Proof new Nissan Patrol to get rugged off-road focused version? 2026 Infiniti QX80 Terrain Spec concept debuts with help from Australia’s Premcar, but does this preview a Toyota LandCruiser-rivalling Y63 4WD? 

The rugged Warrior version of Nissan’s next-generation Y63 Patrol has been previewed via the Infiniti QX80 Terrain Spec concept at Monterey Car Week over the weekend.

Infiniti ripped the covers from two concepts at motorsports event The Quail, one dubbed Track Spec, which is a more performance-focussed affair, while the Terrain Spec holds more interest to Australian punters.

As shown by images sent in by a keen reader, the Terrain Spec has Premcar decals on it, meaning it was developed by Australian automotive engineering firm Premcar.

The Melbourne-based outfit is responsible for the development and engineering of the current Y62 Patrol Warrior and the Navara Warrior and is widely expected to do the same treatment on the upcoming next-gen Y63 Patrol.

The next Patrol is not due in Australian Nissan dealerships until late 2026, meaning a Warrior version won’t be likely until 2027.

But given the QX80 is based on the Patrol, the Terrain Spec concept gives us a few clues as to what to expect of the next Patrol Warrior.

Premcar CEO Bernie Quinn said in a statement: "The Premcar team is proud to have worked with Infiniti USA to create the QX80 Terrain Spec concept."

In a media release, Infiniti said the QX80 “offers overlanding enthusiasts the ability to securely venture nearly anywhere – in levels of comfort and sophistication unknown in most off-roaders”.

Separating the Terrain Spec from its more reserved QX80 base car are higher ride height, off-road wheels with all-terrain tyres, a side exit exhaust and fender flares. The show car is covered in a satin dark basalt vinyl wrap.

Other adventure seeking elements to the concept include limb risers, a rooftop-mounted lightbar and pop-up tent, and “protective covers over the lower front and rear fascias for protection from the elements”.

The regular QX80 already has an off-road bent, according to Infiniti, with the hulking luxury SUV coming with features like ‘Invisible Hood View’ that projects into the central display a view of what's directly under the vehicle, and a 3D surround-view monitor.

Infiniti has not confirmed what’s under the bonnet of the Terrain Spec, however expect it to be the same engine that powers other QX80s, and the coming Patrol. It’s a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine delivering outputs of around 335kW and 700Nm.

If that’s not enough grunt then you might be more interested in the QX80 Track Spec concept. It gets more aggressive visual elements like quad exhausts, a rear diffuser, enlarged Brebo brakes, a matt metallic black-blue vinyl wrap and 24-inch wheels.

But the bigger news is what lies beneath. Infiniti has turned up the wick on the V6 engine, increasing power to 485kW and torque to a whopping 1017Nm!

Infiniti says this was achieved using “stock internal components through a carefully integrated engineering approach that includes upgraded compressors, a higher-capacity intercooler, new fuel injectors, ram air intake and a lower-restriction exhaust”.

The Infiniti QX80 and the Y63 Patrol - called Armada in North America - are already on sale in the US, but Australia must wait for more than another year before we get the Y63 Patrol. However, Nissan has said Australia will be the first right-hand-drive market to offer the new-gen SUV.

Infiniti is Nissan’s premium marque - as Lexus is to Toyota - but the brand only lasted eight years in Australia before it was pulled from the market in 2020.