As expected, Nissan will unveil the all-new Patrol SUV at the Australian International Motor Show (Sydney).
The massive eight-seater is a massive leap for Nissan as Patrol goes hunting in the super-luxury segment. “What if you could take a luxury five-star hotel off-road?” is the advertising line and Nissan chief Bill Peffer repeatedly referred to “luxury European SUVs” in his presentation to the media.
Nissan will launch the all-new Y62 Patrol in February, in three model grades priced from $82,200. All are powered by a 5.8-litre V8 petrol engine (the current Y61 model continues in diesel) driving through a new seven-speed automatic transmission and new ALL-MODE 4X4 system and all of that means a massive 3.5-tonne towing capacity.
Many will be pleased to hear the all-new Nissan Patrol maintains its predecessors’ separate frame chassis configuration (but with longer chassis rails and stiffer mounts). You can’t compromise off-road toughness if you’re wearing a Patrol badge.
The all-new petrol V8-powered Patrol is the most luxurious and technically-advanced Nissan vehicle launched in Australia and this massive re-direction for the iconic off-roader reflects its status as a vehicle primarily specified for the middle-east market (you’ll see a lot more on and off-road in Abu Dhabi and Dubai than you will in Adelaide or Darwin).
In terms of size, think Airbus A30 versus Boeing 747 – the all-new Patrol is significantly larger than its predecessor except in turning circle which, impressively, is still 12.5-metres (same as the current model). Length is up by 190mm to 5140mm, width is up by 25mm to 1995mm, height is up by 35mm to 1940mm and the wheelbase grows by 225mm to 3075mm.
And despite its substantial performance, the 298kW/560Nm 5.6-litre direct injection quad-cam V8 engine, averaging 14.5l/100kms is actually more fuel-efficient than the outgoing six-cylinder (17.2l/100kms). With its 140-litre fuel tank, the all-new Nissan Patrol V8 will be good for a range of around 1400kms between refills.
Drive is via Nissan’s latest ALL-MODE 4X4 system which can deliver up to 50 per-cent of torque to the front wheels). Unlike previous Patrols there is no mechanical centre differential – drive transmitted to the front via an electronically-controlled multi-plate clutch. Operation is via a rotary dial (reminiscent of Range Rover and Jeep Grand Cherokee) located behind the gear lever (no 4WD lever on this Patrol) – you select from four modes (on-road, snow, sand or rocks).
Suspension is a four-wheel independent design with front and rear double wishbones. For those contemplating going off-road, all-new Nissan Patrol delivers an approach angle of 34.1 degrees, a departure angle of 25.9 degrees and a ramp angle of 24.1 degrees.
You could fill a telephone book with the technology of the all-new Nissan Patrol. One highlight Nissan is claiming is a world first is ‘Hydraulic Body Motion Control’ (HBMC) which is standard on Ti and Ti-L models. A development from the World Rally Championship, HBMC replaces shock absorbers and anti-roll bars with a hydraulic system – meaning better articulation off-road and significantly less body roll on-road.
Also on the technology front – around-view monitor, intelligent cruise control, forward collision warning, blind spot warning lane departure warning and tyre pressure monitoring.
The all-new Nissan Patrol makes a radical departure in the looks department too. Yes it’s large, but the curved D-pillar and darkened A, B and C-pillars soften things and start the luxury story.
There’s also curved wheel-arches and Patrol fans will instantly spot the one-piece tailgate (power operated in Ti-L)
We sampled the Ti-L version at Nissan’s static motor show preview and by any measure it’s big and luxurious – a breakthrough vehicle for Nissan which exudes quality and style which maybe could have been badged as a an Infiniti with its high-grade leather, chrome accents and beautiful wood. Second and third row passengers (all six of them) will enjoy substantial leg and hip-room plus multi-screen DVD entertainment.
There’s also a 6.0-litre cooler box in the centre console which can hold six 600mm drink bottles and a13-speaker Bose audio system.
Cargo volume (second and third rows folded) is 3170-litres, with the third row folded 1490mm and with all three rows in use 550-litres.
The all-new Nissan Patrol range shapes-up like this:
ST-L $82,200
Ti $92,850
Ti-L $113,900
