Nissan has declared it’s the “Year of the Truck.” Nissan will be bringing mid-size truck buyers a new-generation 2018 Frontier soon. Will it be getting a Cummins diesel option? If its like the new Titan half-ton single cab, it will. The new Titan will be offered with a Cummins 5.0-liter V8 Turbo Diesel, which is rated at 310 horsepower and 555 lb-ft of torque. It won’t be getting this diesel powerhouse, but it could come with a smaller version.

What’s next for the new 2018 Frontier?

Nissan recently brought a prototype Frontier pickup with 2.8-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel engine to a press event. This was the same vehicle Nissan brought to the Chicago Auto Show in 2014. The new diesel variant has around 200hp and 350 lb ft of torque. It comes mated to an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission. The fuel economy improvement would be around 30 percent over the comparable Frontier V6 gas powerplant according to Nissan sources.

Nissan is evaluating the US market

Nissan says the towing capacity would likely be comparable to their V6 towing rating (5500 lbs), but testing is still being conducted. Nissan is responding to the positive reaction from the new Chevy Colorado with a diesel option. Nissan already produces the global Frontier (Renault Navara) with a diesel that sells well around the world. Now they just need to evaluate US truck buyers, and see if they would buy the new 2018 Frontier with a more costly diesel powerplant.

The new-generation midsize 2018 Nissan Frontier pickup will be redesigned next year. Look for more flexibility in the platform, new styling and an option for a 2.8-liter Cummins Turbo-Diesel engine. Stay tuned.

Source: Nissan

Image: Renault Alaskan