Nissan Patrol Warrior teased

The long-awaited Nissan Patrol Warrior has been officially teased for the first time, indicating the tougher locally developed version of the existing Y62 Patrol will become reality at some stage.

Back in February, respected US industry outlet Automotive News reported the next-generation Nissan Armada – on which the global Nissan Patrol is based – will be released in North America in late 2023 with a downsized twin-turbo petrol V6.

Then earlier this week, Nissan Oceania and Australia managing director Adam Paterson told carsales that increased demand for the Australian-engineered Navara Warrior and global homologation issues had so far prevented the bigger Patrol Warrior program being formally signed off, raising the prospect it may be delayed until the new Y63 Patrol arrives.

Now, however, Nissan has confirmed that it continues to develop the Patrol Warrior ‘concept’ with local engineering partner Premcar, releasing this teaser image to dealers and media overnight alongside confirmation of a cheaper version of the Navara Warrior.

“I’m thrilled to announce the expansion of the Warrior program, developed in collaboration with Premcar, which has proven immensely popular in Australia,” said Paterson in a statement this morning.

“The Nissan Patrol is also currently under study by Premcar to further broaden its capability, both on and off the road.

“Our collaboration with Premcar is guided by the development of vehicles that are perfectly suited to Australian customers and conditions.”

Nissan says the Patrol Warrior concept “is in development with a series of enhancements being evaluated”.

As this sketch shows, modifications could include increased ground clearance, off-road wheels and tyres, chunky wheel-arch extensions and perhaps even side-exit exhaust outlets under the rear doors.

Inside, Warrior upgrades could include the upgraded infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as seen in the US market’s latest Armada, and black accents to replace the fake woodgrain trim on an otherwise unchanged dashboard.

Similarly up front there’s a blacked-out grille, but no bull bar as per the Navara Warrior, indicating the Patrol Warrior will not be offered with a hoopless, winch-ready and airbag-compatible bull bar.

Just as the homegrown Patrol Warrior is yet to be officially confirmed for release, Nissan has not yet officially announced the new Y63 Armada will be released in the US in late 2023.

But if it’s approved by Nissan HQ in Japan, we understand the Patrol Warrior will become available to Australians sometime next year, while the next-gen Y63 Patrol remains a few years away for markets outside the US.

Until then, sales of what could be the last V8-powered Patrol – including the first Warrior version, which will retain the Y62’s 298kW/560Nm 5.6-litre petrol engine – should continue to boom in markets like the Middle East and Australia.

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