Computer illustrations of a stretched double-cab ute version of the Patrol four-wheel-drive wagon have renewed calls for a full-size pick-up for Nissan Australia.
Computer-generated images of a Nissan Patrol double-cab ute have sparked the imaginations of Nissan fans who are eager for a full-size pick-up to rival the likes of the Ram 1500 and Chevrolet 1500.
The full-size pick-up market is enjoying record growth in Australia, with Ram and Chevrolet selling record numbers locally – and with Ford announcing plans to bring the F-150 here from next year.
Nissan Australia has previously flagged interest in a local factory-backed conversion program for the US-made Nissan Titan – similar to the Ram and Chevrolet operations done by the Walkinshaw Automotive Group – but this thought bubble appears to have lost momentum.
With that in mind, is there a more compelling case for Nissan to spin off a ute variant of the Patrol?
It makes sense from a historical point of view – the current Y62 is the first generation of Patrol not available as a ute.
It’s worth noting Nissan has not indicated in any way that this Patrol ute could be a possibility. These are illustrations by a car enthusiast with computer skills.
However, after seeing these images, we think the idea has merit.
The 2022 Nissan Patrol measures 1995mm wide and 1955mm high, which is a close comparison to a Ford F-150 (2029mm wide and 2014mm high).
The wheelbase would need to be stretched to suit the application. Around 3600mm of wheelbase – 525mm longer than the Nissan Patrol in standard form (3075mm) – would suit nicely.
And while this wheelbase would be a little shorter than the F-150, it would mimic Australian tastes in terms of the local preferences – according to established conversion businesses like Creative Conversions, DMW Industries and ASG 4X4.
The gross vehicle mass would need to be upgraded to accommodate a large payload. It would need to be around the 3800kg mark, putting the Patrol ute into the light truck category.
But this would also deliver the future-proofing benefit of side-stepping crash safety laws, as is the case with the recent Toyota LandCruiser 70 update.
The Patrol’s 5.6-litre naturally-aspirated petrol V8 – smooth and old-school – matches the Ford F-150 for power (298kW). However, 560Nm pales in comparison to the 678Nm Nm offered by Ford’s twin-turbocharged Ecoboost 3.5-litre petrol V6.
Perhaps wishing for the Titan’s discontinued Cummins 5.0-litre diesel V8 (231kW/752Nm) is one step too far in this case, which we feel would have been a great fit for the Australian market.
For now, all we can do is dream.
The post Nissan Patrol ute imagined, now to get it into Australian showrooms appeared first on Drive.
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