Nissan Patrol diesel delayed until 2013

Despite its appearance at the recent 2010 Sydney motor show, the all-new Nissan Patrol, powered by a 5.6-litre petrol V8, is still a year away from local showrooms. And fans of diesel power will have to wait up to three years for the all-new model.

The news was confirmed by the Chief Operating Officer of Nissan, Toshiyuki Shiga, on a recent visit to Australia during the show.

After a speech to the media declaring "Nissan has never been more committed to Australia than it is right now," he later admitted that one of Australia's favourite heavy-duty four-wheel drives had slipped down the priority list because of the Global Financial Crisis, and tough new emissions regulations in Europe.

In the interim, Nissan Australia will continue to sell the current model 3.0-litre turbodiesel Patrol indefinitely.

"The program is alive but it is still under study," Shiga-san told the Carsales Network.

"One of the reasons we are delaying the decision on the diesel is the new emissions regulations in the European market. It is very difficult because it is a heavy vehicle."

The new Patrol is longer, wider, taller and heavier than the Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series and shares some of its underbody and structure with an Infiniti SUV sold in North America and other markets.

The Carsales Network has been told that Nissan is yet to decide which diesel engine to use in the new Patrol. One option is to redevelop Nissan's current 3.0-litre turbodiesel to meet new emissions standards, another option is to use a 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 from Renault. Shiga-san said, there was also a possibility of utilising a DaimlerChrylser diesel engine.

"We have three choices," he said, "and we discuss these matters."

When asked if there was a chance Nissan may not build a diesel Patrol at all if it becomes too expensive (the only likely markets are Europe and Australia), Shiga-san repeated earlier comments: "The program is still alive. But it is still under study. It will definitely be after 2012. We are only now developing the right hand drive [petrol version]."

The new generation Patrol was developed mainly with the Middle East in mind, which is a left-hand drive, primarily petrol-engined market.

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