- South Africa's best-priced, most comfortable greater than one ton 4x4 Pickup
- 4.2-litre inline 6 Diesel engine with 85kw @ 4000rpm and 264Nm from 2000rpm
- Ladder-frame chassis with standard rubber-coating
- 175 litre diesel tanks for >1300km travel distance
- Tightest turning circle of 6.1 meters
- Best-in-Class payload of 1125kg
- Best-in-Class approach and departure angles
- Pragmatic limited slip differential
Most comforts, yet 4x4-tough
The new Nissan-Patrol has been modified to meet changes suggested by its toughest critics: South African farmers, builders and leisure seekers.
All the changes, from the four cup holders and two bottle holders to air conditioner and electric windows - combined to make the new Patrol Pickup, South Africa's most practical as well as comfortable bakkie, both on and off road.
Hennie Kotze, product manager of the Patrol Pickup at Nissan South Africa, said the new Patrol Pickup is the benchmark 4x4 Pickup in its segment, offering the most comfort features and off-road capabilities as standard equipment.
Comfort
Standard luxuries in the Patrol's cabin include cloth-covered seats, airconditioning, electric windows, central locking, tinted windows, an instrument cluster indicating speed, engine revolutions, distance traveled and a digital clock. .
The Patrol's roomy cabin is 8cm wider than the closest Japanese competitor, which created space in the cabin for a bucket seat and a two-seater bench, each seat equipped with seat belts.
The steering wheel tilts to adjust to longer arms and a footrest avoids discomfort on long roads.
Drivetrain
Kotze said the limited slip differential still represents one of the most important mechanical aspects in the latest Patrol Pickup.
"Patrol Pickup-drivers told us that they rarely, if ever, engage differential-lock and that a limited-slip differential was more practical on varied road surfaces."
He adds that locking the axles in four-wheel drive still requires the driver to get out and lock the hubs by hand, because Patrol-buyers trust proven mechanical functions over more modern electronic buttons.
"The only button linked to the engine in the Patrol is an adjustable choke to set idling-speeds," explained Kotze.
The 4.2-litre, inline six-cylinder diesel engine remained unchanged under the new Patrol's hood.
Peak power of 85kw is delivered at 4000rpm, with peak torque of 264Nm available from 2000rpm, making the Patrol an excellent towing vehicle. The 4.2-litre engine's bore is as wide as the stroke is long, which gives the big diesel a smooth combustion against the typical diesel-clatter of the competitors.
The ladder-frame chassis is made to handle high rocks, with a rubber coating standard under the entire chassis.
Long-distance workhorse with champion 4x4-ability
The Patrol rides on 235/85 tyres on 16-inch, styled steel wheels with a ground clearance of 226 mm measured from the oilpan-protecter. These high, broad tyres deliver a pliant ride both on ground and tar, working with a three-link suspension with coil springs and a stabiliser bar up front and floating leafsprings at the back.
The front suspension also delivers the tightest turning circle in the big-bakkie segment, which 6.1 meters is a full 1.2 meter shorter than that of the closest competitor.
The Patrol's suspension is tuned to carry a "Best in Class" payload of 1125kg and pull a braked trailer weighing 1500kg.
"The excellent suspension for which Nissan-bakkies have become known for enables the Patrol to turn on a sixpence and won't leave your kidneys feeling tender after a day in the veldt," said Kotze.
The Patrol also offers the best approach and departure-angles at 44 and 31 degrees respectively and has the highest cross-over angle under big Japanese bakkies.
Ventilated disk brakes up front and large drum brakes at the rear stop the Patrol in a straight line each time, with a load sensor applying less brake force on the rear wheels to prevent the wheels locking with no load.
The two diesel tanks of 95 and 80 liters give the Patrol a combined travel distance of more than 1300 km on road and about 1100 km in off-road conditions.
Optional extras
The strongly-styled SAFARI-option is engineered to enhance the already tough Partrol's abilities.
The SAFARI-option adds a radio/CD player, a steel bumper with bullbar up front, at the rear a heavy duty steel bumper with tow-hitch, side steps, triple rollbar and double skin rubberized loadbox.
The front buffer increases the Patrol's approach-angle from 44 degrees to 46 degrees, which is eight degrees higher than the approach-angle of the closest competitor.
Clad with the SAFARI-option's high approach-angle and the Patrol's high ground clearance the new Patrol easily passes the toughest donga-test.
Price
The new Patrol 4.2D 4x4 retails standard for R314 700, which includes a three year/100 000 km warranty.
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