Nissan unveiled two new vehicles at the 2014 Chicago Auto Show this week, the Frontier Desert Runner and the 2015 Nissan Versa Note SR.
Both vehicles were unveiled during a press conference held by Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Parts & Service, U.S.A, Nissan North America, Inc. Fred Diaz
"The Chicago Auto Show is America's oldest and largest show and Nissan always likes to bring something new and exciting," said Diaz, according to a company press release. "This year we're covering two ends of our product spectrum - a one-of-a-kind powerful turbo diesel-equipped Frontier mid-size pickup and a sporty new look for our popular Versa Note, the 2015 Versa Note SR. Both are great representatives of 'Innovation that excites.'"
The new Frontier Diesel Runner was based on the Frontier Desert Runner 4x2 vehicle and was created to "gauge the market reaction."
The Frontier comes just six months after the partnership between Nissan and Cummins Inc. was announced, according to the news release. Cummins will provide a 5.0-liter turbo diesel V8 for the next-gen Titan pickup, which will hit showrooms in 2015.
The new Versa Note SR is just one of two new trim vehicles being added to the Versa Note lineup, the other being the Versa Note SL.
Both new vehicles will go on sale during spring 2014 at Nissan dealers across the country, joining the likes of the Versa Note S, and SV.
The Frontier Diesel Runner comes with a standard 2.8-liter 4-cylinder diesel engine producing nearly 200 horsepower and 350 lb-ft. of torque. The automaker has also said customers can expect a fuel economy 35 percent "over" a V6-powered 2014 Frontier 4x2.
Exterior modifications include a "Arrest Me Red" and Matte Silver paint jobs, full-bed tonneau cover and tailgate spoiler.
The 16-inch wheels, which Frontier PRO-4X owners should be familiar with, come with a two-tone paint, Arrest Me Red for the rear wheels and silver in front, and accented by black paint.
The brake calipers have also been custom painted in contrasting colors - silver rear and red front.
The Versa Note SR was designed with a more "modern, sculpted look" with a number of exclusive features. Exterior features include a new fascia and grille, a dark headlight treatment and standard fog lights with black and chrome accents, according to the automaker.
Other exterior features includes side spoilers and new side mirrors and rear spoiler, 16-inch sport aluminum-alloy wheels with 195/55R16 tires.
Interior enhancements found inside the vehicle include a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a redesigned piano black center instrument panel, and a Fine Vision triple-dial gauge cluster, according to the news release.
Nissan equipped the vehicle with a standard 1.6-liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine with dual fuel injection and Twin CVTC mated to a standard Nissan Xtronic transmission.
The engine achieves 109 horsepower, and 107 lb.-ft. of torque. EPA fuel economy estimates for the front-wheel drive SR has been listed at 40 mpg highway, 31 mpg city and 35 mpg combined.
Pricing will be confirmed at a later date for both model.
The vehicles will be on display at the Chicago Auto Show from February 8 - 17.
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