Nissan is planning to bring its biggest SUV, the Patrol to our shores soon. The large, seven-seating SUV will be brought in as CBU units, and will compete mainly against the Toyota Land Cruiser. With the launch of this full-sized Patrol SUV, Nissan is also looking to boost its brand-image in India.
The four-wheel-drive Patrol features a ladder-on-frame construction, making it a rugged SUV that can handle a fair bit of off-roading. Mechanically, the Nissan Patrol is expected to get a big 5.6-litre V8 petrol motor that’s good for around 400bhp and 57kgm of torque. Internationally, the Patrol gets three transmission options (including a manual) but in India, the Patrol is likely to be fitted only with the range-topping seven-speed automatic gearbox.
Compared to the Land Cruiser, the Patrol is expected to get interiors that are much better appointed, as it shares a lot of its cosmetic parts with the Infiniti QX80. That said, with a price tag of approximately Rs 1 crore, the Patrol will be expensive, and will also have to compete with luxury SUVs such as the Mercedes GL-class and Audi Q7.
In the past, Nissan discontinued its other CBU offerings such as the X-trail SUV, Teana sedan and the 370Z sports car in India owing to poor demand and high import duties. So, while it may be a capable full-fat SUV, it remains to be seen how Indians will take to a Rs-1 crore Nissan.
Dipan Sur
Viraaj Bhatnagar
