Nissan to reveal electrified model for NZ on Thursday, with Frontier Pro plug-in ute the likely pick

Nissan will announce an electrified addition to its New Zealand range on Thursday, 8 October, and the Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid ute looks the most likely candidate.

Nissan has not named the model. Its teaser promises “electrified performance and new levels of capability” in a key segment, and says the vehicle has been extensively tested and tuned for regional conditions.

That fits the Frontier Pro, which has been testing in Australia and has already been shown privately to Australian and New Zealand dealers. Nissan Oceania managing director Andrew Humberstone also hinted at an electrified ute for New Zealand in an interview in March.

A camouflaged prototype has been photographed on New South Wales plates in Kirrawee, in Sydney’s south, and test vehicles have also been seen in Victoria. The first known Australian prototype arrived in Melbourne in June.

The Frontier Pro was revealed at the Shanghai motor show in April 2025 as Nissan’s first global plug-in hybrid. It is not based on the Navara. It uses the Z9 platform developed by Dongfeng, Nissan’s joint-venture partner in China, and Nissan has said it wants more of its Chinese-partner models for New Zealand.

A 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine works with an electric motor built into the transmission. Nissan has quoted combined outputs of 300kW and 800Nm for Australia, though New Zealand specifications are not confirmed. A 33kWh battery gives a claimed 135km of electric driving on China’s CLTC cycle.

Previously quoted figures include 3500kg of braked towing, a 700mm wading depth and an electromechanical rear differential lock. Vehicle-to-load can supply up to 6kW to run tools, appliances or camping gear.

The regional development programme is understood to include calibrating the driver assistance systems, and local suspension tuning is possible.

Chinese-market versions have a 10-inch digital instrument display and a 14.6-inch touchscreen, with a panoramic roof and heated, ventilated and massaging front seats available. Whether those features will be fitted to a New Zealand model has not been confirmed.

Earlier testing and dealer previews pointed to a 2027 launch. Nissan’s teaser gives no pricing or timing, but says Thursday’s announcement will give the first details of the model’s arrival here.