Lower cost workforce
Nissan has been Patroling the earth for 55 years and the latest version stays true to its working ethic. New Trek and Aventura versions bring the Patrol in line with Nissan’s sportier 4x4s, the X-TRAIL and Pathfinder. But pricing that drops by up to £3545 puts the hard grafting Patrol into a niche of its own. This latest Patrol is no crossover. It’s an authentic 4x4 through and through and is as common in metropolitan areas as affordable housing. Try finding another 4x4 that will tow up to 3500 kg, accommodate as much as 2287 litres of baggage, climb a 39 degree gradient and wade through water up to 700 mm deep for the Trek’s air conditioned £23,995 list price.
Its lusty ZD diesel engine produces 160PS and 380Nm of torque. And most of this is available between 1500 and 2500 rpm right where you need it. The Patrol retains its unbustable high and low ratio four-wheel drive system with a unique disconnectable rear stabiliser bar giving even more axle articulation when the going goes lunar. At such times, beefy black bumpers and wheel-arch extensions won’t mind tussling with the rock face. Inside, the cloth upholstery has been designed to take many years of battering and the five passenger Trek has a sliding rear seat giving you the option of changing the balance between luggage capacity and rear legroom. Though when you’re talking 5145 mm of Patrol, it won’t be a compromise.
Yet the driver won’t exactly be roughing it with standard air conditioning, electric windows all round and a CD player. The Trek also has anti-lock brakes, twin airbags, an alarm and most usefully electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors. Perfect for inclement weather that a Patrol so enjoys.
If you prefer your workhorse colour-coded and leather upholstered, a Patrol can still oblige. The new Aventura, which is Spanish for adventure, replaces the outgoing SVE yet is priced at £27,995 – down £3545 – AND gains Nissan’s latest generation Birdview™ satellite navigation system as standard. The same system was recently added to the Murano.
It incorporates clearer on-screen graphics, easier to use software, faster route calculation and covers 23 countries in seven different languages. The system offers many features to simplify the inputting sequence as well as clearly displaying the direction to take, ensuring easier and quicker decision making. Other changes include: the ability to see a map of the alternative route options – short distance, short time or minimise motorway; different split screen options to show distance countdown to junctions with two different aerial displays or a visual display with directional instructions; an easier to understand ‘Place of Interest’ menu with thousands of nearest location sites throughout Europe; the option to search by entrance or exit of a motorway; and 3D Junction view of motorway intersections. Traffic Information (TMC) continues to be fitted to help you avoid the latest traffic incidents by diverting you around the situation. On road, that is, despite the temptation when in a Patrol to stray off it.
The Aventura has seats for seven, all leather upholstered. The front pair are also electrically adjusted and heatable. Talking of heat, there’s an outside temperature gauge, electronic climate control and an electric glass sunroof to make the best of all weather conditions. Additionally, if the sun is shining, rear side privacy glass helps keep the interior cool. And when it’s not, front fog lights and headlight washers will help clear the way ahead. Owners taking full advantage of the Patrol’s off-road credentials will appreciate the Aventura’s electronic compass. Mounted high up, it’s easily readable by rear passengers, too, so everyone can join in the adventure.
Controversially, 17” alloys are also included in the £4000 premium over the Trek. The 1951 Patrol will be turning in its grave.
