Confirmed move back to six-cylinder power will come with a reduction power from the related Infiniti QX80, but a smidgen more torque.
Ahead of its global reveal in exactly seven days’ time, 3 September, Nissan has released more details of the now internally named confirmed Y63 Patrol, including a first external preview.
Selectively teased over the last few weeks, the latest details confirm the Patrol as being the recipient of the new 3.5-litre VH35 twin-turbo V6 engine that replaces the Y62’s normally aspirated 5.6-litre VK56 V8.
Marking a return to six-cylinder motivation only for the first time since the Y61, the confirmation on a dedicated section of Nissan’s Middle East website does, however, involve a difference as unlike the upscale Infiniti QX80, the Patrol will produce slightly power with a reduction of 20 kW to 315 kW.
Torque, however, increases by two Newton Metres to 700 Nm, which represents an uptake of 17kW/140Nm over the VK56.
As with the Y62, a diesel engine will continue to be absent as the Y63’s development never involved an oil-burner due to Nissan’s move towards eventual electrification.
Carried over from the QX80 is the new nine-speed automatic gearbox in place of the outgoing seven-speed, and three driving modes of which no details were divulged. For the first time, 22-inch alloy wheels will be available, although on flagship models only.
Retaining the body-on-frame platform and low range transfer case, the biggest hint comes via Nissan’s North American website where the Patrol is marketed as the second generation Armada since 2016.
While the most recent teaser image showed the rear facia that bears a resemblance to the Navara and indeed, the original Armada that lasted from 2003 to 2015 as a model with no relations to the Patrol, the newest shows the Y63’s bonnet line and grille – the latter, unsurprisingly Nissan-specific and different from that of the QX80.
Appearing almost identical to that of the Navara’s newly facelift twin, the Frontier, the teaser doesn’t provide any further details, apart from the Y63 being touted as having the same level of ruggedness of the depicted second generation sold briefly in the States.
Although revealed back in 1951, the same year in which Toyota debuted the Land Cruiser, the Patrol only arrived in the United States in 1962, two years after the second iteration’s Japanese market debut, powered by a 4.0-litre straight-six petrol engine hooked to a three-speed manual gearbox.
Sold as a Nissan instead of a Datsun, the US-market Patrol departed in 1969 before returning as the mentioned next generation Armada that received a market specific refresh four years ago with a unique interior different from the Middle Eastern-spec Patrol.
While interior images of the Y63 remains unseen, expectations are that subtle differences from that of the QX80 are likely to feature, namely a possible reduction in screen count, plus a restyled dashboard and possibly smaller sizes for the displays themselves.
Given the first “metal” sighting and world unveiling being seven days ago, it appears unlikely that any more teasers will emerge in spite of the actual production model having already emerged via a series of spy images last month.
Heavily disguised but recognisable as a Patrol due to the silhouette and just visible headlight’s similarities with the QX80, the Y63 is, tentatively, expected to debut in South Africa next year as right-hand-drive production has been approved for not only Japan, but also Australia where sales have dramatically increased since last year due to the long waiting periods of the Land Cruiser 300, plus its price premium over the Patrol.
Launching on said date in Abu Dhabi, which will be attended by The Citizen, expect final details, including for South Africa, to be announced then.
NOW READ: Wait has started: New Nissan Patrol emerges in first spy shots
