Nissan Celebrates Rugged Adventure at Chicago Auto Show

Nissan is bringing the thrill of rugged adventure to the 2024 Chicago Auto Show with two new vehicles—an off-road-ready version of Frontier and an Ariya electric crossover that traversed continents.

The Frontier will debut a limited-edition off-road desert racing package inspired by the modified Forsberg Racing truck that recently won the NORRA 500 race.

Bringing race-inspired style to Frontier Crew Cab models, the Nissan Frontier Forsberg Edition dealer-installed accessory package features NISMO Off Road parts including new 17-inch Axis beadlock wheels, rock sliders and a roof rack with integrated LED lighting.

Forsberg Racing decals and a Forsberg Racing Limited Edition badge complete the desert-racing look.

Backing up the truck’s appearance with enhanced capability is a NISMO Off Road lift kit and other supporting NISMO Off Road suspension parts, including forged upper control arms and high-performance shocks, Yokohama Geolandar X-AT tires (265/70/R17) and a NISMO cat-back exhaust.

The Forsberg Edition package will have a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP)1 of $9,999.

The limited-edition package follows a collaboration earlier this year between Nissan, Forsberg Racing and Chris Forsberg. Forsberg Racing developed a truck outfitted with NISMO Off Road parts for the rigors of the NORRA 500 off-road race.

Forsberg and Yokohama teammate Leticia Bufoni entered the 2023 race in the stock production class and took home first-place in the category.

“Our championship win at the NORRA 500 was a testament to the capabilities of the Nissan Frontier with NISMO Off Road parts and Yokohama Geolandar tires,” said Forsberg. “We took a stock truck outfitted with NISMO Off Road parts and drove it from the shop in Southern California to the event, raced across the Baja desert for 500 miles, and drove it back home to the shop without an issue. It’s thrilling to know that more drivers will be able to experience a taste of the rugged performance that propelled our success in the NORRA 500.”

The new-for-2024 Frontier SL grade will offer premium features like LED headlights and leather-appointed seating, while the PRO-X and PRO-4X are off-road-oriented and the new Hardbody Edition package brings a dose of 1980s-inspired nostalgia to the truck.

AN EV FIT FOR A CHICAGO WINTER

Further showcasing a commitment to tackling extreme terrain, Nissan’s booth in Chicago will also feature the auto show debut of the Ariya e-4ORCE that traveled from the North Pole to the South Pole.

Piloted more than 18,000 miles over 10 months by husband-and-wife adventurers Chris and Julie Ramsey, the all-electric expedition vehicle is the first vehicle–and EV–to travel from the North Pole to the South Pole.

The Ramseys set off from the 1823 Magnetic North Pole in March 2023, traversing North, Central and South America before reaching their destination in mid-December.

Modifications to the Ariya were intentionally minimal to showcase the ability of EVs to operate in extreme conditions, with no changes applied to the battery or powertrain. However, the fenders were widened in order to fit rugged 39-inch BF Goodrich tires for driving on snow and ice.

Other innovations for the trip included a portable, renewable power generator that combined a lightweight wind turbine and solar panels to help recharge the Ariya, taking advantage of the high winds and long daylight hours near the poles.

The 2024 Chicago Auto Show is set for Feb. 10-19 at McCormick Place.