Work has begun on next Nissan Patrol

An all-new Nissan Patrol is being readied to replace the nine-year old Y62 model, it has been revealed.

Speaking to journalists at the recent Tokyo motor show Nissan design chief Alfonso Albaisa said his team had begun work on a number of high-profile models and namechecked the full-size SUV as one of them.

"We have such meaning in the portfolio," referring to the Japanese car-maker's back catalogue of iconic, well-received models.

“We have the Nissan Patrol. It’s one of the oldest names in the world. It is 70 years old. It is one of the longest lasting names. This is going to come our way and what an honour to do that.

“GT-R. Z-car. Next Murano. Qashqai. These are icons.”

Until now, there had been no word on a replacement for the current Y62 Patrol, which was launched in 2010 and will next month receive a major facelift (pictured) in an attempt to keep it fresh just months before the sixth-generation Patrol celebrates its 10th birthday.

Perhaps more remarkably, in some markets the previous fifth-generation Y61 Patrol is also still available, despite first going on sale back in 1997.

It's unclear if the new model, likely to be called the Y63 Series, will replace both the current and previous models.

Tipped to be developed alongside the current Mitsubishi Pajero, which dates back to 2006, the next Patrol is expected to share its all-new architecture, electrics and powertrain with its alliance partner.

A closely-related replacement for the Infiniti QX80 – which is based heavily on the Patrol – is also likely to be offered.

Albaisa didn't shed light on how the new Patrol is shaping up, but it's thought the large SUV will continue to sell on its toughness, appealing in markets like the Middle East, North American and Australia.

It's also thought the big Nissan SUV will stick with a ladder-frame chassis, possibly shared with the next-gen Titan pick-up truck.

This could pose a problem for fellow Alliance brand Mitsubishi, since a body-on-frame construction will be perceived as a backward step for the Pajero, which moved to a unibody construction for the fourth-gen model.

And Mitsubishi – like Nissan, whose Navara-based Terra SUV remains unconfirmed for Australia – already has a large SUV based on a rugged ladder frame, the Triton-based Pajero Sport.

Also likely for the next Patrol is the move from a powerful 298kW 5.6-litre V8 to a smaller capacity turbocharged petrol engine -- possibly a V6 -- that should produce both more power and torque while being significantly more efficient.

But it’s unclear if Nissan will finally see fit to offer the new Patrol with diesel power – something its only direct rival, the all-conquering Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series, is now available exclusively with.

More use of lighter materials, meanwhile, could slash up to 500kg from the heavyweight's near 2800kg kerb weight.

Thanks to the new electrical architecture, the next Patrol will also feature Nissan’s latest ProPILOT semi-autonomous cruise control.

In Australia the Patrol has staged a remarkable resurgence in popularity in recent years, with sales rising from just 916 in 2017, to 1259 in 2018 and 1356 so far in 2019 – up 47 per cent.

If work has already begun on designing the new model, the new Nissan Patrol could emerge as soon as 2022.