Enhancements to the 2004 Frontier and Frontier Crew Cab include a new Supercharger Value Truck Package for the Frontier King Cab and two new exterior colors, Radiant Silver and Red Brawn. Also new for 2004 is the Body Color Package (body color fenders, front bumper and fascia) as standard equipment on Crew Cab XE. The grade level strategy has been simplified with the elimination of the SE grade. The Frontier is now offered in XE and SC grades only

?With the addition of the all-new Nissan Titan full-size pickup, Nissan now has a pair of powerful truck lineups for buyers to choose from in 2004,? said Mark McNabb, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. ?We haven?t backed off our commitment to the compact truck segment one bit, as evidenced by the continuing refinement to our dynamic Frontier King Cab and Frontier Crew Cab.?

Nissan?s history of truck innovations includes the first compact pickup in the U.S. (1959), the first half-ton compact pickup (1969), the first extended cab body with the King Cab (1977), the first import brand compact truck assembled in the U.S. (1983).

In 2000, the Frontier became the first compact truck sold in the U.S. with four full-size forward hinged doors, followed by the first factory-installed supercharger in a compact truck (2001) and the first crew cab compact truck with over six feet of bed (2002).

An Abundance of Power

The 2004 Frontier again offers a choice of three powerplants. The Frontier King Cab I4-4x2 XE is available with a standard DOHC 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder producing 143 horsepower and 154 lb-ft of torque. A 3.3-liter SOHC V6, rated at 180 horsepower and 202 lb-ft torque, is standard on all other Frontier King Cab and Frontier Crew Cab 4x2 and 4x4 models. All 2004 Frontiers are offered with a choice of standard 5-speed manual transmission or optional 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission.

For buyers seeking a higher level of performance, a factory-installed supercharged version of the 3.3-liter V6 is offered as standard equipment on the Frontier King Cab V6-4x4 SC model and Frontier Crew Cab V6-4x2 SC and V6-4x4 SC models. The supercharged engine produces 210 horsepower and 246 (A/T), 231 (M/T) lb-ft of torque. It uses a Roots-type blower developed in conjunction with Eaton Corporation and is warranted by Nissan.

In addition to the supercharged engine, supercharger-equipped models come with 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with P265/55R17 (4x2) or P265/65R17 (4x4) BF Goodrich Rugged Trail tires, specially tuned suspension with raised ground clearance for 4x4 models, knit or optional leather-appointed bucket seats with sports car-inspired red-on-charcoal stitching, 100-watt AM/FM/CD audio system and titanium-colored gauges.

Frontier King Cab V6-4x4 SC is available with a 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission, while Frontier Crew Cab V6-4x2 SC and V6-4x4 SC are offered with the 4-speed automatic transmission only. All Frontier supercharged models include a rear limited-slip differential.

Available on 2004 Frontier 4x4s are Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System and a Tire Pressure Monitor System. VDC is a system that helps controls brake pressure and engine torque automatically in understeer, oversteer or slippery road surface situations. Using steering sensors, g-sensors, wheel speed sensors, brake pressure sensors and more, VDC can control individual wheel brake pressure or rear wheel power to help improve vehicle stability in adverse driving conditions. The Tire Pressure Monitor System uses sensors to monitor all four tires. A warning light appears if any of the four tires falls below the recommended air pressure.

Distinctive Style, Choice of Body Configurations

The Frontier?s provocative exterior was created at Nissan Design America (NDA), in La Jolla, Calif., and offers a simple, tough, ?modern industrial? look with a powerful front grille and bumper, tall hoodline, oversized headlights and large fender flares featuring visible divot holes and rivet-type caps. Additional exterior features include round fog lights, substantial tailgate and standard tailgate lock.

Body style choices on the 2004 Frontier compact truck lineup include the Frontier King Cab, which offers front bucket seats, with seating for an additional passenger in a fold-down rear jump seat, and the Frontier Crew Cab, with four full-size doors and a spacious interior. Both King Cab and Crew Cab Frontiers are available in 4x2 and 4x4 models.

Frontier Crew Cab broke the mold of traditional compact trucks when it was introduced as a 2000 model, with innovative looks and utility ? with seating for five adults and the versatility of an open bed. All Frontier Crew Cabs, including 4x2 models, are built on the heavy-duty 4-wheel drive Frontier chassis.

The ?biggest? model in the Frontier lineup is the Frontier Crew Cab Long Bed, which adds a 74.6-inch full-size bed to the four forward-hinged full-size door cabin. The standard Frontier Crew Cab offers a 56.3-inch bed.

A Range of Models and Equipment

Every 2004 Frontier comes with a long list of standard features and equipment, including the most affordable Frontier, the King Cab I4-4x2 XE with 2.4-liter engine and 2-wheel drive. Other available Frontier King Cab models include the V6-4x2 XE, which is designated the Frontier Desert Runner and is powered by a 180-horsepower 3.3-liter SOHC V6. It features the same heavy-duty chassis, ride height and stance as the rugged Frontier 4x4. At roughly 500 pounds lighter than a 4x4 Frontier King Cab V6, Desert Runner offers the best power-to-weight ratio of any Frontier pickup. Special badging distinguishes Desert Runner from other Frontier models, as do fender flares, skid plates for the engine and fuel tank, a full-size spare and 4-channel/3-sensor/4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).

The King Cab Desert Runner is also available in 4-wheel drive, designated the King Cab V6-4x4 XE. The fourth available 2004 Frontier King Cab is the V6-4x4 SC, which includes the supercharged 3.3-liter V6 engine, which produces 210 horsepower and 246 (A/T), 231 (M/T) lb-ft of torque.

For 2004, the roomy Frontier Crew Cab is available in a choice of four models, each equipped with a standard 3.3-liter SOHC V6 engine. The interior of the Frontier Crew Cab combines the comfort and convenience of the Frontier King Cab with many qualities of a sedan or SUV, including provisions for the installation of a child safety seat in the rear passenger area.

The fully equipped Crew Cab XE model is offered in 4x2 and 4x4 versions and include features such as aluminum-alloy wheels, air conditioning, rear window defroster, locking tailgate and much more.

The Frontier Crew Cab V6-4x2 SC and V6-4x4 SC models add the supercharged engine, standard 4-speed automatic transmission, specially tuned suspension and unique interior fabric or available leather-appointed interior.

The Frontier King Cab also comes with a full array of option packages for 2004, including the Utility Package, Basic Gear Package, Value Truck Package (XE), Power & Comfort Package, Dynamic Control Package (4x4 A/T only), Deluxe Audio Package, Traction and Convenience Group and a Supercharger Value Edition.

The Frontier Crew Cab option packages include the Power Package, Sport Package, Premium Package (SC models), Deluxe Audio Package, Dynamic Control Package (4x4 A/T only), Traction and Convenience Group and a Supercharger Value Edition.

?Frontier allows compact truck buyers to create the vehicle of their choice, including various models, drivetrain configurations, engine and transmission options. We also offer a range of factory features usually reserved for aftermarket suppliers ? including available high-output sound systems, large wheels and tires, bed extenders, roof racks and the like,? added McNabb.