"It's much better than a Toyota LandCruiser": Nissan says all-new Y63 Patrol outshines the LC300 as it confirms V8 out, twin-turbo V6 in

Nissan has begun spilling the details of the Y63 Patrol, not just confirming that the V8 has been replaced by a twin-turbocharged V6, but boldly claiming it’s “much better” than its core rival, the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series.

It’s a bold statement, and one that has been inspired by a shift to a twin-turbo V6 engine which the brand promises that, as soon as you drive it, “you will not lament the V8, that’s for sure”.

“I think the customers, the moment they drive a twin-turbo V6, they discover a new universe,” says Ivan Espinosa - Vice president, Product Strategy & Planning, Nissan. “The capability, the performance, the acceleration, the power delivery — the customer will smile, I’m sure of it.”

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Asked how the model measures up against its core competitor, the LC300, Mr Espinosa replied:

“The (Y63) is much better.”

Nissan’s product planning VP went on to detail the improvements made in the leap from Y62 to Y63, suggesting it’s not just technology, but drivability and dynamics that have improved the most.

“We built on the strengths of what we have. Off-road performance, of course we’ll will keep it,” Mr Espinosa says.

“Probably where we’re stretching the most is on technology. Of course, the current Patrol is relatively old, and we don’t have the best infotainment system, and that’s where you’ll see a big improvement in that technology.

“The overall performance, driving dynamics, you will see big, big improvements. The dynamic performance is very well executed on the road when you’re driving at high speed, the response, the chassis, the dynamics, the steering have also been greatly improved.”

Another key focus for the update will be making the model a more luxurious experience all around, presenting a more premium answer to models like the LC300.

"Even on today's Patrol, which had major redesign a couple of years back, already that was starting to change," says Nissan's senior Vice President for Global design, Alfonso Albaisa.

"When you think of Patrols 20 years ago, they tended to be more on the performance side, it was a purposeful vehicle. And slowly it has been changing.

"You can actually have both. The technical envelope of Patrol is quite unique, and we're very happy with it success, but there has been a shift.

"We use words like 'premium' or 'luxury', and it's a bit dangerous. What they really want is the best we can make, and it's going to be notched up on the next one. The technology is going up, the screens are getting more interactive, and at the same time the things you touched the way the car feels in all conditions is super important."

Reports suggest the twin-turbo V6 in question will also power the new Infiniti QX80, and will produce a sizeable 335kW. That’s enough to outshine the 298kW on offer from the current petrol V8, with the new engine expected to be paired with a new nine-speed torque-converter automatic transmission and a permanent all-wheel-drive system.

But if you’re wedded to V8 power, Nissan has good news for you.

“I’m of a generation that used to like V8s, and I still do. But with the V6 twin-turbo, you will not lament the V8," says Pierre Loing, Nissan VP of product planning.