The nutters at Nismo went from tuning GT-Rs and 370Zs to souping up 3-tonne V8 SUVs.
To the sheikhs in the Middle East who are looking at acquiring a souped up SUV, the choices available currently are rather plentiful.
Those looking for a British bruiser have the option of the 5.0-litre supercharged Range Rover Sport SVR or the W12 Bentley Bentayga Speed. Those who prefer something more Germanic meanwhile can choose between the Mercedes-AMG G63 or the Alpina XB7.
For the small fraction however who wishes for a souped up 4×4 with a touch of Japanese flair instead, the best that was on offer was the Nissan GT-R Nismo. Happily though, this has all since been rectified with the recent launch of the Nissan Patrol Nismo.
Available exclusively for the Middle East and launched in celebration of the Nissan Patrol’s 50th anniversary, this Nismo-fied Patrol is essentially a souped up version of the V8 LE Platinum City variant that was already offered over there. Rather impressively however, the souping up of this near 3-tonne SUV has actually been rather extensive to say the least.
Starting under the skin first, the headline news in this department will probably be its 5.6 litre V8. Tuned by the same Takumi craftsmen who hand-built the engines for the GT-R, there is now a total of 428 hp and 560 Nm of torque being transferred through the 7-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels.
Speaking of the wheels, the Patrol Nismo gains massive (yet lightweight) 22-inch two-tone 2 tone aluminum wheels that are wrapped in lower-profile (than standard anyway) tyres for some added bling, as well as improved on-road driving dynamics. This is then further aided by the fitment of Bilstein shock absorbers on the four corners of this sporty SUV.
Moving further up top, the Nismo-fied Patrol gains a more aggressive front fascia consisting of a gloss black honeycomb mesh grille embellished with the Nismo emblem. A redesigned front bumper too also features on this performance SUV, bringing with it a new vertical side duct that apparently helps it to achieve zero lift, and a red bumper lip that continues throughout the bottom edges of this Nissan.
Continuing on the topic of bumpers and speaking about its rear ones this time, this very prominent item round the back of this Nissan is further accentuated by a gloss black integrated rear diffuser and F1-inspired central rear LED fog light. New LED tail light clusters, a smattering of dark chrome accent pieces and a subtle roof spoiler complete the rear end makeover of the Patrol Nismo.
Stepping inside, Nissan has attempted to up the sportiness factor of the Patrol Nismo’s cabin by going with a red-and-black theme with lots of performance-inspired materials. To that end therefore, there is an Alcantara steering wheel, plenty of red carbon fibre interior accents and red carbon fibre stitching, as well as Alcantara and leather sports seats with the Nismo logo embossed on the headrests.
Having said that, all these sporty aesthetic interior modifications does sharply contrast to Nissan’s claim of ‘greater cabin quietness as a result of a reduction of the frame vibration’ The Patrol Nismo also gains air-con upgrades for the second row, in addition to a refreshed centre console with a twin-screen layout and various other active driver aids as part of an upgraded Nissan Intelligent Mobility (NIM) active safety suite.
Available in White Pearl, Black Solid, Grey and Silver, the Patrol Nismo is currently on sale in the UAE for AED 385,000 (RM 435,000). Though it may seem like a lot for a tarted-up Nissan SUV, seeing how the normal variants are outselling even the Land Cruisers over there by a huge margin, it will not be all that surprising that these souped-up V8-powered SUVs become a huge hit over in the region where fuel is still dirt cheap.
PRESS RELEASE: Nissan revealed the 2021 Nissan Patrol NISMO to the world earlier today, marking the latest chapter for Nissan’s performance brand. Premiering globally through a virtual event hosted at Expo 2020 Dubai, the new race-inspired version of the legendary Patrol combines striking exteriors with the refinement of a luxury car and the exhilarating performance of a sports car.
The SUV will be available exclusively to customers in the region, and begins a year-long celebration to mark the 70th anniversary of the dawn of the Nissan Patrol in 1951. It also furthers the Nissan NEXT transformation journey in the region, following the recent regional launch of the all-new Nissan X-Terra.
The latest manifestation of the bold and sporty Nissan Patrol NISMO underlines Nissan’s heritage as a motorsport brand, and the region’s long-standing love for high-performance vehicles. It has been tailored to meet the needs and expectations of customers looking to stand out from the crowd – those who seek the premium luxury of the iconic Nissan Patrol, and simultaneously crave the exhilaration that comes from increased power performance and superb handling.
While its exterior has been refined to allow for optimized aerodynamics and suspension, as well as achieving zero lift force, it also features enhanced handling capabilities and stylish race-inspired ergonomic upgrades, along with the latest Nissan Intelligent Mobility (NIM) features.
Sculpted to Perfection
The 2021 Nissan Patrol NISMO reinforces the build of the Patrol V8 LE Platinum City model, and is aligned with Nissan’s new design philosophy of being bold, energizing, human and alive.
The dynamic design plays a pivotal role in highlighting the character of the Patrol NISMO – exuding aggression and sportiness with an imposing presence. It features a new front fascia, with a honeycomb three-dimensional mesh that emphasizes the SUV’s front V-Motion grille, along with new front lamps and horizontal chrome lines embellished with the NISMO emblem. The rear bumper is more symmetrical in design to accentuate the car width, with dark chrome inserts and new tail lamps. It also includes LED rear fog lights inspired by the Nissan Formula 1 car, which emits the same brightness as the car’s brake lights in adverse conditions.
The signature NISMO red line wrap covers the circumference at the model’s base, the contour adding a boost to its definition, while the 22-inch, two-tone 2 tone aluminum wheels sport the NISMO logo to add a distinctive aesthetic. The SUV’s tuned suspension features Bilstein shock absorbers, which provide a sportier and improved handling.
While the exterior of the Patrol NISMO boasts confidence, the interiors exude pure luxury and NISMO’s racing pedigree in equal measure. Spacious front seats help drivers become one with their car, while the premium quality and crafted quilting continues the NISMO’s narrative in bringing performance and luxury to its owners. Alcantara fabric with side leather, the upholstery of choice for racing cars, is one of the latest design modifications to the NISMO to add to the plushness of the interiors.
The black Alcantara steering wheel also takes its inspiration from racing cars, with red carbon fiber inserts to provide a sporty and dynamic feel, while the headrests are also embossed with the signature NISMO logo. The refreshed centre console and dashboard adds to the signature NISMO interior, allowing drivers to make informed decisions in real time.
The 2021 Nissan Patrol NISMO also features improvement in cabin quietness as a result of a reduction of the frame vibration, while AC upgrades for the second row help provide a more comfortable ride.
The 2021 Nissan Patrol NISMO is available in four exterior colors – namely White Pearl, Black Solid, and Grey and Silver metallic colors.
Passion for Performance
The 2021 Patrol NISMO’s design is driven by function – to provide drivers with motorsports inspired aerodynamics and styling, enhanced handling capabilities and unmatched agility. Each vehicle is tuned to flawlessness by Nissan’s legendary Takumi craftsmen team, a team of four master engine builders allowed to hand-build the Nissan GT-R engines at Nissan’s Yokohama engine plant. Their skill in tuning the Patrol’s V8 engine results in a concentrated 428hp and a torque of 560NM.
A key design upgrade to the 2021 Nissan Patrol NISMO is the addition of a side duct to the front bumper to achieve zero lift force – maintaining its breakthrough achievement within the SUV segment. The intensification in aerodynamic force is boosted by the cumulative wheel weight reduction of 4.5 kgs, and is reigned in with a new roof spoiler to ensure smooth air flow over the rear. The adoption of a large thermal capacity has resulted in an improved braking performance, while the body structure enforcement allows for better handling at high speeds.
The 2021 Nissan Patrol NISMO has also been upgraded with latest Nissan Intelligent Mobility (NIM) technologies to provide drivers with peace of mind while driving. The latest additions include Intelligent Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, Smart Rear View Mirror and a High Beam Assist. Technology upgrades to the Patrol NISMO also include Apple CarPlay compatibility, wireless charging capability and USB ports including USB-A and USB-C.
Expo 2020 Dubai was the chosen setting for the virtual launch, as Nissan gears up to offer visitors a glimpse into the future of mobility during the six-month event starting 1 October 2021. As the event’s Official Automotive Partner, Nissan is set to leverage its global expertise and showcase next-generation cars based on the brand’s vision of driving innovation that enriches people’s lives. This is also in line with Expo 2020’s purpose of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’.
The 2021 Nissan Patrol NISMO goes on sale across the Middle East from April 2021 at a starting price of AED 385,000 ($105,000) inclusive of VAT. Prices will vary from market to market.
