Nissan to slash Patrol pricing
Release of new Infiniti QX80 flagship to be accompanied by hefty Patrol price cutsNissan Australia will cut prices of its flagship Patrol SUV significantly by mid-year, when Infiniti Australia finally launches its sister model, the QX80.
Infiniti's top-shelf, Patrol-based luxury SUV, the QX80, has been an on-off proposition Down Under since mid-2013, when it gained Australian Design Rule compliance but was subsequently delayed from local release.
Nissan Australia CEO Richard Emery was cool on the idea of releasing the Infiniti QX80 as recently as a year ago, but motoring.com.au has learned the full-size luxury SUV will be released in July, by which time pricing of the closely related Nissan Patrol will be reduced.
Emery confirmed the QX80's July release and the Patrol's "repositioning" to motoring.com.au today.
He would not comment further but we understand more details will be announced on May 1 and that the Patrol's price cuts will be significant. Currently, the Y62 Patrol is priced between $82,690 and $114,490.
It's understood the move was made partly to cash in on growing demand for luxury SUVs in Australia, and because Infiniti would otherwise not have any new model releases this year.
While there will also be a facelift for the Q70 large sedan this year, the QX80 will be followed next year by the new Q60 coupe, all-new Q30 compact hatch and all-new QX30 compact SUV.
Expect the QX80 to be priced to compete with its only direct competitor, the Toyota LandCruiser 200-based Lexus LX570 (from $134,700).
The QX80 was facelifted last year and sells in relatively big numbers in the US, where the seven-seat four-wheel drive wagon is offered exclusively with a 5.6-litre petrol V8 developing 298kW and 560Nm and available only with a seven-speed automatic transmission.
In US-spec, the QX80 rides on 20- or 22-inch alloy wheels, depending on grade, and offers a standard equipment list that includes heated leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, 13-speaker BOSE audio system, tri-zone climate-control, remote start, powered tailgate, foglights, sunroof, xenon headlights and Bluetooth connectivity.
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