Nissan Patrol 2014 News

A number of potentially hazardous faults have been identified in vehicles sold in Australia, prompting a wide range of recalls.

Nissan engineer apologises to Australia: no diesel Patrol.

A model cull is coming as Nissan aims to pique buyers' palates.

New Honda Jazz sets new benchmark for rear view cameras: $14,990.

Diesel "classic" set to continue alongside new petrol Patrol indefinitely.

Nobody likes getting stuck in traffic, especially during warm weather. And no animal enjoys it either, judging by this footage of a lion spotted in the back of a vehicle during a street stoppage in Dubai.The surprised motorist sitting behind the Nissan Armada SUV -- carrying the lion in the cargo bay -- filmed the beast as it paced around in the confined area, looking out the window and seemingly trying to find some shade.No information has emerged about why or where the big cat was being carted in the car. But curiously, and somewhat bravely, there's no cage or cargo barrier separating the big cat from the driver. We can only hope the lion became more comfortable when the traffic congestion eased and the Nissan started moving again. And that it didn't get irritated enough to start taking its frustration out on the upholstery -- or its fellow passengers.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincottWatch the live lion carried in the boot of car video on our desktop site. 

Yesterday we brought you spy shots from the United Arab Emirates suggesting that the updated Nissan Patrol would be unveiled in the capital's Dubai international motor show.Today we have further confirmation from Drive Arabia, who have posted official shots of the facelifted Patrol, including a limited run Black Edition, saying the vehicles will be unveiled after the show opens today (this afternoon, Australian time).The images show the exterior features of the Patrol's facelift are largely around the lightly reshaped nose, with redesigned grille and bumper, new LED-integerated headlights and taillights, revised side trim and alloy wheel designs.Drive Arabia suggests the updated interior gets a new tan leather upholstery option and wood-accented steering wheel. The limited-run Black Edition, in a production run of just 200, sports matte black paint, black trims and accents and red leather upholstery.However nothing has changed under the bonnets, with the show cars carrying the same 298kW/560Nm 5.6-litre V8 petrol engine that powers our current model Y62 Patrol.The updated Nissan will roll into overseas showrooms early in 2014, but there's likely no plan for it to arrive here any time soon, with the current model having been launched in Australia only in February this year -- although having been around overseas for nearly four years."There are no product plans for a facelift at this stage," Nissan Australia spokesperson Chris Jordan says. "The new Y62 Patrol has only been in the market for eight months so it's a bit early for facelifts."With the updated Patrol being a mid-life revision overseas, we may not see it at all, and it could make sense for Nissan to wait and bring us the next generation in closer timing to overseas markets.  "It would all depend on what the product lifecycle looks like in terms of facelift vs new models," Jordan says.Nissan's stand at the Dubai show will reportedly also feature the new Pathfinder Hybrid and a GT-R Midnight Opal Edition.Watch the 2014 Nissan Patrol video here. This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincottImages courtesy of www.drivearabia.com 

With the Dubai international motor show opening tomorrow, these spy shots of what appears to be a revised Nissan Patrol on a truck could be a vehicle on its way to the event.The images were posted on the Nissan Arabia forums by an eagle-eyed -- and quick-snapping -- member, who managed to get images of the rear and part of the side profile.The photos show a redesign for the tail-light cluster, refreshed side trims and new alloy wheels. Nissan hasn't confirmed that a Patrol will be at the show. But with the sixth-generation of the popular SUV having already been around for nearly four years overseas -- although we didn't get it here until recently -- it's good timing for a mid-life facelift for left-hand drive markets.The show opens on November 5 (late in the evening for our timing) so we'll keep an eye on what's unveiled there to see if the Patrol is officially revealed.Watch the 2014 Nissan Patrol video here.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

The company’s US division has released a Cummins V8 turbodiesel for its Titan pickup, which is based on the same F-Alpha platform as the Y62 Patrol four-wheel drive.And the local HQ say they’d be keen to see it here if available. “We would be first in line requesting the model for Australia, should a diesel Patrol be developed in the future,” Nissan Australia’s head of public relations Peter Fadeyev says.However he says Nissan currently has no plans to release a diesel Y62 Patrol. Nissan has instead opted to continue selling the older generation (Y61) 3.0-litre turbodiesel Patrol alongside the 5.6-litre petrol V8-powered newer model. “The (Y61) Patrol continues to appeal to traditional off-road diesel enthusiasts in Australia,” Fadeyev said.Nissan head office has not confirmed any plans to fit the Cummins diesel to the Patrol. But with a diesel that suits the platform now available, the Patrol is in a good position to become the next recipient of the 5-litre turbodiesel. “There is a possibility that the engineering capability might be there,” Fadeyev says.In the meantime, Nissan has been aiming to convince buyers of the capability of the petrol unit. Most recently the Patrol set a new Guinness record for heaviest airplane hauled, by towing a 170-tonne Ilyushin II Russian cargo airplane in Shajah international airport in the United Arab Emirates.The Y62 Patrol, which was launched earlier this year in Australia, was largely developed for the Middle East – by far the Patrol’s biggest market, and one that has low petrol prices. This influenced the decision to not develop a diesel option. In the Middle East alone, where the Y62 launched in 2010, sales figures have soared 47% since last year. The petrol model has also proved popular in Russia and the US, where it’s sold with the Infiniti badge. Like the Middle East, those markets have an appetite for large petrol four wheel drives due largely to low petrol prices.However, in Australia diesel four wheel drive sales are booming. In 2012 sales were up by 35% for that segment. And the Patrol’s main rivals, the Toyota Landcruiser 200 series and Land Rover Discovery, are enjoying the benefits, posting strong results for their diesel models. Patrol fans have taken to Nissan’s facebook page, forums and other media sites calling for a diesel version of the Patrol. The just-released Cummins diesel in the Nissan Titan could well be the solution to that demand.The Titan shares not only the platform, but also the current 298kW 5.6-litre petrol V8 with the Y62 Patrol. The new V8 turbodiesel 223kW 5-litre unit packs a healthy 744Nm torque, compared to the petrol’s 560 Nm. Importantly for Nissan Australia, a V8 turbodiesel Patrol means the company could eclipse its arch-rival, the Landcruiser 200 series, which offers a 4.5-litre 195kW/650Nm V8 diesel.The benefits don’t stop there, with the new engine expected to better its petrol counterpart in fuel economy, range and towing capacity. Cummins vice-president Dave Crompton said at the Titan engine announcement the new power plant “will offer the right balance of power, performance and fuel economy while delivering the dependability that customers expect of a Cummins engine.” The Indiana-based manufacturer is renowned for its heavy duty truck power plants, supplying units worldwide including Kenworth and Mack Trucks of Australia. 

Just as Nissan redeems the Tiida/Pulsar faux pas, it makes another one by failing to offer the new generation Y62 Patrol 4x4 with a diesel engine.Nissan is covering its tail by continuing to offer the ancient Y61 diesel Patrol for the time being alongside Y62. Presumably that will be until there's so much pressure from Patrol buyers for a new diesel that Nissan finds one from somewhere. It's been 14 years since the previous model was introduced - a long time and the result has been two pronged - considerable pent-up demand for a new Patrol from existing owners and a sales haemorrhage to other makes.LUXURYBut the new (7-8 seat) model will have appeal in the luxury end of the market up against Toyota's formidable Landcruiser. New Patrol comes in three grades, ST-L, Ti and Ti-L priced at $82,200, $92,800 and $113,900 in ascending order.POWERTRAINAll share the same powertrain which consists of a 5.6-litre, V8 petrol engine (basis of the new Nissan V8 Supercar donk), a seven-speed conventional automatic transmission and Nissan's clever All-Mode 4x4 system with 4H and 4L incorporating Sand, Rock, Snow and On-road modes. There's a rear diff' lock and the vehicle scores hill start assist and hill descent control.Everything is selected from a dial on the dash. The engine is good for 298kW/560Nm thanks to direct fuel injection and variable valve timing and lift on the inlet side. It gives fuel economy benefits and a claimed 14.5-litres/100km on premium. That's much better than the earlier 4.8-litre petrol six in the Y61 model which drank prodigiously.SUSPENSIONSomething that will be liked or loathed by new Patrol owners is the all independent double wishbone suspension that replaces the 'old skool' live axles. Traditionally, the latter is preferred in arduous off-road driving because live axles lift the vehicle up out of a hole or over a rock whereas independent suspension sees the wheel disappear into the wheel well with the body hitting the dirt.On the two high grade Patrols, there's a clever new suspension featuring adaptive dampers that act to prevent body roll in cornering and also to maintain clearance off road. It's called Hydraulic Body Motion Control. Driver assist technologies are available on the higher spec' models such as Blind Spot Warning and Lane Assist among others. A body on chassis design is retained.STYLINGThe body (on chassis) is larger than before with styling that you either like or not. We fall into the latter category suggesting that the front looks too much like a Pathfinder and the overall look is bland and uninspiring. Inside are three seat rows with plenty of room for all passengers and an esky down the back with the third in place.The Y62 Patrol has been around for some time already in Arab countries and features a raft of goodies designed to cater for those looking to be pampered.GOODIESStandard kit includes Bluetooth phone, a DVD player (two in the higher range models), two gig music register, multiple steering wheel controls, intelligent key access, dual zone climate control, rear view camera, front and rear park assist, drive computer and an eight way power adjust driver's seat. Ti and Ti-L get more.New Patrol has a 140 litre fuel tank and can tow 3500kg braked. Some local development work went into the design effort which sees low levels of noise inside the cabin and a single lift up tailgate among other refinements.VERDICTWe'll take it into the bush before forming any conclusions. It would have been a better proposition from our point of view with a new, high-tech 3.0-litre turbodiesel six under the bonnet. There's one in the Pathfinder.