Y63 generation brings new engine, new tech, new ambition.

COMMONALITY between Nissan’s most famous performance car and its largest off-road product now exists - and will be available to Kiwis early next year.

The order book is now open for the Y63 Patrol, whose long list of fresh-to-type equipment includes an engine that has until now been the preserve of the other kind of four-wheel-drive car Nissan was known for: The GT-R.

Switching to the sports coupe’s 3.5-litre V6 and away from its iconic 5.8-litre V8 is the largest of a raft of firsts for the Patrol.

As much as the loss of to cylinders might be lamented, it is nonetheless of benefit for those who like their large land lugger to have a spring in it’s step.

The Patrol application ups power by six percent to 317kW, with torque boosted by 25 percent to 700Nm – an immense 140Nm more than its predecessor.

Nissan also promises it will deliver the torque lower in the rev range, as well as running a scavenger oil pump to ensure everything stays lubricated when the vehicle is put through the most challenging terrain.

The fresh engine is mated to a new nine-speed automatic transmission, with the combination producing sharper throttle response than the 5.6-litre V8 in the Y62.

Nissan New Zealand hasn’t yet issued pricing or full specification details for the updated Patrol, but in respect to the latter it seems Nissan NZ will be able to pick from a well-stocked platter, as big brother market Australia is picking up several variants.

At least the flagship is down for another first in the form of adaptive air suspension, which changes the Patrol’s ride height to suit the conditions as it works hand in hand with Nissan’s Intelligent Dynamic Damping tech.

In addition to rising while off-road to give the driver extra clearance, and better breakover and departure angles, the system also helps with fuel consumption and ride comfort by automatically lowering ride height at speeds above 90kmh, then raising it again once the speedo dips below 70kmh.

The Y63 will drop further still when put into Park so passenger exit, entry, and loading/unloading cargo become less of a hassle.

Y63 models have ‘biometric cooling’. That’s facility to tracking the occupants’ temperatures as soon as they enter and adjusting the climate control automatically when the vehicle is started.

A massage function for the front chairs and ‘zero-gravity’ seats available front and back are fronting, it is also the first Patrol with a heads-up display. That’s in addition to the new addition of a big central screen, with some variants coming equipped with dual 14.3-inch screens.

The primary rival is the $146,990–$166,990 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series, which lacks many of the new Patrol’s features.