New Patrol "late 2010" -- Nissan boss

Nissan Australia boss Dan Thompson has confirmed an all-new Patrol is on the way. But you'll have to wait until at least the middle, and probably the end of 2010 for it to arrive Down Under.

Thompson told the Carsales Network the all-new full-size 4x4 would be launched globally towards the end of 2009. Though he would not divulge any details on the new full-size offroader or the line-up, the confirmation flies in the face of speculation that Nissan had effectively killed off the long-time model.

"We will see the new Patrol globally unveiled next year -- not for Australia but globally… So the product is real, the product is coming and we're sort of at that final stage firming up the plan for us," Thompson said.

Thompson said the local operation was still working on aspects of the business case of Patrol.

"For Australia, it's still a work in progress... But it will be coming to Australia."

Thompson would not pinpoint currency or regulatory issues as the hold-up.

"It would be nice to have the car tomorrow, but that's not a reality. The global unveil will be at the end of next year and probably a fair amount of time after that will be the reality for us," he opined.

"It's more the [overall] business case and unfortunately the business case involves all those issues... But once again the vehicle will come -- we've just got to work through those last details." he said,

Speculation has the new Patrol débuting at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show, but Los Angeles is more likely from a market standpoint. Thompson would not comment on whether the 4x4 would retain its traditional body-on-frame construction.

Whether the move to unitary construction happens or not, it is likely the new Patrol will move from inline to V6 powerplants -- in both petrol and diesel versions.

Tipped to find a home under the new Patrol's bonnet is Renault's new V6 dCi which was co-developed with Nissan. The new 3.0-litre engine has been designed for both transverse and longitudinal applications and can be adapted to pass Euro5 and California's tough emission regulations.

Rated at 245hp and 450Nm in its initial incarnation, in rear or four-wheel drive applications, the V6 dCi will deliver torque outputs of up to 550Nm.

Sounds like just the engine to take it up to the Toyota LandCruiser's turbodiesel V8, Mr Thompson...

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