The image you see here is of the all new 2011 Nissan Patrol which was unveiled recently and is bound for the Middle-East to begin with. It clearly shows the shift of the design directions of the Japanese manufacturer, Nissan. The Nissan Patrol name is synonymous with ruggedness and is considered a legendary off-roader capable of going anywhere, anytime.

Under the banner of “The Hero Comes Home” the Patrol is back as an all-new seventh generation model built on a new platform, showing a radical new design, an enhanced interior comfort and luxury, new V8 engines, a 7-speed automatic transmission and a new 4WD system. According to its design director, the new Patrol is not as edgy and hardcore as its predecessor, it shows softer surfaces that add a sense of modernity to the design equation but still maintaining a ruggedness and commanding road presence.

The interior of the car features now some generous amounts of leather, polished aluminum and wood grain paneling. Nissan decided that customers need a better higher quality interior for the whole family because the car is driven off-road only 15 of the time. The new Patrol offers now over 100mm more legroom for second row passengers and a roomier third row of seats as well.

According to Nissan, the new SUV is now the most powerful vehicle in its class. Why is that? Because the newly developed ‘VK56VD’ 5.6-litre V8 engine with VVEL (variable valve event and lift) and DIG (direct injection gasoline) technologies delivers an impressive 400 hp and 550 Nm of torque. This engine is mated to the new 7-speed automatic transmission with a wider range of gear ratios than its predecessor which gives the off-roader the ability to deliver power faster.

The new Partol also employs a Hydraulic Body Motion Control System (HBMC), which keeps the car flatter with less body roll during lane-changing and cornering, while delivering a comfortable ride in city driving and superb stability on rugged and sandy tracks. The new suspension system, employs now 4-wheel independent suspension and is being upgraded from the previous rigid axle setup.

The newly developed ALL MODE 4×4 system incorporating a variable 4×4 mode package and it allows the driver to switch between four drive modes: sand, on-road, snow and rock, with the flick of a switch. Also, the car features a new Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control which can also be selected easily with the touch of a button. The new model employs a revised Tyre Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) with tyre inflation indicator which beeps the horn softly to inform drivers that a suitable tyre pressure has been reached. The car also offers a new braking system thanks to its new hydraulic brake booster and a 4-piston opposed front caliper setup with larger 358mm front discs.

Well, the all-new 2011 Nissan Patrol seems to be a true contender and competitor for the Toyota Land Cruiser. As mentioned earlier, the Patrol to begin with is just offered in the Middle-East where the rich oil-sheiks can have their part of the fun dune-bashing with this hulk and let’s just hope that Nissan also sees a lucrative market for its Patrol here in India so that Nissan brings it in here for us to write more on this beast in detail.