Toyota successfully tapped into nostalgia for the launch of the redesigned Land Cruiser and it appears Nissan is following suit. As part of this effort, they’re highlighting the 1960’s Patrol and teasing the redesigned Armada. Starting with the classic model, the Patrol arrived in America in 1962 and was the first Nissan-badged vehicle to be sold in the country. It was far removed from today’s luxury barrages as the Patrol had body-on-frame construction, a leaf-spring suspension, and a 4.0-liter inline-six that was paired to a three-speed manual. Buyers would also find four-wheel drive and a host of body styles.
The Patrol disappeared after 1969, but it continued to be offered in other markets. The model eventually returned to America in 2016 as the Armada. Fast forward to today and Nissan is preparing to introduce the redesigned SUV on September 3. The company isn’t saying much at this point, but they released a teaser image showing a 1967 Patrol alongside the grille of the all-new Armada. There isn’t much to see, but it’s clear the model will be offered in Rock Creek guise.
While the automaker is staying
tight-lipped, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know this will be a
decontented version of the Infiniti QX80. As a result, we can expect a largely
familiar exterior with unique fascias and a handful of special touches. The
cabin may also be similar and have a 14.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a
14.3-inch infotainment system, and a lower 9-inch display. Power will likely be
provided by a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 developing 450 hp and 699 Nm of torque. It should be connected to a nine-speed automatic
transmission and an available four-wheel drive system.
