Nissan’s new Patrol Nismo sets up UAE’s hyper busy H2-2025 SUV season

Dubai: Seeing more of the Nissan ‘reds’ zip by?

It sure feels like it with the Nissan Patrol Nismo, the latest version of which was launched late June with an entry price of Dh449,900 and loaded with a new 3.5-liter twin-turbo.

“This is the highest output for the VR35DDTT engine anywhere globally,” Nissan had said at the time of the launch.

And because it’s the UAE and Gulf markets and this is the Patrol, these markets will get a special edition of the new Nismo, all 495-hp and 700-Nm of it in ‘sport mode’. “The region-specific tuning is a direct result of extensive customer insights and feedback…”

That adds up to a lot, to put it mildly. 

New Patrol, Z Nismos

The new Patrol Nismo – as well as the (all-new) Z Nismo with 420-hp and 520-Nm of torque launched simultaneously – will feature prominently as Nissan’s candidates in the UAE’s 2025-26 model year premium, high-performance category. According to dealership sources, the premium category will put in another 8%-12% growth through 2025, with some upcoming launches likely to help with the numbers.

“Nissan with Nismo Patrol has had two fairly successful years in the UAE based on our data,” said an auto analyst. “Even before the global launch of the latest version, which was done in Dubai, the build-up of anticipation was high.”

And now that regional dealerships are getting stocks of the latest Patrol Nismo, get set to see them on the roads. Because in these markets, any new Nismo launch is an event.

Thierry Sabbagh is Divisional Vice-President & President – Middle East, KSA, CIS for Nissan and Infiniti, can feel it. “There are quite a few on the roads from the previous generation – we were really excited about the results we had last year,” said Sabbagh. “While Nissan overall grew 10% in the region last year, and in the UAE, you are looking at 16%.

“When you are talking about Patrol specifically, the year-on-year growth becomes 21%.”

The Patrol legend rides on

How can it be any other way? The Nissan Patrol enjoys an unparalleled status in the Gulf markets, and last year’s Patrol was the all-new version, seventh-generation iteration. (Yes, that too debuted with a twin-turbo V6.) The model has been an instant hit, say industry sources.

So, now, with the new Patrol Nismo to keep company, expect more of the same.

“There are a few existing Patrol/Patrol Nismo previous generation owners who could be tempted to upgrade to the latest Patrol – and go all the way with the Nismo,” said the auto analyst.

“Especially for the Middle East specific one.”