A new look and important changes to Nissan’s hulking V8 four-wheel drive are expected to land in Australia soon.

NISSAN HAS UNVEILED the biggest update to its current Patrol, bringing improvements to refinement, technology and, more obviously, a much different look.

The updated four-wheel drive was unveiled in the Middle East overnight, its biggest market in the world. It is the second facelift the Nissan Y62 Patrol has undergone since its introduction in 2013, this time adopting a completely new front with chiselled lights and a redesigned read end. 

Inside, the cabin has been tweaked with some new materials, but the big change is that the old infotainment system has been replaced with a newer, larger screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Other technology updates bolster safety credentials, such as AEB with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Some other improvements are subtler, such as a reduction in NVH and a quieter air conditioning system.

There is still not a diesel engine available, with the same 5.6-litre V8 petrol producing 298kW of power and 560Nm of torque carrying on, giving it a distinct difference to the segment’s sales-leading Toyota LandCruiser.

Local sales of the Patrol are up after a slow start since its introduction, and as Practical Motoring understands, is only limited by left-hand drive production supply.

Australians can expect the new Patrol to land before Christmas with local pricing and specification yet to be announced, though a price hike on the current $72,880 plus on-road costs entry point is expected.