Nissan bears down on lineup overhaul

Nissan is wrapping up a product overhaul in the U.S. as the Japanese automaker works to revive slumping sales in its second-largest market.

The product renaissance, delivering 10 new or updated models in about 20 months, has been executed against the backdrop of a pandemic and global microprocessor shortage.

So far this year, Nissan has updated key models — the Armada SUV and Kicks and Pathfinder crossovers. In early September, Nissan will introduce a redesigned Frontier — the midsize pickup's first major overhaul in 17 years.

The global debut of Nissan's second electric model, the Ariya crossover, is delayed about half a year, until the first half of 2022, because of industrywide supply chain complications.

Versa: Nissan's entry-level subcompact was redesigned for the 2020 model year. It is powered by a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine with 122 hp, up from 109 hp. A freshen is expected in the second half of 2023. But as demand for small sedans declines, the Versa may not continue in the U.S. beyond its current life cycle.

Sentra: The compact sedan was redesigned last year. The 2020 Sentra is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 149 hp, up 20 percent from the previous generation's 1.8-liter engine. The redesigned model introduces a new independent rear suspension, which Nissan said improves ride, handling and fuel economy. A freshen is expected in early 2023.

A performance version of the Sentra with a 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder engine could be in the plans.

Altima: Redesigned in 2019, the midsize sedan is due for freshening in 2023. The sedan's next generation could arrive with an electrified variant in 2026.

Maxima: The flagship sedan was expected to be replaced with an electric vehicle inspired by the IMs "elevated sports sedan" concept in 2023. But that plan could now be on hold, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Z: The iconic sports car is receiving a makeover early next year — its first redesign since 2009. The car is expected to be powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6, similar to the engine used in the Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400.

The design features retro styling elements that hark back to previous-generation Zs' signature silhouette — a long hood, pointy nose and short, sloping rear deck — and incorporate the original hood bulges from 1970s editions. Some 21st-century touches include LED headlamps and a 12.3-inch digital meter display. The redesigned Z will debut at the New York auto show this month.

GT-R: The halo sports car could receive a redesign in the first half of 2024, possibly with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. But media reports suggest Nissan might stick with a gasoline turbo engine-only powertrain.

Robust electrification of the iconic model is unlikely. Adding a lithium ion battery would weigh down the GT-R, affecting performance and adding cost, Nissan Motor Co. product planning chief Ivan Espinosa told Automotive News last year.

The current-generation GT-R sports car is one of the oldest models in Nissan's portfolio. It entered production in December 2007 but has received periodic updates, such as new carbon brakes. It is powered by a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V-6 that delivers 565 hp.

A 600-hp GTR Nismo Special Edition is scheduled to arrive this fall. Among the upgrades will be a clear-coated carbon-fiber hood to cut weight and deliver a racy look.

Leaf: Nissan's only EV should receive a redesign in 2024. The next version likely will be more crossover-like in body style and be built on the same CMF-EV platform as the upcoming Ariya.

Kicks: Nissan's fourth-best seller, which went on sale in the U.S. in 2018, received a freshen this year that delivered sporty design tweaks, a restyled interior and technology upgrades.

The U.S. version of the Kicks did not get Nissan's e-Power hybrid system offered in the Kicks sold in Thailand and Japan. But the next redesigned Kicks, expected in 2024, could receive Nissan's e-Power serial-hybrid technology and all-wheel drive.

Rogue: Nissan's bestseller was redesigned last October, getting more cabin space in a similar footprint. It features a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine that delivers 181 hp, an increase of 11 hp, as well as updated suspension and steering to improve driving performance and reduce cabin noise.

The Rogue also introduced a more-capable driver-assist system that uses new radar and camera technology to deliver smoother braking, better steering assist and improved safety.

This year, the Rogue should receive a new, more powerful engine. The 1.5-liter three- cylinder turbo engine should increase horsepower by more than 10 percent and be more fuel efficient.

An off-road variant could be in the works for 2023, and a heavy freshen will arrive in 2024, when the Rogue could get the ePower serial-hybrid technology.

For the Rogue Sport variant, Nissan last year updated the interior and added standard safety and driver-assist technology. But going forward, the Sport — which came to market in 2017 from a different global platform with a different engine — could be dropped. The model is getting lost between the Rogue and Kicks, dealer sources said.

Murano: The midsize crossover got a face-lift for the 2019 model year, but the Murano — powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 engine — is aging. The scheduled 2023 redesign may be delayed by up to a year, according to supply chain sources. The next-gen Murano will ride on a revised version of Nissan's D platform and could be powered by a turbo four-cylinder engine.

Pathfinder: The midsize crossover was redesigned this summer. The Pathfinder carries over the previous generation's 3.5-liter V-6 engine but ditches Nissan's finicky continuously variable transmission in favor of a ZF-supplied nine-speed automatic transmission that delivers greater torque from a standing start and more-capable towing performance.

The redesigned crossover blends convenience and utility. It dials up interior space and includes conveniences such as easier access to the third row and wireless charging. Nissan has beefed up the light truck's ruggedness with more SUV styling to appeal to weekend warriors.

The 2022 model sports a Nissan V-motion grille that incorporates a hood design with three slots — a touch borrowed from the original Pathfinder.

An off-road variant could be in the works for 2023. A freshen could come in 2025.

Armada: The large SUV was freshened in January. The Armada, built on Nissan's global Patrol platform, gets a rugged exterior that underscores the SUV's off-road DNA, and a contemporary interior delivers modern conveniences and safety tech.

The exterior got more chiseled styling with a new grille, headlights, bumpers and fenders.

The rear received a redesigned hatch door and updated LED taillights, while inside, the dashboard is now anchored by a 12.3-inch horizontal display screen.

The 2021 Armada is powered by a 5.6-liter V-8 engine that was tweaked to deliver 400 hp. Expect a redesign in the second half of 2024.

Ariya: The new Rogue-sized Ariya electric crossover will arrive in the first half of 2022, later than planned, built on new architecture and offering up to 300 miles of driving range. The exterior is highlighted by prominent front fenders, rear fender flares, super-slim LED headlights and a steeply raked C-pillar.

The crossover ditches the conventional grille for what Nissan describes as a "shield," which, in driving mode, is illuminated to reveal Nissan's V-motion design signature.

The crossover also will debut new technologies, including a twin electric motor, an awd system and the next generation of Nissan's hands-off automated driving system.

Frontier: The next-gen Frontier will arrive in dealerships early next month. Nissan's midsize pickup receives its first major redesign since 2004 and features a 3.8-liter direct-injection V-6 engine that delivers 310 hp and a new nine-speed automatic transmission. A freshen should come in 2025.

Titan: The full-size pickup jettisoned its diesel variant and was freshened last year. The 2020 Nissan Titan received new safety features and technology along with an improved powertrain. Under the hood, the model has a tweaked 5.6-liter V-8 engine that delivers 400 hp.

But the long-term future of the nameplate is in question. In the first half of the year, the Titan captured just 1.5 percent share of the Detroit 3-dominated full-size pickup segment.

NV commercial vans: In June, Nissan discontinued production of its NV cargo and passenger vans at its plants in Canton, Miss., and Cuernavaca, Mexico.

The decision to end production was about prioritizing resources and focusing on the brand's core sedans and crossovers, the company said last year. Sales of the vans will end this year.