Wild Y63 Nissan Patrol NISMO confirmed

In a move that potentially means ‘double trouble’ for the Toyota LandCruiser GR Sport, Nissan has confirmed the incoming all-new Y63-generation 2025 Nissan Patrol will include a high-performance NISMO variant – and it could be coming to Australia.

Currently, the Y62 Nissan Patrol NISMO is limited to the Middle East, but global interest means it is likely to be sold further afield in Y63 form.

In Australia that means it could feasibly line up alongside the recently-launched Nissan Patrol Warrior by Premcar – if a Y63 version of that locally-developed model is approved.

The two modified Patrol 4x4 flagships would certainly fit into the line-up cohesively as the NISMO is oriented toward road performance and the Warrior lifts its off-road capability.

They would effectively trap the sports-focused Toyota LandCruiser GR Sport in a pincer movement.

“Patrol Nismo is something we will keep building on,” promised Nissan global product chief and NISMO boss Ivan Espinosa this week.

“It is really well received so it’s something of course we will keep doing. It is a flagship.”

Asked directly about expansion plans beyond the Middle East for the Patrol NISMO, Espinosa responded: “Could be, could be”.

Espinosa is bullish about the potential of the Y63 Patrol, which will trade in its VK56DE 5.6-litre V8 for a twin-turbo petrol V6 engine.

Even before it is formally revealed let alone on sale he has declared Y63 “much better” than the 300 Series Toyota LandCruiser.

Espinosa’s view of the expanded potential of Patrol NISMO was reinforced by global Nissan design boss Alfonso Albaisa, who said he had been surprised by the public’s response to it.

“We made the NISMO here in Japan. That was intentional Nissan motor racing DNA. You feel like things are going to be successful, but that car? You can’t actually find one, and the regions are asking,” Albaisa said.

“I was a bit surprised, to be honest. I felt that it was a very specific animal for very high-speed road conditions, and it’s anti-Patrol in almost every way – it has no ramp angles, it’s a beast, but it’s a little out of context for Patrol.

“But people have seen it and thought that the beast looks good, and they wish they could get one. Obviously it’s very successful, the people are in love with it, and we’re finding a bigger audience than we thought.”

The current Y62 Patrol NISMO is powered by a 320kW/560Nm version of the VK engine – a boost from the standard 298kW output.

It also includes a tuned suspension with Bilstein shocks and a body kit that provides aerodynamic assistance for braking and handling.

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