Nissan has just launched its sport-focused NISMO sub-brand in the United Arab Emirates (UEA), a market with a notoriously large appetite for high-end sports cars. To celebrate the occasion, the Japanese car maker has introduced a sportier version of the gargantuan Patrol SUV that benefits from NISMO’s go-fast treatment.
For those who need a brief refresher course, the Patrol is a body-on-frame seven-seater SUV that has historically competed head-to-head against the Toyota Land Cruiser. It’s not part of the Nissan lineup in the United States, but Infiniti sells a re-badged (and luxed-up) version of the off-roader dubbed QX80.
The first-ever NISMO-tuned Patrol gains a 5.6-liter V8 engine that makes 428 horsepower, 28 more than the regular-production model. The eight-cylinder is bolted to an automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels. Performance figures aren’t available yet, but a 28-pony bump likely won’t have a major effect on performance because the behemoth tips the scale at approximately 6,000 pounds.
In a bid to mask the Patrol’s practicality-focused roots, Nissan has added a more responsive steering system and an all-new suspension setup that includes Blistein shock absorbers.
Outside, the Patrol immediately stands out thanks to a new front bumper with a wide air dam, horizontal LED daytime running lights, and a red splitter, a look that’s directly inspired by the track-oriented GT-R and 370Z coupes. Other add-ons include black mirror caps, side skirts, a new rear bumper with a built-in diffuser and a pair of round exhaust tips, and a sprinkling of NISMO emblems on both ends. 22-inch alloy wheels complete the sporty look.
Inside, the truck gets two-tone black and white leather upholstery on the seats and on the door panels, red stitching, and a NISMO-specific instrument cluster with a red tachometer.
The Nissan Patrol NISMO is on sale now in the UAE, but pricing information and availability haven’t been announced yet. Although the tweaked off-roader might also be offered in a handful of neighboring countries, don’t expect to see a NISMO-tuned version of the Infiniti QX80 land in North American showrooms anytime soon.
