Nissan Launch 2008 Patrol
August 16, 2007 by George Skentzos
The Nissan Patrol wagon is one of the last of a dieing breed. With the trend leaning more toward performance urban 4WD’s, the Patrol stays true to its heritage as a genuine off-road vehicle.
The revised Patrol wagon line-up includes the five-seat DX and seven-seat ST, ST-L and Ti turbo diesel variants and, in petrol form, seven-seat ST, ST-L and Ti models.
Previously only available in a 3.0L turbo-diesel model, the ST will also include the option of a 4.8L petrol-engine as a compromise due to the discontinuation of the ST-S model which previously offered both diesel and petrol variants.
Noticeable upgrades extend as far as chrome door handles and a lighter colour honeycomb in the grille, however behind the scenes the new Patrol will include ABS anti-lock braking to the standard specification of the ST variant.
The TB48 4.8-litre six-cylinder Patrol produces 180kW at 4800rpm, and a hefty 400Nm of torque at 3600rpm, offering easy on-road performance with excellent off-road ability and is fitted as standard with a five-speed automatic transmission incorporating a sequential manual shift mode.
Surprisingly the ZD30 3.0-litre turbo diesel produces less torque than the petrol variant however it serves its 380Nm at a lazy 2,000rpm and also offers excellent fuel economy.
The Patrol offers reassuring safety credentials with driver and passenger airbags standard across the range and now, ABS anti-lock braking standard on all but the base DX turbo diesel model. Whilst the top of the range Ti is also fitted with side airbags for the front seat passengers.
It’s off road credentials are where it shows its true form with the ability to climb a 39-degree gradient and tackle 700mm-deep water crossings. Beam axles with coil springs front and rear allow excellent wheel articulation over the roughest terrain, while the auto-locking front hubs (on ST, ST-L and TI models), long suspension travel and generous ground clearance all contribute to the Patrol’s formidable off-road ability.
With its combination of off-road abilities, refinement, comfort and outstanding value for money, the Nissan Patrol continues as an Australian 4WD icon.
Print it: 
They dropped the 4.2L diesel earlier this year, is there no 6 cyl diesel replacement? So its either 3L 4cyl or 4.8L 6 cyl petrol… It seems the 4cyl is little weak, although the 3L is great in the previous version navara and the petrol will use too much fuel. But it can be put on LPG so theres a plus.
How smart are Nissan!
The new generation Partol with all new donks, suspension etc etc is all ready.
They are waiting for BigT to release its new L/C and then they can immediatly up the ante and fight back!
Its genius i tell ya
Cheers
F-0
This class or vehicle is not rocket science for Nissan (or Toyota for that matter). Make it as indestructable as possible and ensure it can handle extreme Oz 4WD conditions and watch the true believers keep coming back. The added safety features are great and may sway buyers from one make to the other, but buyers of this class of car don’t give a toss about the rest.
And why should they Steve… a genuine off-road/workhorse vehicle needs to be rugged, reliable, dependable and durable and there is certainly engineering expertise required to ensure this all happens while being as safe and comfortable as possible considering intended market of-coarse. The Australian environment can be one of the most unforgiving on earth while Toyota & Nissan has provided us with the most capable of all.
As much as i respect the Patrol, i am concerend how it’s sales will fair in the coming months when Toyota releases the 200 series Cruiser which will be powered by the all new 5.0 v8 petrol donk or the 4.5 V8 turbo/intercooled Diesel. If Nissan only offers the 3.0 ltr then i believe Toyota will probably end up with a greater market share of which Nissan has the capacity to restrict if they utilise matching drivetrains.
I doubt that the LC200 will be a competitor for the Nissan Patrol.
I wouldn’t be surprised if it comes without low range.
But Nissan loves small diesel engines in large cars – 2.5l in the Pathfinder and 3l in the Patrol. These engines are too small for the size of vehicle and the application of the vehicle.
The new Toyota Land Cruiser would be basically the same as the old one in terms of offroad ability. Indeed, it looks basically like the old one with the ‘vibrant clarity’ design language of Toyota.
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/0.....-honduras/
Up at the large end of the scale, the Toyota 4WDs are not the urban runabouts that are the Rav4 and to an extent, the Kluger.
It was also seen testing in the Australian outback. It’s a smart move I guess, seeing as Australia is probably one of the larger markets for the vehicle.
Reckless – don’t take me in a negative way here because i’m not being so but i fail to acknowedge your reasoning behind your statment because the Patrol is the direct competitor to the Cruiser and a damn good one at that. I just can not fathom why Nissan will only offer a 3.0 Diesel against Toyota’s 4.5 V8 example. Like i said, the Patrol is highly regarded unit but it can only directly compete against the Cruiser if it offers a similar capacity engine.
Dingo, the Patrol is currently the direct competitor to the LC100.
If the LC200 arrives without low range, they will no longer be competitive vehicles. The Patrol will then be competing only with the 70 series Toyota, which has no air bags or anything modern.
Then the choice of a tough off road wagon will be very difficult – either an overly thirsty petrol Patrol or a diesel with a small engine of questionable longevity. Or you can have the poverty pack but rugged Toyota, and that doesn’t mean the LC200 which will be a softroader even if it does actually come with low range.
There’s always the Disco diesel…..
I have been a Patrol fan for many years, but after just spending over $15000 on fixing a 3lt TDI that is 7 years and 140k km old, including a blown motor and geabox, I will not be buying another.
According to one of their dealers in WA, Nissan will not have a new diesel until end 2008.
We recently purchased a 3 year old Patrol and after getting a RACV check thought we had done well. 6 months later we are up for $7,500 in repairs due to a faulty fuel injector pump and allegedly missing teeth in the gear box. Our car has been with a Nissan dealer for over 3 weeks and they still cannot determine the extent of repairs required plus despite promises no replacement car is avialable! Wish we had not traded in our trusty old 9 year old Pajero! Would never recommend a Nissasn to anyone!!!
I’m thinking of buying a 2001 Nissan Patrol Auto 3L T-Diesel with 100,000 on the clock to tow a 18ft. Pop_top caravan appreciate constructive feedback.
I currnetly own a patrol 3L turbo diesel and never had a problem at all since 2000 the only downside was that the suspension was a bit too stiff so the I ditched them and replaced with Koni adjustable struts .This gave a 100% comfortability.Last coment is diesel stinks and noisy.Cheers.
After waiting along time telling the wife a new patrol is just around the corner,In 03 we bought a rodeo lt 3L 4wd After heavy mods we had a go anywhere truck, but with 3 growing kids it was time to go ,So we bought a new TI 3l Patrol and its great (Then i heard there was a new 08 model coming and was instanly pissed)So its with great relieaf that all i will miss is chrome door handles.Also Dont now weather to down the diesel/gas aftermarket kit your the steinbeurer/exhuast mod that was so good on the rodeo ?
Hi Mort,just drop a few ideas regarding your question,guess your TI has the Turbo Charger but it is a bit lazy right .My patrol was the same so I got the mechanic to wind it up abit and replaced a bigger exhaust .She breaths a lot better and gave me an extra 30 kw.Impressed.But like I said b4,the smell of that dieselmakes my kids sick every time.So a new TI 4.8L is coming and hope it’ll be better than the the ST.Cheers.
can anyone please tell me that when is nissan changing the shape for nissan patrol?
have just brought new dx 4.2 ti they are a bit sluggish how can i increase performance
Looking to buy a new 4wd to tow a 2200kg caravan.
Have narrowed it down to a Nissan Patrol or Toyota Landcruiser. It will be auto and prefer diesel.
Any opinions and negatives.
I would like buy Nissan Patrol 2004. Please let me know about this engine. It is OK or still not? Has somebody problems? thanks Tom.
Bob, you should have no problems with the Patrol as a tow machine for a 2200Kg van (laden weight I presume). I have a 2003 3 ti auto that I picked up with 80000kl and it now has 121000kl, thats 41000Kl all towing a 22′6″ Compas van with Outback Pack and a loaded up weight of 2450kg, just under the max tow limit for the auto. I live in Ipswich in Qld and often tow up the range via Cuninghams gap or straight up the hill to Toowoomba. They tell me that it is the auto transmission that limits the tow to 2500kg as the manual has over 3000kg
Yes and you would have no problem with a Landcruiser either. Both can handle it. As far as Im concerned they are prity equal… but with Nissans latest Diesel offering I dont think that will be the case in the future, Toyota will take over.
im currently looking to buy a patrol. cool eh! would be nice to have a 4.2td in the new 08. why not…people need towing machines not rice pudding skin pullers.
I have had a few Patrols petrol and diesel. In a few days i will have a new 08 3L St TD, I did look at a new Landcruiser but the differents in price was unbeliveable. The cheepest Landcruiser was 64k this being the the basic model no centeral locking, vinel on the floor one air bag and vinel seats. I realy don’t care about 4.5l TD because at the moment i am driving a 2.8 TD and it has never let me down. I don’t think Toyota will take to much off Nissan because i think people want value for money and Toyota is not value for money.
Well i now have my new patrol and i think that the 3lt crd motor has enough power to pull a 2.5 ton van. It’s not speed machine but has the power to pull ok. nice to drive.
I have had three Patrols and each of them have given great service. My current vehicle is a GUIII 4.2 TDi which I got new in 2003. As with the others I have done many kilometres towing a caravan. Our current van weighs over 2 tonnes and is a tandem axle van. Our last long trip was to Central Australia via Dubbo, Bourke, Charleville, Longreach, Mt Isa to Alice Springs. Out to Ayers Rock and home via Adelaide, central Victoria and central NSW. Average fuel consumption was 15.2 MPG overall. The only mechanical repairs ever needed on any of my Patrol’s was a new front axle seal on my previous GQ 4.2 EFI model. In my opinion, Patrol is the equal of Toyota in reliablility and is far better value for money. I can’t comment on the 3 Litre TDi however I hope that Nissan do bring out a modern 6 Cylinder or V8 TDi soon.
We are looking for a Nissan Patrol to tow a 25′ caravan.Will a 93 4.2 EFI auto do the job?
We have a 2004 ST GUIII 3.0l TD, auto, done 60,000kms. Towed a 2.5tonne camper over 4000kms of dirt mostly corrugated track thru central Australia. Performed beautifully, towed easily. Have never had a mechanical issue with it ever. We love the reliable patrol – about to upgrade to the new 2008 model. Much better value than the L200.
Patrol has been my favourite off road machine. My second patrol however a ZD30 was disappointing. I had my pistons blown last year, it was fixed. I fixed it and did barely 3000km and it went down again. I fixed the turbo charger and didnt do even a 100km. Its damaged again.
But i still love it. But I will go back for my beloved petrol guzzling GRX. I am from Ghana in Africa.
Now I have my second Nissan Patrol 2004-118kW (70000 KM on clock)it is more better then older 3.0Di-116kW (140000 KM on clock. The Nissan every year improve their engine… At this year 2008 will be 100% really good. Don’t buy Nissan Patrol 2000 – 2002 this models has many problems. This engine was cooperation with China motor’s :-) But Nissan Patrol need 6 cylinder. Good luck, see you on desert.
Tom, Czech Rep.
With the nissan patrol. I am hoping they put the 4.5V8 or 5.6V8 from Armada and the new Renault 3.0V6 195kw power and 550nm torque.
The old 4.8 L6 is based off bed ford truck so the engine is old. it is silly putting old antiquated engines in a big 4 wheel drive like the patrol. Sonner the new body comes out the better
Its simple. Don’t buy a 3.0lt diesel patrol. They are a disaster waiting to happen. As for being a rugged dependable 4WD. Not without a LOT of expensive modifications and even then they are a poor compromise. Having to drive the 3.0 lt patrol for work as a 4WD regularly I have found them to be unreliable, uncomfortable, gutless, uneconomical, bordering in on dangerous handling & braking with appalling ride quality & road holding ability. This evaluation has been made over three models and 180,000 klms. Everytime I read a good patrol review I wonder if the writer has ever driven a good 4WD. The best thing about the patrol is knowing it can’t possibly get any worse.
In contrast, the Pajero has a much better diesel. Handling, braking and ride quality can’t be compared. Its problem is ground clearance, easily rectified.
After many 4WD trips into the high country in a non turbo diesel Landcruiser, I know what I’d put my money on. Pajero – better on road in everyway than the patrol, great grey nomad truck.
Landcruiser – Again, better off road than a patrol in everyway.
Patrol – A good boat anchor. A money pit.
Message to Barry and Ben Kujar and Alan Johnston
I have owned a 2001 modle 3ltr turbo diesel for two years now, i bought it with 208,000km on the clock, read its service history etc… now it has 330,000km on the clock, has not missed a beat, not once. I service it myself every 10,000km without fail, oil and oil filter, coolant every 12months, air filter every 3rd oil change, takes an hour each time, no big deal…. so thats 330,000km. you guys have got some serious bad luck or maintenence issues or something, Land Cruiser has my respect however there is no way i would i would waste my vision on a Pajero or any other similar 4×4 designed 70 percent for city driving, take one look at our outback and you will very quickly see just how dominant Land Cruiser and Patrol are, because they are genuine 4×4 proven machines.
we love nissan patrol.and also we love our land pakhtooonkhwa…..from pakhtoonkhwa 39 group kohat
we love OUR LAND PAKHTOONKHWA. PAKHTOONKHWA 39 GROUP KOHAT
Hi
I was looking at buying a friends Nissan Patrol ST 3lt turbo Diesel but it has 208,000 on the clock. She has looked after it very well and not done any towing with it. The asking price is $15,000….is this a good deal? Should I get it?