America, is there any real reason not to offer diesels in the rest of the Nissan lineup? I know the D40 Frontier/Navara has had diesels in other parts of the world for quite some time now. Are there any plans to bring something similar to the US?

According to Nissan.de (Germany), that bad boy gets 7.1l/100km highway, or a whopping 33 US mpg, and about 22 city (almost 28 combined).
http://www.nissan.de/etc/medialib/nissa ... chland.pdf

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Also, I'll be the first to ask-
Will the new Titan be offered with a manual transmission?

[MinisterofDOOM]

The KA24 was a part of what made earlier Frontiers and Hardbodies so great as affordable workhorses. These days, the only Frontier that's really worth buying has a V6. I know the truck has grown a lot since the '90s, but does Nissan have any intention of making the cheap models genuinely relevant again? It seems that one of the primary reasons that the midsize truck is losing relevance for most buyers is that there's just too little differentiation from the big-boys (especially in terms of fuel economy). I think a GENUINELY OUTSTANDING four-cylinder could be a game-changer for the Frontier.

I really miss my 2.3 liter Ranger, and have spent plenty of time behind the wheel of KA-powered hardbodies and Frontiers, and I find it INCREDIBLY frustrating that there's no modern counterpart to these great little trucks. I love power and torque as much as the next guy, but sometimes I just want something practical, simple and dependable that I don't have to be afraid to beat on.

[Rev_D21]

Since Nissan recently re-entered the commercial sector with the NV line do you have plans to offer commercial versions of the Frontier and/or Titan in the spirit of the 1-ton commercial Hardbody and 720 model trucks? Will there ever be a cab and chassis version available? A dually version?

[AZhitman]

Will the frontier ever be offered with the tailgate assist like Titan has?

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!

I actually went out and bought a kit to retrofit our Frontier. It's a $7 part (less if you're a huge company) that would really make a big difference. The difference is in the details. This one is a no-brainer. Seriously, convince me otherwise.

I'd like to chime in with some more in-depth truck questions for Mr. Hagen and Mr. Schwerkoske, if I may. As you guys know, I've been running this show for the past 11 years. I've owned approximately 30 Nissan products. I STILL own 11 Nissan vehicles. Yes, 11. I'm as loyal as they get, but my loyalty has its limits. I'm desperately wanting to remain a brand cheerleader, but some of the product planning decisions lately have left most of us scratching our heads.

I've owned THREE Frontiers:
'98 King cab KA base model, 200K miles on the KA, still have it
'00 Crew Cab 2wd, VG33, 280K miles, sold it
'05 VQ40-powered 6MT SE Crew Cab (which we've owned since almost new).

The '05 Fronty is, BY FAR, BAR NONE, the best vehicle we have ever owned. With 120K miles, it's still new-looking. It's been trouble-free, and we regularly tow our classic Datsuns behind it on an 18' trailer, all over the southwestern US. It's comfortable, quick, and attractive. No squeaks, no rattles, and aside from routine maintenance, it hasn't ever cost us a thing.

Our fuel economy leaves a little to be desired, compared to full-size trucks like the F150. When and how will Nissan address this? If I were shopping for a replacement, I'd LOVE to buy another Frontier, but it's pretty hard to ignore the weak FE numbers when a new F-series or a new Silverado gets better mileage.

ALSO, understanding that the Titan and Frontier share more underpinnings than people think, what's the possibility of getting a VK-powered 6-speed Frontier?

Likewise, how feasible would it be to get a VK56, SINGLE-CAB, 2wd Titan? Before you answer, let's look at some "truck history."

Remember the Dodge Dakota R/T? Remember the Lightning? Remember the Silverado SS? ALL were "halo trucks" for their respective brands. Nissan does't have a halo truck, yet a quick trip to the parts bin could yield a MONSTER for people who simply want a high-horsepower, 2-seater pickup (for work or play). C'mon, Nissan. What say ye?

As captain of this little ship, I'd like to thank you guys for being here and talking with us... I'm collecting up some questions that are coming in via Twitter and Facebook as well, and I'll load those up as the chat starts... THanks again to you both!

[nissangirl74]

On the Nissan Website (http://www.nissanusa.com/buildyournissan/variant/index)

The price for 2013 King Cab SV 2WD is $17,990. The price for the King Cab SV 4WD is $25,740. A difference of $7,750.00

The price for a Crew Cab SV 2WD is $23,990. The Price for the Crew Cab SV 4WD is $26,990. A difference of $3000.00

Why does it cost $4,750 more to put 4WD in a King Cab vs. the Crew Cab?

[PapaSmurf2k3]

50 minutes!!!

[nissangirl74]

Yay!!!!

[nissangirl74]

Is there any possibility of Nissan building a V6 single-cab Frontier with a manual trans or a single-cab Titan with a manual trans?

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I have a good one for powertrain.

Do we know general external dimensions for the next wave of powerplants? The current VK has a pretty monstrously tall intake manifold (and really is just tall all together). I know a lot of people that were looking at upgrading their powerplant in various vehicles that couldn't go with a VK simply because of its dimensions.
Not a very important question by any means though...

[AZhitman]

AAAAAAND, we're live with Brent and Chris from Nissan!

[NissanTruckPlanners]

In the upcoming models of both the Frontier and the Titan, will Nissan be addressing the issue of poor fuel economy? The current Frontier gets 16/22 and the Titan gets 13/18 mpg. The ONLY reason I do not daily drive our Frontier is because of the poor mpg. Everything else about it, I love. Because of that issue, I am wondering how you are going to entice potential customers to buy a Nissan truck when others companies are building comparably (or better) equipped trucks with better fuel economy?

Nissangirl74, Great question and thanks for your participation. Fuel Economy is top of mind for every auto manufacturer. As you can expect, it is a topic that receives daily consideration and planning here at Nissan. I can assure you that we are working diligently to improve fuel economy for ALL of our programs through various methods. We'll share news as soon as possible related to Titan and Frontier.

[AZhitman]

Just got this one in from one of our Facebook followers in the Pacific Northwest:

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesand ... 2_ruth.pdf
http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/cummin ... titan.html

Looks like the diesel option for the Titan should be nearing completion - Do we put this in the "red herring" file, or can we get some updates on the progress before it shows up at the dealers?

[NissanTruckPlanners]

Will the frontier ever be offered with the tailgate assist like Titan has?

PapaSmurf2k3, thank you for the question. The tailgate assist that launched on the Titan was a great Nissan innovation. As with other Nissan innovations, we constantly look for new ways to broaden the application of useful innovations in our products.

Have you personally used the tailgate assist on a Titan? If so, how do you like its operation?

[NissanTruckPlanners]

Since Nissan recently re-entered the commercial sector with the NV line do you have plans to offer commercial versions of the Frontier and/or Titan in the spirit of the 1-ton commercial Hardbody and 720 model trucks? Will there ever be a cab and chassis version available? A dually version?

Rev_D21, It's a great observation that there are synergies between our commercial offerings and Titan/Frontier. While Titan and Frontier aren't considered "Nissan Commercial Vehicles", we know there are plenty of customers that use them in business and fleet applications. Our expectation is that Commercial customers consider our dealerships to be a "one stop shop" for their business needs regardless if that's for a van or truck.

[Nissanaddicted]

I have and loved it, After owning two titans with the tailgate assist, I had a problem for a while dropping the tailgate on the frontier since I was used to it supporting it own weight.

[AZhitman]

I have and loved it, After owning two titans with the tailgate assist, I had a problem for a while dropping the tailgate on the frontier since I was used to it supporting it own weight.

I'll concur with this. The Frontier tailgate, for its size, is quite heavy (compared to other, even larger, trucks). If you've got an armload of stuff, a dropping tailgate isn't just a pain, it can do some damage (again, I can attest to this - OUCH).

If only for the safety factor alone, it's a brilliant move. You guys can keep the royalty check.

[Nissanaddicted]

What changes are we going to see in the new truck lineup. After 2 titans and 3 frontiers, I am ready to to feel like I bought a new truck instead of a cleaner continuation of my old one

One suggestion, make the tailgate beefier, I load appliances in and out of my bed all the time and my tailgate has a bit of a warp in it.

[NissanTruckPlanners]

Is there any possibility of Nissan building a V6 single-cab Frontier with a manual trans or a single-cab Titan with a manual trans?

Interesting question. Nissan is definitely interested in broadening the appeal of our trucks to a larger audience (specifically personal-use, skilled trades-buyers, and commercial owners/fleets). While I can't speak specifically to offerings that aren't on the lots today, Nissan is looking to increase the truck configurations.

[AZhitman]

Question coming in via our Twitter account from NICOclub follower @bushroderick :

Will the 2014 Titan be getting a new body style?

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Have you personally used the tailgate assist on a Titan? If so, how do you like its operation?

I have, although it seems like the pre-MY13 Titans were a little slower/more graceful in their drop. Maybe the new tailgate design weighs more and they kept the old assist. Still, it's definitely one of the nicer options to have. Sort of like a cell phone. Once you have it, you can't imagine life without it haha.

[NissanTruckPlanners]

What changes are we going to see in the new truck lineup. After 2 titans and 3 frontiers, I am ready to to feel like I bought a new truck instead of a cleaner continuation of my old one

Nissaaddicted,
While I obviously can't release confidential information, I can reassure you that we understand clearly the competitive nature of the Full-size and Compact truck markets. Our competitors don't sleep and neither do we. In case you missed it, our VP recently made this comment:

"Our truck engineers and designers have very clear marching orders," said Loing. "Deliver a winner. Nothing is off the table. Many of our team have lived and studied the truck market and lifestyle most of their careers. They know the stakes."

He's not blowing smoke. We're working tirelessly to bring YOU a winner. We want you to continue to be "addicted" to Nissan.

[NissanTruckPlanners]

Have you personally used the tailgate assist on a Titan? If so, how do you like its operation?

I have, although it seems like the pre-MY13 Titans were a little slower/more graceful in their drop. Maybe the new tailgate design weighs more and they kept the old assist. Still, it's definitely one of the nicer options to have. Sort of like a cell phone. Once you have it, you can't imagine life without it haha.

PapaSmurf2k3,
You are correct on both counts. Once you experience an assisted tailgate, you can't go back. Also, the MY13 tailgate is heavier because of the additional mass for the tailgate spoiler. At times there are trade-offs when we strive to improve fuel economy.

[Nissanaddicted]

What changes are we going to see in the new truck lineup. After 2 titans and 3 frontiers, I am ready to to feel like I bought a new truck instead of a cleaner continuation of my old one

Nissaaddicted,
While I obviously can't release confidential information, I can reassure you that we understand clearly the competitive nature of the Full-size and Compact truck markets. Our competitors don't sleep and neither do we. In case you missed it, our VP recently made this comment:

"Our truck engineers and designers have very clear marching orders," said Loing. "Deliver a winner. Nothing is off the table. Many of our team have lived and studied the truck market and lifestyle most of their careers. They know the stakes."

He's not blowing smoke. We're working tirelessly to bring YOU a winner. We want you to continue to be "addicted" to Nissan.

If you need a beta tester for the new trucks, I'd be glad to volunteer.I put 30k a year on my trucks, so i find bugs (if there are any) quickly!!

[NissanTruckPlanners]

The KA24 was a part of what made earlier Frontiers and Hardbodies so great as affordable workhorses. These days, the only Frontier that's really worth buying has a V6. I know the truck has grown a lot since the '90s, but does Nissan have any intention of making the cheap models genuinely relevant again? It seems that one of the primary reasons that the midsize truck is losing relevance for most buyers is that there's just too little differentiation from the big-boys (especially in terms of fuel economy). I think a GENUINELY OUTSTANDING four-cylinder could be a game-changer for the Frontier.

I really miss my 2.3 liter Ranger, and have spent plenty of time behind the wheel of KA-powered hardbodies and Frontiers, and I find it INCREDIBLY frustrating that there's no modern counterpart to these great little trucks. I love power and torque as much as the next guy, but sometimes I just want something practical, simple and dependable that I don't have to be afraid to beat on.

MinisterofDOOM, thanks for your question. Nissan recognizes that customers need affordable midsize pickups that are relevant, which is why we lowered pricing for the 2013 model year and FE was improved for the V6 models. The base King Cab model now starts at $17,990 and the SV grade 4x2 Crew Cab has a new price of $23,990.

With regard to future engines, be sure that we are working diligently to make improvements to our products to remain relevant to midsize truck customers and stay competitive within the pickup segment.