Nissan has reimagined its Frontier mid-size pickup as a high-performance street truck with the introduction of the Frontier Tarmac concept, showcased at this year’s SEMA show. Departing from the Frontier’s usual focus on utility and durability, this version prioritizes style and drifting capabilities. Lowered and packed with power-focused enhancements, the Tarmac concept highlights Nissan’s exploration of how a traditional pickup can be transformed into a sleek, street-ready performance vehicle.
The concept was developed through a collaboration with Forsberg Racing, led by Formula Drift icon Chris Forsberg. Nissan and Forsberg’s team took about six months to complete this custom build, basing it on the 2025 Frontier PRO-4X. Working with experts in the drifting world allowed Nissan to integrate authentic performance features and create a vehicle that showcases the potential of the Frontier platform when optimized for motorsport performance.
Powering the Tarmac concept is the Frontier’s standard 3.8-liter V-6 engine, but with extensive modifications to boost performance. Nissan and Forsberg Racing added a water-cooled supercharger, a prototype NISMO carbon-fiber cold air intake, and a custom cat-back exhaust system. These upgrades add 130 horsepower and 119 pound-feet of torque, bringing the total output to 440 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. This power is channeled exclusively to the rear wheels, a configuration tailored to drifting and performance driving.
Beyond raw horsepower, Nissan also focused on enhancing the truck’s braking and tire systems to support drifting maneuvers. The Tarmac concept features large 15-inch floating two-piece rotors and shares the same brake calipers as the Z NISMO, with a dual-caliper setup on the rear wheels. One caliper is used for regular braking, while the other is connected to a custom hydraulic handbrake specifically designed for drifting control. The truck also rides on Yokohama Advan V107 tires, sized for both front and rear balance and grip at high speeds.
Aesthetically, the Tarmac concept is heavily customized with carbon-fiber accents on the hood, fenders, roof cap, and tonneau cover, lending it a distinct and aggressive look. The interior complements this style, featuring a carbon-fiber-trimmed steering wheel and retro-patterned Recaro seats. The truck’s stance is lowered thanks to a custom NISMO suspension setup with adjustable coil-overs and remote reservoirs, designed to allow drivers to adjust the ride height and handling to suit drifting demands. Through these bold design and performance choices, Nissan showcases a unique vision for the Frontier as a dynamic, street-focused powerhouse.