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.
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