Nissan is ready to bet big on the incoming Y63 Nissan Patrol, with the brand in Australia saying its Japanese HQ recognises how important the flagship SUV is globally, and that the investment in the new model reflects that.
It’s a shot across the bow of models like the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series – and even the Toyota LandCruiser Prado – with Nissan to bring its A-game to the party with the all-new Nissan Patrol.
And Australia’s demands are at the top of the priority list, with the popularity of the model booming in our market – impressive results that haven’t gone unnoticed in Japan.
“Our share of the global volume has increased as our volume has increased,” said Nissan Australia managing director, Adam Paterson. “If you look at our year-to-date volume of Patrol, we’ve more than doubled.
“In a year that we’re tight on supply, we’ve also doubled our Patrol volume. The region has realised how important this segment has become in Australia.”
And that means the Patrol won’t undergo any sort of softening, with Australia’s hardcore requirements at the top of the to-do list.
“We’re the only right-hand-drive major market, the investment to make this cars right-hand-drive was specifically done for Australia, and it’s not a small investment,” Mr Paterson said.
“What we’re advocating for is that the use case here is more rugged, and people are spending a lot of money after the fact, so when it comes to Patrol specifically, anything that’s done to the platform going forward can’t soften its capability.
“It needs to be as capable as it is today, if not more, because that’s what our customers want.
“The Patrol is one of the most important vehicles within Nissan from a profit standpoint. That means it gets the attention it deserves, when it comes to R and D, and budget.”
It’s exciting times for Nissan’s flagship SUV. While the V8 petrol engine is almost certainly not going to survive the changes, what’s a little less clear its exactly what will be powering the new model.
Reports point to a new twin-turbo V6 engine, which is expected to continue sipping petrol rather than diesel. The move would mirror that made by Toyota’s LC300, which ditched its own diesel V8 in favour of a 3.3-litre twin-turbo-diesel V6, which produces 227kW and 700Nm.
But that would be the safe option. Also on the table is the Nissan’s new e-Power with e-4ORCE 4WD powertrain, which the brand says represents the “pinnacle” of 4WD technology and could find its way into the new Patrol.
The e-Power system is Nissan’s hybrid technology, which is unique from conventional hybrids in that a petrol engine is used only to recharge the battery, with only the electric motor used to drive the wheels.
But what’s more relevant here is the e-4ORCE 4WD system, which Nissan says is a better solution than a conventional 4WD setup.
“Ultimately the technology is scaleable – e-Power as a concept is scalable,” said Adam Robertson, Deputy Director at the Nissan Technical Center Europe.
“There’s no reason at all why not. The torque response for electric motors is instant. 1/10000 of a second is incredibly quick. I always liken it back to being ten times faster than the stopwatch used in F1.
“And it means you’ve got a permanent 4WD system, so you apply torque wherever you want it at any time. It’s the pinnacle, and you can use that in other applications as well.
“I couldn’t comment on any future plans on any other models, but obviously this technology offers some very, very strong benefits.”
We do know the new model will have a hardcore Warrior variant baked in from launch giving Nissan a genuine rival to Toyota’s LC300 GR Sport — and one that’s been tuned and tweaked in Australia.
“Bringing it [Warrior] to market as soon as possible is the goal,” said Mr Paterson.
“There are challenges. You need the specification and tech of the vehicle to be able to work on the conversion of it — so would it be offered immediately upon a new vehicle release? That’s probably quite challenging, especially when it’s a local conversion.
“But is it something that we’re analysing before new models are brought to market, to do something locally with them? Absolutely.
“We want the Warrior as soon as possible.”
The new model is expected to arrive in 2024.
Keyword: Nissan bets big on Y63 Patrol! The battle with the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series is on