Naturally, the first new Z-Car in over a decade captured the most attention when it was revealed in yesterday’s teaser video from Nissan.
While we were distracted by the upcoming Z’s graceful curves, Nissan was also delivering shadowy reveals of ten other upcoming products.
These run the gamut from what appear to be minor facelifts to more comprehensive redesigns, and include updates to Nissan’s three best-selling models in Australia.
The first vehicle shown in the video is Nissan’s upcoming electric crossover, the Ariya. This is the first intentional reveal of the production version, though we already know what it’ll look like thanks to some leaked patent drawings.
They revealed a production EV that looks extremely similar to the Ariya concept from last year’s Tokyo show. It’s sized similarly to the X-Trail but promises a more spacious cabin due to the placement of the batteries under the floor.
We expect it to launch in overseas markets in 2021. There’s been no official confirmation as to whether it’ll come here, though Nissan Australia says it’s pushing for it.
A crucial product for Nissan is the Qashqai, which last year was the company’s third best-selling product in Australia after the Navara and X-Trail.
Once again, this small SUV will bear a close resemblance with the mid-sized X-Trail – indeed, the two models are sold as the Rogue Sport and Rogue in North America.
It’s tipped to be unveiled this year, though it mightn’t arrive here until 2021.
According to reports from Autocar, it’ll use the same platform as the current model but will add the option of Nissan’s ePower hybrid technology and possibly even a plug-in hybrid variant, à la the Outlander from Alliance member Mitsubishi.
Following the Qashqai will be the next-generation Pathfinder, replacing the current model which dates back to 2013.
The interior will receive a significant upgrade, finally getting a modern infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Overseas reports have also indicated the current Pathfinder V6’s continuously-variable transmission (CVT) will be replaced with a nine-speed automatic, though the 3.5-litre V6 engine will carry over unchanged. The supercharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid is also expected to continue.
The Navara appears to be getting a facelift ahead of a next-generation model, due in 2023/24, that’ll share its platform with the Mitsubishi Triton.
You can make out the distinctive new LED light signatures, similar to those of the refreshed Patrol, and what appears to be revised front-end styling. The Navara received an updated infotainment system last year so it’s unclear what changes will be found inside the cabin.
Nissan also previewed what appears to be an updated version of the Navara-based Terra SUV, first introduced in 2018 and sold in various Asian markets.
Though it would make a credible rival for the likes of the Ford Everest and Toyota Fortuner, it continues to be off-limits for us.
The fifth-generation Micra is also getting an update.
Though we received previous generations of Micra, the current, French-built car – introduced in 2017 – has yet to make the trip here.
Nissan Australia’s managing director Stephen Lester has said it’s a “logical choice” for the local line-up and the local division has been working on a business case. Though exchange rates remain tricky, the recent introduction of an automatic transmission makes it more desirable.
After persisting with the last-generation D40 Navara for 16 years, Nissan USA is getting a replacement ute that’ll continue to use the Frontier name.
The current, aged generation of Frontier was retooled this year to accept the new ute’s nine-speed automatic transmission and 3.8-litre V6 petrol engine, which produces 231kW of power and 380Nm of torque.
The new ute will also get bluffer, boxier styling than the global Navara, including a more upright front-end.
Other reveals in the video were less exciting.
The next-generation X-Trail – due next year – was shown but we’ve already seen leaked images of it. There’s a restyled Armada SUV due for North America but that just brings the Armada in line with its Patrol twin, which has already been refreshed.
Nissan also previewed a refreshed version of its Kicks small crossover, which is sold in markets throughout Asia and the Americas where the Juke isn’t offered. As we get the Juke, it’s not in the cards for us.
Though it’s never been offered here and has been withdrawn from Europe and North America, the Note is a crucial product for Nissan. In part due to the availability of Nissan’s ePower system, it’s one of the best-selling cars in its home market – last year, it was the second most popular car in Japan.
The current, second-generation model dates back to 2012 and, though it’s received technology updates during its run, it’s due for replacement.
