2026 Nissan Patrol Nismo: Souped-up SUV revealed, a chance for Australia

7NEWS

3 days ago

The new Y63-series Nissan Patrol has received the Nismo treatment, and it's more than just an aesthetic makeover.
Revealed overnight in Dubai, the 2026 Nissan Patrol Nismo receives sportier steering, Vehicle Dynamic Control and suspension tuning, plus a higher-output tune of the new Y63's twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre petrol V6.
This produces 369kW of power, up 52kW on the regular Patrol, and an unchanged 700Nm of torque in sport mode. That makes this the highest-output tune for Nissan's VR35DDTT engine.
Nissan also promises a more pronounced exhaust note, and says the cabin's Active Sound Enhancement system 'enriches this sound profile'.
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The Patrol Nismo continues to use a nine-speed automatic transmission, though Nissan says this too has been recalibrated.
The recalibrated suspension system features Nismo-tuned E-Dampers that automatically adjust damping levels in real-time.
The sporty full-size SUV will reach dealers in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in July 2025.
Nissan Australia wouldn't confirm if we'd be getting the Patrol Nismo, but it has left the door open.
'It's very exciting to see the unveil of Y63 Patrol NISMO,' said a company spokesperson.
'Australia is confirmed as the first right-hand drive market for Y63 Patrol with orders due to open in late 2026. We will confirm specification closer to the launch.'
Nissan says the Patrol Nismo was 'explicitly developed through extensive customer insights from the region'.
The visual makeover is extensive. It rides on 22-inch forged alloy wheels co-developed with RAYS, said to be 23 per cent lighter than the base wheels and wrapped in high-performance tyres, while there's a new front bumper design that channels cool air to the brakes.
It has received an extensive aerodynamic package including layered air diffusers and side air splitters.
Up front, a restyled grille has air curtains on each side to divide airflow horizontally. The front spoiler also has a cross-section that acts as an air splitter.
Other visual enhancements include Nismo's signature red accents, plus a Formula E-inspired rear fog light.
The range-topping Patrol is also available in an exclusive new Stealth Grey exterior finish, joining White Pearl, Black Pearl, Grey Metallic and Blue Metallic. These are all available with a contrasting black roof.
The Patrol Nismo is 90mm longer and 40mm wider than the standard Patrol.
Nissan talks extensively of the Patrol Nismo's high-speed stability and cornering capability, but less so about off-road ability.
Naturally, ground clearance has taken a hint – it sits 49mm lower than the standard Y63 Patrol. That makes it less effective off-road, with approach, breakover and departure angles all lower than the regular SUV.
Inside, there's a black-and-red colour scheme, with contrast stitching across the dashboard, seats, steering wheel and doors, plus decorative red, carbon-fibre and metallic finishes, and a mixture of leather and suede trim.
You press a red start/stop button, and press down on aluminium accelerator and brake pedals.
The seats feature a honeycomb quilting pattern, matching the mesh of the grille, as well as embroidered Nismo logos and red seat belts.
There's still seating for eight people in total.
Here's how the Patrol Nismo compares with the regular Patrol on paper:
While the Y63 Patrol is already on sale in the Middle East and North America (where it's known as the Armada), it's still some way away from an Australian berth.
Orders open locally late in 2026, ahead of first customer deliveries in 2027.
To tide our market over for the new generation, Nissan recently gave the existing Y62 Patrol an extensive interior makeover, aligning it with facelifted left-hand drive examples of the current Patrol/Armada.