Nissan's tough-looking mini Patrol for Oz

Nissan's new Y63-inspired SUV has taken a sizeable step closer to an Australian launch, with the brand securing the Tekton name through our trademark office.

Nissan says the Tekton "draws design inspiration from the company’s longest-running and most iconic SUV, the terrain-conquering Patrol", and is the latest vehicle released under the brand's 'One Car, One World’ strategy.

Rather than lock a model into one market, the Tekton will be built in India for its local market, as well as "future export to select global markets".

Australia could well be on that list, with the brand moving to trademark the Tekton name here on September 29, with the application now moving through the multi-stage tradmark process.

Nissan is bullish on the Tekton, describing it as a benchmark-setting model that will "dominate".

"The all-new Nissan Tekton draws its design inspiration from our legendary Nissan Patrol. It is designed to disrupt, dominate, and deliver everything today’s modern consumer desires. Imposing, stylish, and built to set a new benchmark in India and beyond, the design and build quality are distinctly Nissan, embodying the best of Nissan’s SUV DNA," says Nissan's global design chief, Alfonso Albaisa.

As to what's powering it, Nissan is yet to confirm the details. But given it's being built alongside the Renault Duster, it's possible it will share its Alliance-member's engine options, including a 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine which produces 113kW of power and 270Nm of torque, and a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol with 48V mild-hybrid assistance which produces 96kW and 230Nm. Two- and all-wheel-drive variants are also offered in the Renault.

According to Indian outlets, the Tekton will also debut a "strong hybrid" option, which is possibly the Duster's hybrid offered in international markets, which pairs a 1.8-litre petrol engine with two electric motors for a total 115kW.

A trademark application isn't a guarantee of a launch, though, and it's possible India's domestic requirements in terms of specification and safety might differ from Australia's. All will be revealed closer to the model's Indian launch next year.