Nissan Australia’s managing director has given an update on the brand’s popular Toyota LandCruiser rival, with a new locally developed off-road special due before year’s end, as well as the status of current supply.
Local boss Adam Paterson told CarExpert the new Nissan Patrol Warrior – co-developed with Premcar – is on track to launch in the latter stages of 2023.
“In terms of Patrol Warrior, we confirmed in very late September last year that the product was locked in and we expected development to take around 12 months. We are on track to meet this timeline,” Mr Paterson said.
Patrol Warrior teasers
Conceptually similar to the current Navara PRO-4X Warrior and SL Warrior off-road-ready variants, the 2024 Nissan Patrol Warrior will feature “carefully considered and locally tuned” modifications to deliver more ground clearance, a wider stance, and better ride and handling – all tested locally in cohesion.
The Patrol Warrior will be exclusive to this market and will feature wheel, tyre and suspension upgrades – but the 298kW/560Nm 5.6-litre V8 will be unchanged, despite a teaser image showing what look like Mercedes-AMG G63-style side-exit exhaust tips.
Patrol Warriors will be imported from Japan and finished off with Australian-specific modifications at Premcar’s production centre in Melbourne’s north.
As for the existing range, Mr Paterson indicated “there is approximately a three to six month wait for delivery of Patrol”.
Meanwhile, the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series is currently seeing wait times of around 12 to 18 months.
In 2022 the Patrol returned 5724 registrations, growth of 71.7 per cent year on year. By comparison the LandCruiser Wagon – which includes 300 Series and 70 Series variants – saw 13,152 registrations (down 8.4 per cent).
Nissan’s flagship 4×4 has started 2023 off strong as well, with its monthly January result of 253 units a 120 per cent improvement on the same month last year.
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