Nissan Patrol Warrior: late 2023 release date, V8 engine confirmed for Premcar-developed 4WD

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It’s official: in late 2023, Nissan will release a Patrol Warrior to crown its four-wheel drive line-up in Australia, with the fettled wagon set to be sub-assembled by Melbourne firm Premcar.

Joining the Navara Warrior super-ute as a custom addition to Nissan Australia’s local line-up, the Patrol Warrior specification will be based on the existing Y62-generation Patrol rather than the new-generation Y63 model that will launch in the coming years with a V6 engine.

Nissan has today confirmed that the Warrior will retain the standard Patrol model’s 5.6-litre naturally-aspirated petrol V8 engine that produces 298kW of power and 560Nm of torque. The Warrior will not have higher outputs.

However, the flagship Patrol Warrior will have “improved ground clearance, a wider stance and improved ride and handling” – all elements that have led to praise for the Navara Warrior, which took third place in the 2022 Chasing Cars dual-cab megatest.

Two teaser images were released with the announcement alongside a concept sketch of the vehicle. The images show distinctive Warrior tailgate badging in black – and most tantalisingly, new side exit exhausts sitting below a side step finished in silver.

Also visible is the fitment of Cooper Discoverer all-terrain tyres, and the retention of silver trim on the tailgate of the vehicle – in place of a full black pack.

The Patrol Warrior development program has been underway for several years in Australia and the plan will take another 12 months or so to complete before the model can go head-to-head with the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series GR Sport.

Nissan Australia managing director Adam Paterson believes the Patrol Warrior “will be a huge success” locally.

“The Warrior program, our collaboration with Premcar, has already proven immensely popular in Australia,” Paterson said. ““Our collaboration…is all about developing vehicles that are perfectly suited to Australian customers and conditions.”

The Patrol is currently sold in two model grades in Australia, both running the 5.6-litre V8 engine. Pricing is set at $82,160 before on-road costs for the Ti grade, and $95,115 for the Ti-L specification – meaning the Warrior could cost in excess of $110,000 when it arrives.

Nissan’s top-end four-wheel drive has had a major resurgence in the last 24 months in Australia, with buyers facing wait times of the best part of half a year.