A heavily camouflaged Nissan Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid prototype has been spotted testing on public roads in southern Sydney, providing the strongest indication yet that the PHEV workhorse is locked in for Australia to combat the influx of Chinese electrified dual-cabs.
The vehicle was photographed parked in a Kirrawee driveway bearing New South Wales registration plates, with the images subsequently shared to the ‘Electric Vehicles for Australia’ Facebook group by user Matthew Vasilescu. The prototype is said to be part of an ongoing local evaluation programme that commenced when the first test mules arrived in Melbourne in June.
Despite wearing a Nissan badge, the Frontier Pro is not a Navara derivative. It is built on the Z9 platform developed by Dongfeng – Nissan’s joint-venture partner in China – and serves as the brand’s first global plug-in hybrid model. Its arrival is perfectly timed to challenge the disruptive BYD Shark 6 and the impending JAC Hunter PHEV, addressing a surging local demand for hybrid dual-cabs that balance commercial capability with heavily reduced running costs.
Under the bonnet, the Frontier Pro pairs a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine with a transmission-mounted electric motor. Nissan has previously quoted a combined system output of 300kW and 800Nm, though final specs for the Australian market are yet to be confirmed. Either way, it’ll represent a massive power leap over the current diesel Navara.
A 33kWh battery pack provides a claimed electric-only driving range of up to 135km on the CLTC testing cycle (likely less for the WLTP cycle), alongside a combined fuel consumption figure of 6.9L/100km.
Crucially for local trades and recreational buyers, the vehicle is set to offer a 3500kg braked towing capacity and a 700mm wading depth. The off-road hardware is rounded out by an electromechanical rear differential lock, while a 6kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) system allows users to run heavy appliances or power tools directly from the tub.
Nissan executives have previously stated that the local testing programme is designed to ensure the vehicle meets Australia’s notoriously severe towing and off-road requirements. This evaluation is understood to include rigorous calibration of the advanced driver-assistance systems and bespoke local suspension tuning.
While Nissan Australia is yet to officially confirm exact timing or final specifications, the testing programme strongly points toward a local launch some time in 2027.
