The new generation of the full-size SUV, also known as the Nissan Patrol globally, promises substantial enhancements over its aging predecessor
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The Nissan Patrol that is marketed in North America as the Armada is up for a major update next year, is promising significant improvements in performance and technology. The burning question is, how will it stack up against its chief rival, the Toyota Land Cruiser? A senior Nissan executive has offered some candid insights on the subject.
Ivan Espinosa, Nissan’s Global Head of Product Strategy and Planning, boldly stated that the upcoming new Patrol will be “much better” than the Land Cruiser. It’s worth noting that he’s likely referring to the global-spec Toyota Land Cruiser Series 300 flagship, as the North American market will receive the newer Series 250. Espinosa made this confident proclamation while speaking with Australian media at the Japan Mobility Show 2023, where he also shared additional details about the upcoming SUV.
Stronger Twin-Turbo V6
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The executive confirmed the earlier rumors about the demise of the naturally aspirated V8 in favor of a more efficient twin-turbo V6. The new engine is said to “outshine” its predecessor in terms of capability, performance, acceleration, and power delivery.
More: Nissan’s V8 To Die With The Titan As Next Armada And Patrol Switch To Turbo V6
According to a report from Drive, the upcoming Patrol lineup will feature non-electrified petrol engines, as diesel powertrains are currently “out of the question” at this point. However, Ivan Espinosa did hint at the potential inclusion of an ePower hybrid system in the near future. On the flip side, he dismissed the idea of a fully electric version, citing the limitations of current EV technology for large SUVs. He emphasized that these vehicles are built to tackle both long-distance journeys and off-road adventures, often tasked with heavy towing, which presents challenges that current electric powertrains aren’t well-suited for, at least until solid-state batteries become available.
Chassis And Tech Improvements
Espinosa explained that the more potent engine will be matched with an enhanced chassis configuration for Nissan’s sizable ladder-frame SUV, resulting in significant advancements in overall performance and driving dynamics. “The overall performance, driving dynamics, you will see big, big improvements. The dynamic performance is very well executed on the road when you’re driving at high speed, the response, the chassis, the dynamics, the steering have also been greatly improved,” he said.
Furthermore, the upcoming Patrol will maintain its renowned off-road capabilities while introducing substantial technological upgrades to meet modern demands.
More: 2023 Nissan Patrol Warrior Unlocks V8 Growl And Serious Off-Road Credentials
Espinosa admitted that the current Patrol is “relatively old, and we don’t have the best infotainment system” but promised that this is where customers will notice a “big improvement”. Note that the sixth generation of the Nissan Patrol (Y62) debuted back in 2010 and despite receiving two consecutive facelifts in 2014 and in 2019, it feels dated compared to newer rivals.
While Nissan has kept the details of the new model’s exterior design under wraps, considering the widespread popularity of the Patrol nameplate, it’s likely to feature an evolutionary rather than a revolutionary design. One subtle hint we have comes from the Infiniti QX Monogram concept, which offers a preview of the next-generation QX80. This luxurious Infiniti model is a counterpart to the Nissan Patrol and competes with the Lexus LX in the market.
We can expect to gather more information about the upcoming generation of the Nissan Patrol/Armada in the coming months, especially as we approach its rumored debut in 2024.
