UMC launches the Nissan Frontier Titanium 3

Faced with heavy artillery fire from its arch-enemies — the much-newer Toyota Hilux and Isuzu D-Max — what is Universal Motors Corporation (UMC) to do with its aging but otherwise solidly performing Frontier pickup? Give it some big guns, that’s what! Or at the very least, arm it with a flak jacket.

That’s pretty much the tactic that UMC is playing these days. Subscribing to the motto "the best offense is a good defense", the Nissan truck manufacturer and distributor is playing a defensive game, not by arming the Frontier with a killer engine or a big new body, but by adding more content to its veteran soldier thus giving it one of the best values for our ever dwindling money.

Dubbed the Titanium 3 or T3, the newest Frontier was designed with the outdoor enthusiast in mind. It has more exterior features, including the muscular body cladding along the sides for a more rugged look, new-designed chrome alloy wheels, exclusive Nissan original roof rack with a 55-pound capacity, and riveted-style fender flares for that intimidating wide-body look. Big foglamps and glaring headlamps give the T3 a menacing look while a pair of new r red taillamp clusters add a more contemporary feel to the rear. A sprayed-on liner protects the bed from scratches and rust and keeps the back looking good even with repeated cargo-carrying.

Inside, the T3 boasts new two-tone leather sets, a rear center armrest an all-new Clarion audio system with MP3 player. Other features that are standard in the Titanium include side step panel tubes, side mirror with LED signal lamps and a rain sensor that automatically activates the wipes.

The P930,000 T3 is powered by an 84-hp/176 Nm 2.7-liter diesel motor. Safety-wise, the T3 offers a driver-side airbag, side impact beams, front and rear seatbelts, a reinforced ladder type chassis and child safety lock. Overall safety engineering conforms the Nissan’s revolutionary Zone Body Concept where the passenger cabin is protected in a rigid safety zone while allowing crumple zones to disperse energy during collision. This truck is built for serious boulder bashing!