The redefined Nissan Patrol

Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) are an embattled lot. After lording it over the sales charts over the past couple of years and muscling their way into the market segment once reserved for luxury sedans, lawmakers have set their sights on milking the most out of these hulking vehicles. A revised tax scheme is threatening to raise prices of SUVs to levels where luxury sedans can once again play a more substantial role in the greater scheme of things. Add to this the fact that the gray market is slowly eating up the market segment that SUVs had rightfully lay claim upon. Of course our lawmakers are only trying to level the playing field, and as Senator Ralph Recto himself stressed, they are also looking to find ways to discourage the growth of this so-called gray market — in turn protecting legitimate local manufacturers, be they the type who offer a wide range of products and services or the more specialized ones who cater to a specific market segment like the SUV market.

Still, local SUV manufacturers and distributors have refused to simply sit on their laurels and watch the events that dictate the demand for their vehicles just pass them by. In response to threats from every conceivable angle, these manufacturers and distributors have taken a more positive stance by providing would-be customers with more value for money in every new SUV released. Take for example Universal Motors Corporation, the authorized assembler and distributor of Nissan Light Commercial and Recreational Vehicles like the redefined Nissan Patrol. The company has fitted what was once an already formidable vehicle with enough juice to cater to a suddenly more stringent market, thus giving the buying public something more to look forward to.

The redefined Nissan Patrol comes packed with a variety of new features, the most striking of which is the more robust and authoritative stance made possible by a bold new radiator grille and an updated emblem design that speaks proudly of its heritage. Add to this the hearty new front bumper with built-in for lamps and eye-catching multi-reflector headlamps and you have an SUV that commands more respect than any of its predecessors ever have. A sleek rear bumper, redesigned aluminum steep-board and mudguards and a matching multi-reflector tail-lamp design also add to the updated look of the Nissan Patrol.

Step inside the new Patrol and you are greeted by features not seen in the previous version of this admittedly huge road warrior. For the driver, there’s a manually adjustable lumbar support system with 8-way power adjustment while the passenger seat is fitted with a 4-way power adjustment. A spanking brand new 4-spoke steering wheel with power-assist and tilt-adjustment allow for more comfortable road control. What takes the cake in this writer’s mind, however, is the new silver faced stereo system with an in-dash CD player that can blurt out up to 180 watts of power. (A side note, if you want to test the mettle of a vehicle’s stereo system, bring along a copy of 50 Cent’s Get Rich or Die Tryin’ CD —original version please, no pirated copies — and play track number five, that’s the popular single In Da Club. It has a tremendous range of sound that stresses enough bass, mid-range and high frequency — enough to make you appreciate the power of a good sound system.) Packed into a well-appointed interior like that of the Patrol’s, this sound system certainly does not disappoint.

The redefined Nissan Patrol is powered by the revolutionary Neo-DI Turbo Diesel Engine that was awarded the energy conservation prize of Japan for its reduced Nitrogen Oxide emissions. As with any good diesel engine, this baby packs a wallop in the torque department by churning out an impressive 354Nm at 2,000 rpm. The added power provides acceleration at par with the best in its class thus making overtaking not much of a hassle. Safety features in the Patrol include a driver side SRS airbag, rigid side impact beams and the innovative Nissan Zone Body Concept impact-absorbing crushable zone which protects passengers in the event of a collision. Another plus is the fact that the Patrol is available in both automatic and manual transmission and diesel and gas models.

The only thing that bothers this writer as far as the new Nissan Patrol goes is the very source of its strength in the eyes of consumers. The vehicle is huge, and considering the kind of streets we have, it’s almost difficult to maneuver around. Still, such is the case with the rest of the competition, which includes anything from mid-size Japanese SUVs like Isuzu’s Trooper and Mitsubishi’s Pajero to American juggernauts like the Expedition of Ford, the Tahoe of Chevrolet and the Durango of Dodge. Come to think of it, the trade off is worth the little difficulty, the Patrol after all, fits quite well into both categories and considering its size, it provides an excellent vantage point that keeps you from fidgeting once you’re caught in traffic. It’s big, it’s macho and it’s intimidating. Sounds just right for an SUV.