Nissan confirms Patrol Warrior is coming
Following the runaway success of the locally-developed ‘Warrior’ variants of the Navara dual cab ute, Nissan Australia has confirmed the programme will be expanded to include the Patrol.
When they announced the Navara SL Warrior back in May, Nissan said that a Patrol Warrior was under consideration. Its addition to the Warrior family was confirmed on 27 September, with development and testing now underway by Nissan’s partner in the project, Premcar.
“I’m extremely excited to announce that a Nissan Patrol Warrior is coming, and I have no doubt that it will be a huge success,” says Nissan Australia Managing Director, Adam Paterson.
Details are scarce at the moment, but Nissan says the Patrol Warrior will feature wheel, tyre and suspension upgrades, resulting in improved ground clearance, a wider stance and improved ride and handling.
While unconfirmed at this stage, it’ll be safe to assume the Warrior version of the Patrol will add features like contrasting wheelarch flares, decals and badges, with a special bullbar, skidplate, sidesteps and other bolt-ons a possibility, too.
The Patrol’s 5.6-litre V8 will not be enhanced for the Warrior version, meaning the existing maximums of 298kW and 560Nm from this naturally aspirated petrol engine will be unchanged.
No mention is made of changes to the Patrol’s standard seven-speed automatic transmission or the dual range four-wheel drive system, either, so assume these elements will remain unchanged on the Patrol Warrior, too.
The carefully considered and locally tuned modifications being undertaken by Premcar will require a full 12 months of development, according to Nissan, so don’t expect the Patrol Warrior to reach showrooms until late 2023 at the earliest.
Nissan adds that the scope of this project, along with the success of the existing Warrior models, will require Premcar to add new personnel and expand their existing operations in suburban Melbourne.
“The Warrior program, our collaboration with Premcar, has already proven immensely popular in Australia, and a new version of the already hugely capable Nissan Patrol is a vehicle I, like many Australians, can’t wait to drive,” Paterson adds.
“Our collaboration with Premcar is all about developing vehicles that are perfectly suited to Australian customers and conditions.”
More details on the Patrol Warrior will be revealed closer to local launch.
