Staff Reporter
The new Nissan Patrol is that rare vehicle that’s impressive on paper and on any road. It’s the epitome of progressive Nissan Intelligent Mobility technology, supreme performance and unrivalled luxury.
The new SUV features Intelligent Blind Spot Intervention that alerts the driver of a vehicle in the adjacent lane during lane changes. It also has sensors to keep a safe following distance using radar sensors to adjust the vehicle’s speed in relation to the vehicle ahead.
Intelligent Emergency Braking helps avoid collisions by detecting the distance of the preceding vehicle and activating the brakes, if necessary. Then there is the Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, which is a feature whereby sensors analyse the relative velocity of the preceding vehicle as well as the vehicle in front of the preceding one. If the system detects potential risks, it alerts the driver to slow down with visual and audible alerts, and will also tighten the seat belt.
Another feature is the Intelligent Smart Rear-View Mirror, which is a system that uses a built-in LCD monitor to display images from a camera mounted at the rear of the vehicle to negate the inherent limitations of a standard rear-view mirror.
The car has a host of sensors and technological features. And with a price tag of more than N$1.3 million it should.
The Patrol is powered by a robust high-tech 5.6-litre V8 petrol engine that develops 298kW of power and 560Nm of torque. This energetic powerhouse is mated to a silky smooth 7-speed automatic gearbox that uses variable valve technology to deliver seamless performance whenever it’s needed. It can trundle along quite happily in gridlocked traffic and when the opportunity presents itself, the Patrol will produce a prodigious amount of energy to power its 3.5 tons in a short amount of time.
The Patrol has what it takes to support your larger-than-life adventures with an impressive towing capacity of 3.5 tons and a 140-litre fuel tank.
The new Direct Injection Gas system provides better throttle performance, improved fuel economy and advanced emissions performance (versus a non-direct-injection system) by reducing engine knock, improving combustion stability and offering precise injection control. A Multi-Control Valve (MCV) assists in managing the engine’s thermal efficiency better than a traditional thermostat.
The 7-speed automatic transmission with Adaptive Shift Control and Downshift Rev Matching features a new design that helps enhance fuel efficiency through use of its wider gear ratios and Automatic Transmission Fluid warmer.
Responsive braking is provided by a 4-wheel disc brake system with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. Also standard is ABLS (Active Brake Limited Slip) and a Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system. Steering is provided by an engine-speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system.
The exclusive Bose audio system features AM/FM/MP3/CD with 13 speakers, a subwoofer and digital amplifier to provide rich acoustics. The Patrol comes standard with the 3D Nissan Navigation System and a multi-screen DVD entertainment system with screens fitted into the headrests of both front seats.
The centre console has a 12-volt power outlet and the Patrol has nine cup holders, four bottle holders, a sunroof, power door locks with illuminated switches and an anti-lockout system with auto door lock speed-sensing function, Nissan Intelligent Key with Push Button Start and Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System.
The Patrol is backed up by Nissan Assured and has a class-leading 6-year/150,000km warranty, and a comprehensive 3-year/90,000km service plan.