Patrol is back: But it’s a case of last of the old before the new.

SOMETHING old, as something new: Announcement from Nisan here that the 2025 Patrol is on sale shouldn’t be misconstrued.

What’s being crowed about isn’t the all-new Patrol, already cruising the dunes in Middle East sales hots spots.

Rather, we’re talking a comeback. The final turn around the block for a version that has been around since 2012. Different model codes - what we’re seeing is the Y62, what’s ahead is the Y63 - and different engines.

The type about to re-enter the showroom here in $118,990 Ti-L format is one last blast for the long-lived 298kW/560Nm 5.6-litre naturally aspirated V8 petrol engine. It also retains the seven-speed automatic gearbox and full-time four-wheel drive.

The Y63 kicks off a new era of engine, at least for this big lugger. The 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 is derived from the GT-R supercar. In the Patrol it makes 317kW/700Nm and is married to a nine-speed automatic.

The incoming Y62 stock benefits from taking some revisions to the infotainment system and some trim adjustments.

The new infotainment screen is the biggest change. The Y62 now gets a modern-looking 12.3-inch screen, alongside a 7.0-inch digital driver’s instrument cluster – with the latter digital for the first time, before this it was an analogue display.

Also new is satellite navigation as standard, a wireless phone charger and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Nissan has not made clear how much Y62 stock remains to be moved into ownership, but given that the Y63 has been in production for almost a year now, the previous kind obviously won’t be in endless supply.

Also, Nissan Australia - which very much calls the shots for NZ, regardless that our country’s distortion set-up demands local management - has confirmed as the first right-hand-drive market for Y63 Patrol, with orders due to open there (so also here?) in late 2026.

Meantime, big news with the Y63 is that it has just come out in a format that might be incomprehensible to old-school mud-plugger fans - it’s been sent to the house of Nismo (below).

More power, sharper handling and sportier looks are the promise from the version out of Nissan’s high-performance division and there’s talk the type could come down here.

The engine produces 369kW/700Nm in the Middle East and tones down to 343kW/700Nm for North America, where is sells as the Armada Nismo.

A retuned sports exhaust system has been fitted for more noise, boosted inside through Active Sound Enhancement software, plus Nismo-tuned electric power steering and adaptive air suspension.

New 22-inch forged alloy wheels from Japan's Rays are exclusive to the Nismo, wrapped in a "higher-performance" Bridgestone Alenza all-season tyre compound.

Styling changes include a new front fascia with a larger grille and red lower splitter, unique side steps, wider wheel-arch flares, a new rear bumper with Nismo branding and red accents, an extended rear spoiler, and a rear fog light said to be inspired by Formula E electric race cars. The brake calipers are now finished in red, but it is not stated if they are any larger than those of the standard Patrol.