Infiniti concept could preview next Nissan Patrol - report

Infiniti is taking the wraps off a new concept called the QX80 Monograph this year, and it could give us a look at the next Nissan Patrol.

CarBuzz reports confirmation from Infiniti’s senior director of operations, Bob Welby, the concept will be revealed in June.

The current QX80, sold here until Infiniti’s local withdrawal, is closely related to the Patrol, differing predominantly in front- and rear-end and dashboard design.

The Monograph name has also been used on past Infiniti concepts that have previewed production models: the 2017 QX80 Monograph previewed the full-sized SUV’s 2018 facelift, while the 2020 QX60 Monograph concept previewed the production QX60.

While Mr Welby didn’t share any further details, confirmation of a QX80 Monograph concept suggests a new generation – and, ergo, a new Patrol – is waiting in the shadows.

The current Patrol and QX80 have been in production since 2010, with the latter having received two facelifts.

It’s unclear whether this will be an extensive rework of the existing vehicle, much like the Nissan Z was derived from the 370Z, or whether we can expect to see a new platform.

What appeared to be a mule of the next-generation Patrol was spied testing earlier this year.

Previous reports have suggested the next Patrol – or Armada, as it’s known in some markets – will lose its naturally aspirated V8 for a twin-turbo V6 engine.

Nissan has also confirmed its e-Power hybrid technology can be applied to large SUVs like the Patrol.

V8 engines have been disappearing from the largest body-on-frame SUVs, both here and in North America.

The Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and its Lexus LX sibling, as well as the North American-focused Toyota Sequoia, have all lost their V8 engines.

One of the Nissan Armada’s key rivals in the US, the Ford Expedition, lost its V8 years ago in favour of a turbocharged V6, while the new extended-length Jeep Wagoneer L and Grand Wagoneer L use a new boosted inline six instead of the venerable Hemi V8.

The current Y62 Patrol first went on sale in Australia in 2013 (though debuted globally in 2010), and underwent a significant exterior facelift in 2019 for the 2020 model year.

During 2022 the Patrol saw 5724 registrations in the Australian market, representing 71.7 per cent growth year on year (YoY). It couldn’t quite match the Toyota LandCruiser wagon family (13,152 units, down 8.4 per cent) but despite its age and the lack of a diesel engine, it set several monthly records.

A Warrior version, to be fettled by local outfit Premcar, is due here later in the year.

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