Nissan has taken the wraps off the all-new 7^th generation Nissan Patrol. The car is not expected to arrive in Australia this year but the left hand drive variant was revealed in Abu Dhabi. That vehicle was fitted with a 5.6 litre petrol V8. Australia is the lead market for the right hand drive version.

“The vehicle itself is a break-through in performance and development,” said Nissan Australia's Dan Thompson, speaking about Patrol at the launch of the new Nissan 370Z Roadster in New Zealand last week. “We are still working on specifications for the Australian market,” he said.

A release date for Australia with more details of specifications – including engine options – is expected to be made in mid-2010, said Mr Thompson. Patrol is recognised as a legendary off-roader and a cheaper option to the only other contender in the heavy 4WD segment, Toyota's Land Cruiser. Patrol was the first vehicle to cross Australia's Simpson Desert in 1962. The launch in the middle east was themed to the `Hero Comes Home' with that region, like Australia, being a key market for the rugged off-roader.

The new Patrol has at least two new petrol V8 engines – no word yet on the diesel – a seven speed automatic transmission, and a new 4WD system. “We paid special attention to the needs of current Patrol owners, and their passengers, and so focused on creating first class levels of comfort for the whole family,” said Hiroyuki Fushiki, Patrol project head, speaking at the Abu Dhabi launch.

“Heightened luxury, a roomier cabin and quieter ride combine to achieve this goal, while maintaining Patrol's superior off-road heritage,” he said. Some 200 prototypes were tested at Nissan's proving grounds before real-world testing in the middle east in desert, rocky surfaces, highway an dinner-city traffic conditions. Nissan has softened the previous models `hard-core' external appearance moving the shape closer to that off sibling X-Trail. “The softer, new surfaces are beautiful and add a sense of modernity to the design equation, while still maintaining a ruggedness and commanding road presence, said Nissan design director.

The interior features leather, polished aluminium and wood-grain panelling. The front seats are higher, wider and deeper and there's more than 100mm extra leg room for rear seat passengers, and a roomier third row of seats. Lateral chassis rigidity has been doubled. The V8 specified for the middle east market has direct injection with variable valve event and lift technology. Nissan revealed the engine had a massive 560 Nm of torque for the top-end version of this engine.

The company has also moved to improve Patrol's ride by use of Hydraulic Body Motion Control that flattens out the vehicle body during lane changing and cornering. Off-road it gives greater stability on rough tracks. Patrol now has four wheel independent suspension, upgraded from the previous rigid axle system.

The 4WD system is a newly-developed ALL MODE 4x4 system incorporating a variable 4x4 package. This allows the driver to quickly switch between four drive modes: sand, on-road, snow and rock. Nissan claim in `sand' mode owners are able to drive safely, quickly and skilfully in sand and dirt. The vehicle is also fitted with Hill Start Assist as well as Hill Descent Control. Downhill speeds of 7 km/h in high range and 4 km/h in low range are maintained. Other innovations for Patrol include six airbags for the top spec vehicle, new multi-screen DVD's fitted into the rear of the front headrests for second row passengers, a curtain-vent climate control system that acts as a barrier to heat coming into the vehicle and a cool box mounted in the centre console. Pricing and specifications for Australia have not been released.