Nissan Debuts Exciting Frontier, Kicks Concepts at SEMA

At auto shows, manufacturers show consumers what they build. At SEMA, they show what consumers want them to build. At least that was the case for Nissan this past November when it unleashed four builds of two of its models at the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show held at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Nissan focused its creativity on the recently redesigned Frontier pickup and the all-new redesigned Kicks sub-compact crossover. Dick Smith Nissan of Columbia shows you what the manufacturer brought. 

Project Trailgater 

Instead of making its home in a sports stadium parking lot, this off-roader brings the tailgate party and game-watching to the great outdoors. The build starts with a 2025 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X and adds several NISMO Off Road accessories including a lift kit, high-performance suspension, bed rack, cargo cases, and off-road lighting, all riding on 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels. From there, Nissan adds everything you might need for camping and tailgating outdoors and then some, including two 43-inch weatherproof TVs and a soundbar mounted on an overlanding rack.   

For the ever-important snacks, the build includes a refrigerator, propane grill and yes, a kitchen sink. Above the truck is a fold-out solar panel connected to a lithium battery pack to power the fridge and TVs, while a Starlink connection brings the game streaming down from the sky.   

Frontier TARMAC  

Turning a full 180-degrees from the stationary off-road Tailgater, this truck is all about being on-pavement and on-the-move. Designed in collaboration with Nissan Motorsports, Nissan Design America, and Forsberg Racing, the Frontier’s standard 3.8-liter V6 is treated to a roots-style supercharger, prototype NISMO cold air intake, and a custom NISMO exhaust system, bringing 440 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels.   

Again, in direct contrast to the Tailgater, this truck is slammed to the ground with a custom version of the NISMO high-performance Frontier street suspension, featuring a fully adjustable coil-over suspension in front, a flip kit raising the rear axle above the leaf springs, and C-notch in the rear. 

This build gets immediate attention with its combination of black carbon fiber and Afterburn Orange paint, four-inch widebody kit, hood scoop, and CF spoiler and aero trim pieces. It rides on 20-inch NISMO wheels with 315/35 Yokohama Advan tires. Inside, you will find orange-matching Recaro seats, a carbon fiber steering wheel, and a custom gold-anodized handbrake.  

Kicks Beach Patrol 

Nissan’s Kicks concepts feature similar on- and-off pavement themes. Capitalizing on the all-wheel-drive system available on the Kicks for the first time, the Beach Patrol is inspired by beach rescue vehicles. The Kicks Beach Patrol packs everything needed for such a mission into its small footprint. It starts with a lift kit (that provides an extra two inches of ground clearance) and 235/60R18 Yokohama GEOLANDAR AT GO15 all-terrain tires on NISMO Off-Road Ascend wheels.   

A front skidplate with an integral front bumper guard, rock rails, and rocker sill protection protect the body. At the top is a NISMO roof rack with built-in six-inch scene lights and an emergency strobe light bar. A surf rescue board and traction boards are mounted on the rack. Painted in screaming yellow with beach patrol graphics, this concept would look at home on any sandy shore. 

Kicks Urban Shadow 

Like the TARMAC, the Kicks Urban Shadow is a pavement prowler, taking inspiration from tuner culture with graphics, wheels, and suspension modifications in the service of on-road excitement. Showing Kicks drivers what they can do, everything here comes from prototype NISMO parts. Highlights include 18-inch NISMO LM-RS6 wheels, custom coil-over suspension enabling a lowered ride height, and a NISMO cat-back exhaust system. 

Sadly, none of these will appear in the Dick Smith Nissan of Columbia inventory, but they do show possibilities for those inclined to modify their rides, much of which can be done using NISMO parts that can be ordered from our parts center.