Nissan takes the fight to Land Cruiser 300 with bold new Patrol SUV
With the all-new, seventh-generation Patrol, revealed in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, Nissan is gearing up for a monumental brawl with Toyota’s Land Cruiser 300.
However that fight might play out over the deserts of the Middle East and various landscapes across the globe, Patrol drivers will certainly experience it in the lap of luxury, thanks to a feature-packed, high-tech cabin.
The Nissan Patrol also debuts a new 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 engine, offering up 317kW and 700Nm, which Nissan says is more efficient than the V8 it replaces. The new six pot pairs with a nine-speed automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive system.
The company will also offer a 3.8-litre normally aspirated V6 with 236kW, but sadly there’s no mention of a diesel engine ever becoming available.
Air suspension is standard in the new Patrol, and drivers can switch between six distinct drive modes seamlessly, thanks to a new 4WD transfer mode interlock system.
The cabin, as mentioned, is packed with luxurious features.
These include quilted leather seats, a 12-speaker Klipsch Premium Audio system, 64-colour ambient lighting and an innovative Biometric Cooling system that adjusts the temperatures for the first two seating rows based on the body temperatures of occupants as detected by infrared sensors.
The cockpit features twin 14.3-inch displays, with an integrated Google operating system, while optional dual 12.8-inch screens are available to keep rear seat passengers entertained, complete with Miracast, HDMI or USB inputs.
Driver assist technologies include 3D Around View Monitor and Panorama View, the latter expanding the frontward field of vision to 170 degrees with its ‘Invisible Hood (bonnet) View’ and ‘Ultra Wide View’ systems that aim to maximise vision during off-road excursions.
As before, the Patrol has three seating rows and luggage space is said to have improved by up to 30%.
“The all-new Patrol is a prime example of the exciting and empowering models we are delivering under our global business plan, The Arc,” said Nissan Global CEO Makoto Uchida.
“The seventh generation is a bold leap forward, blending unparalleled performance, cutting-edge technology and a commanding presence to redefine what an SUV can be.”
IOL Motoring