Nissan Frontier concepts debut at Chicago Auto Show

Nissan's U.S. design house, Nissan Design America Inc. in San Diego, is showcasing three concept trucks based on the 2022 Frontier Crew Cab midsize pickup at this year's Chicago Auto Show.

The automaker said the three concepts, called Project 72X, Project Hardbody and Project Adventure, address "three different midsize truck audiences and start with three different Frontier grade levels — S, SV and Pro-4X."

"Truck culture is now very broad — hard core off-roaders, overlanders, surfers and kayakers, environmentalists, fishing and hunting outdoor enthusiasts and more," Hiren Patel, project lead designer at Nissan Design America, said in a statement. "The common ground is that they all use their trucks as canvases for personalization. We're offering three styles to show how they could modify their own new Frontier."

The three concepts use available Nissan and aftermarket parts and accessories.

Project 72X, based on the Frontier Crew Cab S 4x4 trim, is a modern take on one of Nissan's most popular trucks, the Datsun 720. Introduced in 1979, the 720 eventually became the first vehicle Nissan assembled in the U.S.

For the 2022 interpretation, Nissan Design America used gray exterior tones and graphics and white-painted steel wheels with Pro-4X tires. Other key modifications include a 2.5-inch lift kit and a sport bar behind the cab.

The SV-based Project Hardbody concept pays homage to the Nissan D21 Hardbody, the first truck from Nissan Design America. The concept features a 3-inch lift kit, overfenders from the Pro-4X model, Hardbody block-style wheels with 33-inch tires, a sport bar with LED lights, a blacked-out front end and door graphics.

Project Adventure is based on the Pro-4X trim and is the design studio's take on the popular overlanding trend. Modifications include a 5-inch lift kit, 34-inch mud terrain tires, a Yakima bed rack system and roof basket.

Nissan said a key feature of the Project Adventure concept is the custom body wrap depicting a map of the U.S. Nissan said it makes the statement, "This is a big country; why don't you take your Frontier somewhere?"