Nissan elephant bull gets more spec
These types of vehicles are getting fewer in today's market where tech is setting the pace.
THE Nissan Patrol GL is one of few vehicles in which overlanders can cross the border, without fear that some high-tech electronic gadgery will get dirty and bring their trip to an abrupt halt in a cloud of dust.
These types of vehicles are getting fewer in today’s market where tech is setting the pace.
Now Nissan SA has upgraded its lone elephant bull in its line-up with some changes to the interior, while also handing it more standard equipment.
Built for Africa
The cabin now features full grain leather upholstery on all five seats.
The front seats furthermore feature electric adjustment.
There are also new brushed aluminium and wood-grain finishes on the two-tone dashboard, which houses an in-car entertainment system featuring a six-disc in-dash CD changer with full colour navigation.
The GL now also boasts dual-zone climate control as standard, bringing closer to the range-topping 4.8-litre GRX model in terms of specification.
Under the big bonnet the 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine remains, delivering 118kW at 3600rpm and 371Nm at 2000rpm.
The engine delivers power to the rear wheels in 2WD mode and to all four in both low- and high-range 4WD mode.
The Nissan Patrol is equipped with heavy-duty springs, telescopic front and rear shocks for 240mm suspension travel, and solid front and rear axles.
Both versions of the Patrol Station Wagon have a rear lockable diff and automatic locking hubs with the option of a manual override.
The 3.0 TD Patrol has a five-speed manual gearbox with a high- and low-range transfer case.
500 ppm diesel
Graeme Birch, Marketing General Manager at Nissan SA had this to say about the Patrol wagon: ‘Competitor offerings in this very technical segment of the off-road market have always created the impression that toughness is synonymous with a sparse and Spartan interior.
We have changed that with the Patrol 3.0 GL, which now also features cruise control and a sun roof for the same price.’
There are many other unseen benefits to owning a Patrol.
No other vehicle in this segment has a six-year/150 000km warranty and a five-year/90 000km service plan.
‘What should also be mentioned is that the Patrol is compatible with 500 ppm diesel, which means that overland adventurers can comfortably venture across the border without lugging their fuel with them,’ said Birch.
The Patrol GL wagon sells for R619 900.
