Nissan Unveils New Frontier Projects at Chicago Auto Show

Nissan brought three new Frontier projects to the Chicago Auto Show, held Feb. 12-21 at McCormick Place this year.

Project 72X, Project Hardbody, and Project Adventure all share the same 2022 Frontier Crew Cab platform, but address three different mid-size truck audiences. They also start with three different grade levels: S, SV, and PRO-4X respectively. All three Frontier concept trucks combine readily available Nissan and aftermarket parts and accessories with custom-designed pieces and custom graphics.

“We’re offering three looks at three styles to show how owners could modify their new Frontiers,” said Hiren Patel, project lead designer, Nissan Design America Inc (NDA). “The common ground is that they all use their trucks as canvases for personalization.”

The Project 72X is a modern take on one of Nissan’s most popular trucks, the Datsun 720. First introduced in fall 1979, the 720 eventually became the first vehicle assembled by Nissan in the U.S. when it rolled off the line at the then-new Smyrna TN Vehicle Assembly plant in 1983. Known as the ‘Lil Hustler,” it was a bare-bones, affordable truck designed for fun and advertised as ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. For the 2022 interpretation, the design team used gray exterior tones and graphics for a sense of a modern, cool attitude. The look is reinforced by the white-painted steel wheels, a 2.5 inch lift kit, and a sport bar behind the cab.

Project Hardbody, as the name suggests, pays homage to one of the most iconic Nissan trucks ever, the D21 “Hardbody.” It was the first truck design completed at NDA. Project Hardbody is built on a 2022 Frontier Crew Cab SV 4×4. It features a 3-inch lift kit, classic Hardbody block style wheels designed and milled at NDA, bed-mounted spare tire carrier, and door graphics with ’80s -style shadow outlining.

Project Adventure is the design group’s take on the current popular overlanding trend, and it features a 5-inch lift kit, 34-inch mud terrain tires, and a special carbon fiber snorkel designed and crafted by NDA. A key features is the custom body wrap depicting an atlas of the U.S. It makes the statement “This is a big country, why don’t you take your Frontier somewhere?”

Nissan also showed Hardbody racer-inspired Frontier that competed in last October’s all-women Rebelle Rally. It was piloted by Team Wild Grace co-captains Sedona Blinson and Lyn Woodward. This is the longest off-road rally in the U.S., and the racers do not use cell phones, navigation, or any electronic tools throughout the rally — just maps, compass, and roadbook. The Rebelle Rally Frontier carries the retro red, white, and blue paint job of Nissan’s champion off-road races of the 1980s.

The Frontier pro-4X Rebelle Rally racer has been modified for competition with a range of NISMO Off Road parts. These include NISMO Off Road performance exhaust, NISMO Off Road performance suspension kit, 4-inch off-road lights, and NISMO Off Road AXIS wheels.

First staged in 1901, the Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America and has been held more times than any other auto exposition on the continent. This year marked the 114th edition of the Chicago Auto Show.

The 2022 Chicago Auto Show featured nearly hundreds of different vehicles from 19 different manufacturers. Numerous automotive accessories and auto-related exhibits, competition vehicles, project cars, antique and collector vehicles, and interactive exhibits were also featured.

The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) is the nation’s oldest and largest metropolitan dealer organization. The CATA has produced the Chicago Auto Show since 1935.

All Chicago Auto Show exhibits were held in the McCormick Place complex. Exhibitions included multiple world and North American introductions; a complete range of domestic and imported passenger cars and trucks; sport utility vehicles; and experimental or concept cars. In total, nearly 1,000 different vehicles were on display.

Durhl Caussey writes a car column read around the world. He may be reached at this outlet or [email protected].