The Frontier nameplate first appeared in 1998 as a basic two-door compact-class pickup powered only by a four-cylinder engine, but it has acquired features, doors, cabin variations and engine options with each succeeding year. Restyling in 2001 produced the tough look of a tall chin-forward face with fat-lip bumper, huge clear-lens lamps on corners and flanks with flared fenders dimpled by divots and rivet-like caps. In 2002 Frontier evolved further through the creation of Crew Cab Long Bed and the deletion of a two-door Regular Cab from the line. Replacing Frontier's Regular Cab, the King Cab XE 2WD became the base edition and stocked the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Many variations followed, including the Desert Runner 2WD in King Cab design with Nissan's 3.3-liter V6 engine, and trim choices of XE, deluxe SE and the S/C package with a supercharged V6 and 17-inch aluminum wheels plus performance tires. Frontier's King Cab also supports rugged 4WD editions in the same trims. Further, the four-door Crew Cab Frontier for 2WD and 4WD traction modes supports choices for box lengths -- either the regular bed at 56.3 inches or a Long Bed. The longer version, a flat rectangular box, stretches for more than six feet and spreads wide to five feet. In the 2003 lineup, Frontier gets yet another variation, and it's revolutionary: First-ever power-operated retractable top for a compact truck in an edition named, appropriately, Open Sky. The sliding roof, optional on Frontier Crew Cab models, is huge at almost five square feet. Another new Frontier uses the supercharger and a manual transmission under the badge of 4WD King Cab Supercharger Value Edition. Other changes to the 2003 series include a ten-point power boost for the naturally-aspirated V6, which moves up to 180 hp.
