In an exciting revival for performance SUV enthusiasts, Nissan is reintroducing its Patrol SUV with the Nismo treatment, trading its previous V-8 powerplant for a potent twin-turbo V-6. Following the Nissan Ariya in the Nismo SUV lineup, the new Patrol Nismo is set to make a bold statement as Nissan’s flagship performance SUV.
Nissan’s design chief Alfonso Albaisa, who has overseen the project, has called it a “beast,” hinting at a substantial power boost over the standard model and an aggressive design. Reflecting on the milled clay model of the Patrol, Albaisa admitted, “When I first saw it, I didn’t sleep for four days. When you see the scale of this thing, it’s a beast.”
While the exact power specs remain under wraps, the 2025 Armada (the U.S. version of the Patrol) will borrow the twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 from the Infiniti QX80, which already churns out 425 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque in its standard form—figures that surpass the outgoing naturally aspirated 5.6-liter V-8. With Albaisa confirming “more power and torque” for the Nismo model, we can expect even greater output. However, Nissan is aware of the sound appeal of the former V-8, hinting at the potential for artificial engine sounds, though Albaisa promised, “I’m not saying we’re doing that.”
The Patrol Nismo’s addition will bolster Nissan’s Nismo SUV lineup, now also featuring the fully electric Ariya. It also follows in the footsteps of unique, limited-run models like the Juke Nismo and the Juke-R, which famously sported the GT-R’s engine.
Though it remains uncertain if the U.S. Armada will get a Nismo variant, one thing is clear: the Patrol Nismo’s 2025 return promises fans of rugged, high-performance SUVs a thrilling experience that blends new powertrain technology with the unmistakable Nismo style.
