Nissan takes axe to Patrol V8 prices

Nissan Australia has announced price cuts of up to $27,500 for its Y62 Patrol, just as we anticipated it would last month.

The big 5.6-litre petrol V8-powered SUV range has been culled to just two variants and is now available from just $69,990 plus on-road costs – or about $77,424 drive-away – which is $12,700 less than its previous starting price.

However, following the discontinuation of the former entry-level ST-L variant (previously $82,690 plus ORCs), the sub-$70,000 base price now applies to the Ti, which was previously the mid-range model, meaning the Ti is a whole $23,400 cheaper than before.

Meantime, the range-topping Ti-L now costs $86,990 plus ORCs (or about $95,308 drive-away) – down a mammoth $27,500 from its previous price of $114,490.

On sale from early July, the price cuts – which Nissan says reflects actual transaction prices of the Y62 Patrol first launched here in February 2013 – are accompanied by a significant improvement in specification and value.

All Patrol V8s now come standard with Off-Road Monitor, which provides information on steering angle, tyre slip and tyre pressure as well as a compass, and Traffic Monitoring System, which provides real-time traffic updates to help avoid delays, integrated into the navigation system.

Also standard on the now-base Ti are Hydraulic Body Motion Control (HBMC) suspension, leather-accented seats, satellite-navigation, Around View Monitor and Tyre Pressure Monitor System.

There are no mechanical changes, meaning the 298kW/560Nm VK56VD petrol V8 with seven-speed automatic continue alongside the Nissan All-Mode 4x4 system with electronic 4WD selection, while Patrol Ti and Ti-L continue to offer eight- and seven-seat capacity respectively.

However, one improvement is the new gearshift lever position, which is now moved to the right-hand side of the centre console closer to driver, while new exterior paint colours include Ivory Pearl and Gun Metallic, replacing Alpine White and Precision Grey respectively. Prestige paint remains extra.

Apart from addressing low sales, the Patrol price cuts are also designed to make way for its mechanical twin, the Infiniti QX80, which launches later this month and should be available in a single specification priced to compete with the Lexus LX 570 ($134,700).