Nissan’s Patrol 4x4 wagon is set to follow in the wheel tracks of the brand’s Navara 4x4 ute by adopting a range of enhancements from Melbourne automotive engineering firm Premcar, which will see it badged the Nissan Patrol Warrior.   

Confirmation of the Patrol Warrior follows Premcar’s successful Navara PRO-4X Warrior program and will see the company follow a similar approach by adding a range of off-road oriented enhancements to the burly wagon. 

Full details of these enhancements have not yet been released but what we do know is that wheel, tyre and suspension upgrades will feature, aimed at giving the Patrol Warrior more ground clearance, a wider stance and enhanced ride and handling.

However, as with the Navara PRO-4X Warrior there will be no engine or drivetrain changes, with the Patrol Warrior boasting the same silky smooth and torque-infused 5.6-litre direct-injection V8 engine as other Y62 Patrol models, meaning outputs of 298kW/560 Nm.

The Patrol Warrior program is expected to take around 12 months to complete with production due to commence late next year at Premcar’s Victorian manufacturing facility. The company has built more than 3500 examples of the Navara Warrior series since 2019, beginning with the original Navara N-TREK Warrior. 

Premcar also recently announced an extension to the Navara Warrior program with the addition of the Navara SL Warrior by Premcar, designed as a lower priced alternative to the $67,490 Navara PRO-4X Warrior. 

The Patrol will become the latest Nissan nameplate to join the Nissan-specific OEM-level new-vehicle enhancement program, which involves creating market-specific versions of new Nissan vehicles using Premcar’s extensive automotive design and engineering development expertise. 

“The Y62-series Patrol is already a mighty vehicle and the engineering and enhancement program we have planned together will raise its impressive capabilities even further," Engineering Director and Partner at Premcar Bernie Quinn said.

"It will also deliver another locally developed vehicle perfectly suited to Australian customers and conditions."

Now in its ninth model year the Patrol has enjoyed something of a sales renaissance in recent times, thanks in part to the long delays facing buyers of its key rival, the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series. Its year-to-date sales of 4020 units is up almost 80% on 2021 sales.

Nissan Australia will no doubt be hoping that Premcar’s Warrior enhancements will help carry it through to the arrival of the new Y63 Patrol, reportedly in 2024.