Patrol the terrain with Nissan’s 2015 Y62 'Beast'

There are iconic nameplates in the four by four motoring industry, and there is the Nissan Patrol. Willy's jeep started the trend in 1939, followed by Maurice Wilks' Land Rover in 1948 and thereafter the bug caught up with the Japanese giants Toyota and Nissan.

In its 6 decades of existence, the Patrol has built up a fiercely loyal fanbase globally , solely based around reliability and dependability.

The all-new Nissan Patrol is built from the ground up, with a brand new look and unmatched capabilities to boot. It’s bigger and bolder than it's Y61 predecessor-90mm longer,55mm taller and 85mm wider, and boasts a swanky electronic off-road management system, that literally swings it right up to the top of perch with the likes of the Land Rover family.

Recently i got an invite from Nissan Kenya, to attend the launch and test drive of the 2015 Patrol. I was quite chaffed by the proposition as i have always been a huge fan of the 'Beast'.

The big day arrived and the start point, media presentation and flag off was held at the well manicured lawns of the Tribe Hotel.

Eight gleaming Y62 Patrols were parked in rank and file right outside the hotel parkade. As my fellow colleagues interacted in low tones, i did a brief walk around just to get acquainted with this new baby.

Design

The Y62 Patrol is more of an evolution than a revolution of the outgoing model. The front profile uniquely wears the Nissan design language, used extensively within the Nissan lineage.

The massive front trapezoidal headlamps combine with the ‘chromed out’ grill gives the Patrol an aggressive and bold look, front fenders bulge out like the 'Hulk' while bold hip line extends right through the side profile all the way to the back.

The rear LED lamp design is quite contemporary and the in built tow bar is neatly tucked underneath the rear bumper, in essence illustrating that it means business

The interior

Step right in the spacious cabin of the Patrol and you will surprised by tons of space available for the occupants; the Y62 comes in one trim, full spec leather interior with electronically adjusted front seats with memory function.

The first and second row seats offer similar comfort levels with plenty of leg and headroom, as well as offering a 60:40 and 50:50 split seat versatility respectively for enhanced luggage carrying capacity.

The wrap-around dash design is quite modern and edgy, and is lined with stitched leather to illustrate the perceived premium nature of the Patrol. Gadgetry offering is top notch, from the multi-zone climate control, DVD entertainment unit complete with individual screens located on the rear headrests to the  innovative adaptive cruise control just to mention but a few come as standard.

The drive

After a brief presentation by the Nissan Kenya team, it was time to sample the Y62 in all its glory; the ride and test drive took us from Nairobi to Naivasha for the on tar experience and the Eburru Forest route for the off-road course. As we snaked out of Nairobi's busy roads to the open highway, i began to exercise my authority on the 298 kW 5.6L V8 unit.

Burry your right foot down and 560 Nm of torque available on demand, hauls the 'Beast' With ease and it growls nicely as you approach the 6500 rpm mark . The seven-speed automatic ensures silky smooth cruising, and it's also responsive to downshifts when you give it the beans.

It is my considered opinion that Nissan needs to add a diesel derivative, as it offers more pulling power and is more economical, allowing long-distance driving between refills. Nissan claims the Patrol's combined fuel consumption average is 14.5L/100km, which is not so bad for the amount of power it delivers. After 100 KM of tarmac bliss, it was time to experience the rough stuff towards the Eburru forest, It provided the perfect opportunity to sample its off road hardware and capability.

The rough stuff

Nissan’s priority with this car is off-road capability, and the Patrol continues to get all the buzz words such as a limited-slip differential, hill descent control, and rear differential lock. Taking a hint from the Discovery, the Patrol now is free of gears and levers, in place now is the Terrain Management System that allows a novice to off road like a pro.

By selecting the desired terrain, the electronic hardware carefully controls torque delivery for maximum traction and eases the burden of driving by taking over braking via Hill Descent Control (HDC) during uphill and downhill scenarios, enabling the driver to concentrate on steering the vehicle.

For the first time, the Patrol gets independent suspension all round, meaning better wheel articulation over uneven surfaces and better ride comfort. Nissan also added air suspension system known as Hydraulic Motion Control (HMC), which constantly monitors and regulates suspension travel to offer maximum ride comfort and adequate ground clearance.

The Patrol rides perfectly over seemingly smooth surfaces but really big ruts and borders upset the ride quality in cabin, but general quietness at cruising speeds is excellent and moderately sized bumps seem to be a sweet spot for the suspension set-up.

The steering feel is neutral at low speeds and off-road driving, but beefs up at higher speeds.The few corners i encountered on the launch revealed the Nissan Patrol to be a soft  handling car, pushing at the front end, the tyres protested vocally as i swept on a few high speed crests.

Safety

The Patrol offers a mix of active and passive safety features to ensure peace of when on the road. Active features like Anti Lock Braking System(ABS) prevents wheel lock during emergency braking thus allowing you steer away from an obstacle, Brake Assist boosts braking pressure by 40 percent during 'panic' braking and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) that counters over and understeer situation by selectively braking wheels, with the primary objective of preventing loss of control. Just incase all hell breaks loose, you can count on the 5 star  passenger cell safety rating, multiple airbags and seat belts to mitigate injury to the occupants.

Kirinyaga Road analysis

The decision of buying any car is based on numerous factors like pricing, fuel consumption, service intervals, depreciation value and what the rivals offer. Let's take a look at the table below:

Summary

The 2015 Patrol represent a big leap for Nissan, built on it's ancestors  pedigree  of capability and reliability,it's now ready for business. Plenty of kit, good looks and a spacious cabin, the Patrol can now effectively compete with

the big boys offering the best of both worlds. Toyota’s Land Cruiser and the Discovery from Land Rover offer economical diesel engines, however,the new Nissan Patrol will continue to be the only choice for many four-wheel-drive diehards. It’s a fair reflection of its long reputation as a reliable and durable off roader.