Nissan upgrades tech for MY24 Patrol
BY HAITHAM RAZAGUI AND PETER BARNWELL | 9th Apr 2024
NISSAN’S big V8 petrol-powered Patrol off-roader may have been around for 15 years since the Y62 generation launched but upgrades announced this week bring it more in line on tech terms with competitors including arch-rival Toyota’s 3.3-litre V6 twin-turbo diesel LandCruiser 300.
Prices of Ti and Ti-L Patrol variants have edged up over the past few years, culminating in the latest schedule jumping by $3000 to result in the Ti opening proceedings from $87,900 excluding on-road costs and the top Ti-L trim level cresting the $100K mark to be listed from $100,600+ ORC.
The Patrol Warrior (by Premcar) also rises by $3000, to $104,160 + ORC.
In comparison, Toyota’s LandCruiser 300 Series starts from $98,076 + ORC for the base GX rising to $145,876 + ORC for the range-topping GR-Sport, pricing that still makes the Nissan Patrol an attractive alternative.
Whether the next-generation Patrol, previewed by its Infiniti QX80 luxury derivative in New York recently, will continue to undercut the LandCruiser 300 remains to be seen.
Upgrades for the MY24 Patrol centre on a new media unit developed in partnership with automotive supplier Directed Technologies to equip the big fourbie with wireless connectivity for both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring systems through a fully featured 10.1-inch high-definition central touchscreen.
A 15-watt wireless smartphone charging pocket is installed in the centre console as well as USB-A and USB-C ports to ensure devices remain topped up.
The new infotainment system – replacing the button-fest and CD player slot of the central dashboard to make way for a new lidded storage area between the air-conditioning vents where the old touchscreen used to be – provides access to additional functionality including DAB+ digital radio, iGO Street Navigation and an introductory one-month subscription to Hema 4x4 Navigation with over-the-air updates.
A full HD wide-angle reversing camera is displayed through the new screen and supplemented by the addition of a digital rearview mirror.
The MY24 Patrol Ti and Warrior also gain a cool box beneath the central front armrest while the Ti-L's 13-speaker Bose audio system is replaced by a six-speaker Infinity setup.
Underneath the big boxy body, generation six Y62 Patrol remains the same with body-on-frame (ladder chassis) construction, a 5.6-litre VK56VD petrol V8 engine delivering 298kW/560Nm to the wheels via a seven-speed conventional automatic transmission.
The latest Patrol carries over a full-time four-wheel-drive system with rear helical limited-slip differential, as well as the Hydraulic Body Motion Control suspension.
Directed Technologies executive director Brent Stafford said his company is “proud to be delivering Nissan the only multimedia device designed in Australia”.
“Our home-grown expertise ensures the new cutting-edge upgrades will respond to rugged Australian conditions that are often driven by Nissan Patrol and Nissan Patrol Warrior owners.”
Nissan Patrol sales in Australia are up 86.4 per cent so far this year with 2192 of the upper large SUVs delivered to the end of March following a 36.5 per cent uptick across 2023 when 7812 new Patrols found homes here.
2024 Nissan Patrol Pricing:
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Ti (a)
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$87,900
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Ti-L (a)
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$100,600
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Warrior (a)
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$104,160
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*excludes on road costs
