2021 Nissan Patrol NISMO makes debut

Nissan has launched the flagship NISMO version of its latest MY21 Nissan Patrol that gets shaper styling, suspension upgrades and a small power bump over the standard full-size SUV.

Unveiled online, the 2021 Nissan Patrol NISMO gains overtly sporty styling cues, introducing a new front bumper with arrow-shaped side air intakes, a huge central air dam, a honeycomb grille and lower red splitter.

Along its flanks, the side steps gain red sill extensions while at the rear there's a new bumper and diffuser that incorporates a rear lamp that mimics an F1-style rain light.

Larger dual exhausts exiting from either corner, plus a prominent roof spoiler and huge 22-inch rims complete the external changes that ramp up the visual aggression.

Under the bonnet, the high-performance division responsible for the Nissan GT-R NISMO rocket ship have unleashed more power from the standard naturally-aspirated 5.6-litre V8, producing 315kW – 17kW more. Peak torque remains at 560Nm.

There's no word on how that transforms performance, with NISMO preferring to focus on the chassis revisions that include the addition of new Bilstein dampers to improve cornering.

Inside the facelifted Y62-generation Patrol, the NISMO version introduces a red and black theme, while adding sportier carbon-fibre and Alcantara trim.

The sportiest Patrol also comes standard with a 13-speaker Bose sound system and an infotainment system that now works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

For those in the market for a high-performance version of the Patrol, the new NISMO flagship is unlikely to come to Australia.

Instead, we'll have to make do with the Australian-developed Nissan Patrol Warrior that's had its launch pushed out to 2022.