Nissan launches Patrol Desert Edition at Dubai International Motor Show
The 13th Dubai International Motor Show has been the venue where Nissan has announced the world premiere launch of its Nissan Patrol Desert Edition that has been developed in partnership with UAE Rally Champion, Dr Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA Vice President and President of the Automobile and Touring Club UAE, specifically for regional consumers. The global debut of the Nissan Patrol Desert Edition showcases the Japanese auto maker’s strong commitment to deliver tailored models for customers in the region. It follows a GCC research study that showed demand for a bespoke version of the Nissan Patrol that takes its already legendary off-roading abilities to even greater heights.
Speaking more on the occasion, Samir Cherfan, Managing Director of Nissan Middle East, said “At Nissan we have a strong commitment to the region and are believers in understanding the specific demands of our Middle East customers. We received resounding feedback calling for even more luxury and performance, both on the road and off it. We are therefore extending our range with some extremely special, bespoke versions of the Nissan Patrol. With the world premiere launch of the Nissan Patrol Desert Edition at the Dubai International Motor Show we are delivering a tailored vehicle that fits our regional customers’ requirements.”
A regional research survey, conducted by Nissan in 2014, also highlighted that its GCC customers have demanded an even more luxurious and sporty version of the Nissan Patrol. This has indeed led to the development of the newly revealed Nissan Patrol NISMO, would be on sale before the end of its fiscal year. The Patrol NISMO will be priced from $100,470 USD in the UAE. Prices would vary region wise.
Adding further, Samir Cherfan said, “It gives me great pleasure to share the price and availability details for the iconic Patrol NISMO. The Nissan Patrol already occupies a unique place in the hearts and minds of off-road enthusiasts in the Middle East. With the addition of both the NISMO version and the Desert Edition, Nissan is engaging directly with its customers and delivering incredible vehicles that fit their exact requirements”.
With a continued focus on ‘Innovation that Excites’, Nissan also used the Dubai International Motor Show to announce its partnership with Etisalat. Headed by Nissan, and powered by Etisalat’s network and M2M Control Center Platform, the ‘Nissan SmartCar’ application enables customers to control key features of their car using their phone, a first for the region. Owners of the Nissan Patrol MY16 and all-new Nissan Maxima 2016 will be able to turn on the AC, lock and unlock their cars remotely and track them, among other capabilities. ‘Nissan SmartCar’ will offer the ultimate in convenience, security and control.
To add to its packed agenda, Nissan Middle East also showcased the world premiere launch of it “Nissan Patrol: The Movie” experience, where visitors get the chance to star in their own action movie, featuring the 2016 Patrol. Visitors are coached by a director to complete unique shots in front of a special green screen, before exiting to receive their personalized trailers and movie posters. For those still fancying their five minutes of fame, the “Nissan Patrol: The Movie” experience will be available to all visitors throughout the Dubai International Motor Show at Nissan’s outdoor stand located in the courtyard next to Sheikh Saeed Hall Entrance.
Nissan Middle East’s indoor stand is packed with an exciting range of vehicles that appeal to this region’s love of engineering excellence, cutting-edge design and true value for money. In addition to both the NISMO range and the Nissan Patrol Desert Edition, the all-new Nissan Maxima is also taking center stage. The complete Nissan range includes the MY2016 versions of the Nissan Patrol, 370Z, Altima, Juke, Pathfinder, Pathfinder Hybrid, Sentra, Sunny and X-Trail.
In addition, Nissan is providing a wide array of engaging stand activities using the latest in interactive technology. These include a UEFA Champions League Penalty Shoot-out Challenge, the GT-R Racing game where visitors will play using their mobile devices and fun Z-elfie booth that will capture exciting motoring moments. There will also be an opportunity to take part inthe first interactive after-sales experience, which will visually represent the importance of using genuine Nissan parts and the effects of non-genuine parts on a vehicles performance, safety and resale value.
“Nissan goes from strength to strength, not only in this region but around the world,” says Cherfan. “We engage with our customers and the result is an astounding range of models that appeal to everyone, no matter what their requirements are. With the embracing of new technologies, Nissan will continue to be at the forefront of this great industry.”
Nissan Patrol Desert Edition Unveiled
Dubai International Motor Show has finally kicked off with the Media day, car manufacturers from around the world have flocked to show off their latest additions of Sport Cars, SUVs, Sedan’s, Hatchbacks and Crossovers. We’ve got loads of information to share with you over the next couple of days so stay tuned. First off, Nissan has unveiled their new Patrol alongside their NISMO tuned SUV, this one dubbed Desert Edition.
Built specifically for the region, it features all new equipment to tackle the great dunes of Big Red, Fossil Rock or even Wadi Bashing in Hatta. Front and rear skid plates have been added underneath to further protect the bumpers, axles and most importantly engine. Over fenders have been added to the wheel arches for a more aggressive posture and underneath said wheel arches are 18-inch bead-lock wheels allowing drivers to lower the pressure and not having to worry about the rubber coming off.
There also is a specially designed suspension tuned by none other than local racing hero Dr. Mohammed Bin Sulayem, who is also an international rally champion as well. This suspension is suited specifically for dune bashing. A “Desert Edition” badge has been placed on the rear tailgate complete with the rally champion’s signature.
It is also packed with standard features found on road going variants such as parking sensors, navigation, Bluetooth pairing, eight seats, multiple cameras scattered around the exterior, roof rails and powered seats plus a whole lot more. There are some additional features exclusive to this model: a desert flag for offroad driving, built-in tire inflator complete with a hose mounted in the rear, kinetic rope and sand ramp.
The engine is mounted up front as usual and is an 8 cylinder 5.6 litre with direct fuel injection. It produces a respectable 400 horsepower and power is sent via a seven-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels. 0-100km/h is estimated at less than 7.5 seconds and can reach a top speed of over 200 km/h.
Only one exterior option is available for the time being which is White Pearl QAB and two cloth options are available to cover the seats which are Beige and Black.
Pricing for the Desert Edition starts at $69,430 in the UAE. This is one of three special edition Nissan Patrol’s to be launched with the first being the Nissan Patrol Nismo and the third being a Nissan Patrol Black Edition. Its launch comes in at perfect timing, as Toyota have recently launched their mighty 2016 Land Cruiser. We’ve yet to hear if Toyota could potentially launch a special edition of the Land Cruiser, however that’s all speculation for the time being.
No date for Nissan Patrol Desert Edition’s has been set in stone and pricing has been kept on the down low for now. Keep an eye on Dubicars in the near future on is bound to show up for sale. If you just can’t wait for the Desert Edition you can check out all new Nissan Patrol and used Nissan Patrol listings in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
Motoring Middle East: Car news, Reviews and Buying guides
You know it’s been a good year for a car company when they decide to commission not one, but two exclusive editions for our region. The first was the faster, sharper NISMO patrol; this Desert Edition is the second.
Click below to watch my video from the launch drive in Liwa.
Unlike the NISMO Patrol which is built in Japan, the Desert Edition is put together here in the UAE, using a base LE 400bhp as a starting point. Local rally champ Dr Mohammed Ben Sulayem, whose name graces the desert edition, has conducted more than 4200km of testing to help refine the perfect feel from the reservoir shocks, built by rally specialist HT.
Though the car does not have any additional lift, the Desert Edition does boast a bounty of extra kit: 6mm skid plates front and rear, a standard NAV system, a locally-fitted onboard air compressor for quickly airing up tires, a flag so you can be seen in the dunes, overfenders for chunky offroad looks, and interestingly, beadlock wheels, custom built by Hutchinson for the Patrol.
Some of you may not know what the fuss is about beadlock wheels. To understand why, you need to think about what happens when you take a car into the dunes. You can’t just drive in with full tyre pressures: your car would sink up to its axles.
Desert driving is all about spreading the weight and floating on top of the dunes; that’s why you air the tires down to about half road pressures to increase the contact patch. Air down too little and you won’t get any traction; air down too much and you run the risk of unseating the tyre off the rim, a disastrous turn of events.
With the Patrol’s beadlock rims, the tyre is clamped onto the wheel so you can air the tires to even sub-10 psi levels safely. At those low pressures, the car drives effortlessly on the sand, the additional grip translating into lower engine revs too.
Not that the Patrol is lacking in grunt. 400bhp from a 5.6-litre V8 means the 2.7-tonne Desert Edition effortlessly makes big climbs in the towering Liwa dunes. It’s a grunty engine that’s well matched to the slick shifting seven-speed automatic, though I wish Nissan had added paddles for the Desert Edition, instead of relying on pushing/pulling the transmission lever. Not easy to remember which way is up when you’re climbing eight-storey dunes…
Most of the addons are cosmetic in nature and even the beadlock wheels aren’t really being utilised on our drive: tyre pressures are a conservative 15psi. No, what you’re paying for is the uprated suspension, and it’s good! On the dunes the stiffer shocks can handle drops and bumps without grounding out; on road they’re definitely stiffer than stock and provide a grainer ride, but it’s not unpleasant, just more talkative.
For real experts, there’s an optional ABS killswitch. As the name implies, it disables all ABS functions in the sand at the press of a button. You might want this since ABS can get confused on sand and hamper smooth brake application; however to get the switch you’ll have to sign a waiver absolving Nissan of any responsibility since you’re disabling an active safety system.
Verdict
The regular LE rings up the register at AED219k; for the Desert Edition addons Nissan is asking AED255,000. 36k may seem like a steep figure, especially considering you can buy the same or better parts cheaper from aftermarket sources.
Buying it from Nissan, however, means that your all-important manufacturer warranty remains intact. And besides, at only 200 units for the region, it’s going to be quite a rare sight on our roads. The ultimate version of the Patrol? On the basis of this first drive, it’s certainly the best one yet.
2016 Nissan Patrol Desert Edition (MBS) – The Specs
Price: AED255,000 (US$69.4k)
Engine: 5.6-litre V8, 400bh, 410lb ft
Performance: 0-100kph 8.0secs, 200kph + (all est)
Transmission: 7-speed auto, four-wheel drive
Weight: 2795kg