Nissan readies potent petrol Patrol

In the book of heavyweight feuds, there’s Ali versus Frazier, Holyfield versus Bowe, Fury versus Wilder, and Patrol versus LandCruiser.

The simmering rivalry between the Japanese 4x4s has played out for over 75 years and is about to take a new twist with the impeding launch of Nissan’s seventh-generation Y63 Patrol.

While Toyota has long-held the upper hand in this battle, and continues to do so with the current LandCruiser 300 Series, Nissan has never given up the fight and continues to land blows even as its ageing Y62 Series Patrol approaches retirement.

Year-to-date sales of 3,352 Patrols versus 7,850 examples of the much younger 300 Series show how enduringly popular the petrol V8-powered Nissan 4x4 is with Australian consumers, particularly when you consider the Y62 was first launched here in early 2013.

A thirteen-year product run is almost double the lifecycle of a passenger car and explains why Nissan’s army of passionate 4x4 enthusiasts are champing at the bit to get their hands on the new Y63 model.

Australians have had to endure a long wait for this new Patrol which was first revealed in Abu Dhabi in September 2024 and has been available in the Middle East and the USA since late 2024.

Twin-turbo V6 brings more punch

When the first showroom deliveries begin in Q1 2027 Patrol fans will notice the new model is lacking a couple of cylinders, with a new 3.5-litre petrol V6 taking the place of the outgoing Y62’s esteemed 5.6-litre petrol V8.

It’s not just any petrol V6, however, with the twin turbocharged unit tracing its origins to the mighty Nissan GT-R sports car and summoning headline numbers of 317kW/700Nm.

Anyone looking to argue the benefits of V8 versus turbo-V6 power should also note that the latter delivers a handy 19kW more power and 140Nm more torque than the outgoing V8 (298kW/560Nm), and with a full 2.0 litres less cubic capacity.

Perhaps more importantly, given the aforementioned rivalry, it’s 90kW more powerful than the LandCruiser 300 Series’ 3.3-litre twin-turbo diesel V6, while matching it for torque (albeit, with what will presumably be a vastly different torque curve).

But like a wily pugilist skilled at predicting where the next punch will come from, Toyota has already countered the Patrol’s performance threat with its recently released 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 ‘performance hybrid’ which musters a barrel-chested 341kW/790Nm in Sahara ZX and GR Sport variants.

Refinement and capability in equal measure

Nissan isn’t putting all its eggs in the performance basket, however, promising that it’s new wagon will also be the quietest, most luxurious and most technically advanced Patrol yet, while retaining all the rugged off-road ability and heavy-duty towing capability the marque is renowned for.

The new twin-turbo V6 engine is mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission and a full-time all-wheel drive system, paired with a two-speed transfer case and a locking rear differential.

A button-operated E-shifter provides gear selection, or drivers can opt to use steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

The drivetrain includes six selectable modes incorporating Standard, Sand, Rock, Mud, Eco and Sport, and there’s a new 4WD transfer mode interlock system that allows the driver to switch between modes while driving over different terrain.

Importantly, given how sensitive Australians have become to fuel prices following the war in the Middle East, the new Patrol is expected to deliver almost 24% better fuel efficiency than the V8’s 14.4L/100km combined cycle figure, meaning it should be good for a more acceptable 10.9L/100km.

Advanced suspension and off-road technology

The Y63 is built on a new frame that boasts greater torsional rigidity for decreased vehicle vibration, with adaptive air suspension and new e-damper technology to be offered on select grades.

The suspension automatically adjusts damper settings according to driving conditions to help ensure plush on road ride comfort and enhanced all-terrain capability.

It also allows for several levels of adjustable ride height, including an access mode that drops the standard ride height by 70mm, a low-set aerodynamic mode for more efficient highway driving, and a high-set off-road mode that raises the suspension by 140mm.

While it hasn’t been officially confirmed by Nissan, industry observers have speculated that lower grade variants will be offered with more conventional steel spring suspension, while retaining the intelligent adaptive damper feature.

Luxury-focused cabin raises the bar

Top-end variants are likely to match the specification seen on overseas models with features like quilted leather seats with massage function, and “NASA-inspired spinal support technology.”

Centrepiece of the interior is a striking 28.6-inch horizontal display, comprising twin 14.3-inch displays providing a comprehensive view of navigation, entertainment, and vehicle information.

The main touchscreen incorporates an ‘Ultra-Wide View’ function which expands the field of vision to 170 degrees, and an ‘Invisible Hood View’ which uses a camera to provide a clear view of the area directly beneath the vehicle. That’s on top of additional visibility aids including a 3D Around View Monitor, a Smart Rear View Mirror and a specific Rear Zoom View.

Biometric Cooling is another notable feature on top-spec variants, using infrared sensors to detect the body temperature of front and second-row passengers and automatically adjust airflow accordingly.

Other luxury touches on top-grade variants are expected to include 64-colour ambient lighting, head-up display and a 12-speaker Klipsch premium audio system.

There will also be a panoramic sunroof option and dual 12.8-inch screens for rear-seat passengers.

Overseas model shown.

Bigger dimensions and greater practicality

Dimensionally, the new Patrol is 35mm longer and slightly wider than the current model, measuring 5,205mm long, 2,030mm wide and 1,955mm tall, riding on a 3,075mm wheelbase. This compares with the LandCruiser 300 Series which is 4,890mm long, 1,980mm wide, and 1,950mm tall, while riding on a 2,850mm wheelbase.

Nissan claims the generously proportioned interior offers class-leading roominess, particularly in the second and third rows, with the latter featuring a power fold function operated via the main touchscreen.

There’s also a claimed 30% more cargo space than the outgoing model, and an extra 9.0-litres of storage across the glove and console box.

Safety, connectivity and pricing outlook

On the safety front, the Patrol is expected to come equipped with seven airbags including a new driver’s knee airbags, plus a range of advanced chassis systems and electronic aids, including
Vehicle Dynamic Control, Traction Control and Tyre Pressure Monitoring. Also included will be Nissan’s ProPILOT adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance technology.

Other likely hi-tech inclusions are Nissan Connect 2.0 which integrates navigation, security, and entertainment into a single technology platform, and Google built-in which is designed to reduce dependence on mobile phones for features like navigation and entertainment.

There’s also an app that allows drivers to remotely start the engine, adjust climate control settings, and lock or unlock doors, as well as monitoring vehicle status and sending security and maintenance-related alerts.

Nissan Australia is keeping its powder dry until closer to launch on details including model variants and pricing, but it’s safe to say the Y63 will be more expensive than the current lineup which incorporates Ti, Ti-L and Warrior variants priced between $96,540 and $111,600 (MRLP).