Replace: We had been a teaser video Nissan launched as a part of their press convention laying out its general technique. The video reveals a wide range of upcoming designs, together with a pair which were revealed together with the Sakura kei automotive from the Tokyo present, and the Kicks from the New York present. For a quick second, we will spot a really boxy car with massive, tubular roof rails, a vertical tail, truck-y lights, and looking out very carefully, the little hatch bump that is synonymous with the Xterra (which was an alcove for a primary help equipment on the previous fashions). We’re fairly assured this can be a new Xterra. We have included the screenshot from the video on the prime, in addition to the video itself instantly beneath. We have additionally up to date a few of the textual content to replicate this new discovering.
The revival and revitalization of basic off-roaders is proving to be very talked-about with patrons, and extremely worthwhile with automakers, significantly with fashions just like the Defender, Bronco and revamped Land Cruiser. There are a few exceptions that have not appeared to totally capitalize on this pattern, with one noteworthy instance being Nissan. Probably its most well-known off-roader, the Frontier-based Xterra, has been absent because the 2015 mannequin yr, almost a decade in the past. However after speaking with Nissan Americas Senior Vice President and Chief Planning Officer Ponz Pandikuthira, it appears we might even see a revival, but.
To be completely clear, Pandikuthira did not verify an Xterra. However he did say that the concept is being “very actively considered.” Moreover, we discovered him to have a clearer thought of a contemporary Xterra than anticipated for one thing that is not actually confirmed. One of many chief standards he listed was that “it’s got to be authentic,” and that it needs to be a “serious truck.” Principally, it will possibly’t be only a Rogue with all-terrain tires, however one thing with actual truck functionality. He additionally famous that it could each have to be comparatively cheap, in addition to incorporate some fashionable design particulars. Each of these sound refreshing in a world of extraordinarily costly and retro-styled off-road rigs. Moreover, that would appear to line up with one thing that Nissan’s Senior Vice President for World Design Alfonso Albaisa advised us about how he sees the chance now to have retro designs which are extra delicate and allude to previous design cues with out being restricted by them.
As such, whereas we may see some retro cues and options, it appears to us that this hypothetical neo-Xterra would most likely be primarily based on an current truck platform, most likely the Frontier’s, which might be proper according to the unique, and certain what followers of the mannequin would love. Nevertheless it won’t be as retro as anticipated, with nods being low-key and fewer apparent. Nissan has been releasing some fairly radical wanting ideas previously yr, too. One among them being the Hyper Journey idea you see above. Nevertheless, it is probably that inspiration from that idea will likely be restricted to extra delicate cues, somewhat than the general model, because the picture at prime from a Nissan teaser video counsel that it’s going to have a extra standard profile. It additionally has a few of these low-key retro nods Albaisa referred to.
These are our greatest guesses primarily based on what we all know, they usually usually appear so as to add up. The market appears proper, using an current platform would hold prices down and feasibility up, and it looks like Nissan higher-ups have an interest. So we expect a brand new Xterra may have a very good shot at actuality. If nothing else, it looks like an incredible thought to us.