Introduction
Since 1951, the Nissan Patrol has been synonymous with extreme off-road capability and durability. It has remained peerless over the years and now offers premium comfort and enhanced features to the discerning Bundu basher.
The new Nissan Patrol is that rare vehicle that’s impressive on paper and on any road. It’s the epitome of progressive Nissan Intelligent Mobility Technology, supreme performance and unrivalled luxury.
The Patrol is Nissan’s premium flagship model aimed at people with a distinctly affluent taste. It’s for the sophisticated buyer who requires an SUV that’s big on features, big on opulence, big on style and big on exclusivity. Question is, will it outclass its arch-rival, the Toyota Land Cruiser VX?
Design Language
Designed for full-sized family adventures, the Nissan Patrol maintains its 7-passenger utility and has an impressive array of high-tech standard features. As a flagship model, the Patrol’s power, premium comfort specification and sophisticated Nissan Intelligent Mobility features are far superior to its direct competitors.
The exterior appearance is both powerful and refined. The redesigned body features an aggressive stance with a bold V-motion front grille and Xenon headlights. The previous generation’s rugged, athletic image is maintained, but with added contemporary style. The front includes functional air intake vents and the electronic tailgate includes an auto-close feature.
Inside, the new Patrol combines spaciousness and premium comfort with a special emphasis on silence. The plush interior offers limousine-like space in the 2nd and 3rd row of seats with class-leading knee-room.
Goodies
Among the long list of standard features are climate-controlled front seats, heated steering wheel, premium leather seating and a Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control system (with microfilter). It also includes 2nd-row “curtain” vents to effectively distribute cool air to every seat.
The standard seating configuration includes front 8-way power-adjustable bucket seats with a large centre console. A 2nd row folds flat 60/40 split bench seat and 3rd row 60/40-split folding bench seat, which folds flat into the floor for extra cargo carrying flexibility.
The exclusive Bose® audio system features AM/FM/MP3/CD with 13 speakers, a subwoofer and digital amplifier to provide rich acoustics. The Patrol comes standard with the 3D Nissan Navigation System and a multi-screen DVD entertainment system with screens fitted into the headrests of both front seats.
The Power
The Patrol is powered by a robust, high-tech 5.6-litre V8 petrol engine that develops 298kW of power and 560Nm of torque.
This energetic powerhouse is mated to a silky smooth 7-speed automatic gearbox that uses variable valve technology to deliver seamless performance whenever it’s needed. It can trundle along quite happily in gridlocked traffic and when the opportunity presents itself, the Patrol will produce a prodigious amount of energy to power its 3.5 tons in a short amount of time.
The Patrol has what it takes to support your larger-than-life adventures with an impressive towing capacity of 3.5 tons and a 140-litre fuel tank.
The new Direct Injection Gas system provides better throttle performance, improved fuel economy and advanced emissions performance (versus a non-direct-injection system). It does this by reducing engine knock, improving combustion stability and offering precise injection control. A Multi Control Valve (MCV) assists in managing the engine’s thermal efficiency better than a traditional thermostat.
The engine also incorporates Nissan’s advanced VVEL (Variable Valve Event & Lift) technology, which combines hydraulic-controlled variable valve timing and electronically controlled variable valve lift on the intake and exhaust sides to provide high performance and immediate response.
The 7-speed automatic transmission with Adaptive Shift Control and Downshift Rev Matching features a new design that helps enhance fuel efficiency. This is achieved through the use of its wider gear ratios and Automatic Transmission Fluid warmer.
Off-road Capabilities
The All-Mode 4-wheel drive system features Auto/4H/4LO modes and an electronically controlled part-time transfer case. Under normal driving conditions, the system operates in two-wheel drive mode, but it can distribute torque to all four wheels when road conditions warrant it (up to 50 percent of torque can go to the front wheels on demand). The Patrol’s formidable independent double-wishbone front and rear suspension provide smooth ride comfort and responsive handling for both on-road and off-road driving.
Safety
Responsive braking is provided by a 4-wheel disc brake system with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. Also, the standard is ABLS (Active Brake Limited Slip) and a Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system. Steering is provided by an engine-speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system.
Standard are 3-point front seat belts with dual pretensioners and load limiters, 3-point seat belts for all rear seat occupants, including in the centre position; ISO fix child seat anchor system; child safety rear door locks; and Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones.
A Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is also included with a warning lamp in the gauge cluster or a warning display in the navigation system.
Summary
The Patrol ticks all the boxes as a proper bundu-bashing machine Its ride quality, powerful engine and safety features make it a worthy rival to the Land Cruiser VX. Currently, local dealer Nissan Kenya sells it at Ksh. 11.5 million and comes with a standard 3-year 100,000 Kilometre warranty.