AUSTRALIAN engineering agency Premcar’s success with domestically developed ‘Warrior’ variants of the Navara ute and Patrol SUV might have secured the corporate a right-hand drive conversion gig for the brand new Y63 Patrol that can make this market the world’s first to get the Japanese model’s newest off-roader in right-hook kind.
As well as, the Warrior program seems to have impressed Nissan’s North American division, the place its Armada-badged model of the Y63 Patrol has a beefed-up Professional-4X variant echoing a few of the upgrades Premcar developed for the present Y62-generation Warrior bought in Australia.
Each Nissan Oceania and Premcar seem reluctant to remark particularly on whether or not the Melbourne-based engineering outfit will once more work its magic on the Y63-series off-roader – whether or not for right-hand drive conversions or Warrior upgrades – however one thing seems to be brewing behind the scenes.
Discussing the corporate’s dedication to its working relationship with Premcar throughout a current media briefing, Nissan Oceania vp and managing director Andrew Humberstone mentioned: “We’re actually taking this from power to power by way of what we need to do with Premcar round conversions and across the Warrior model in Australia.”
GoAuto reached out to Premcar director Bernie Quinn for remark, however on the time of publication had obtained no response.
Within the late Nineties, when Premcar was referred to as Tickford Automobile Engineering, the corporate was chosen by Ford to transform Mustang Cobra sportscars to right-hand drive for Australia and export to different RHD markets.
GoAuto understands that Premcar – having beforehand operated Ford Efficiency Autos – was additionally within the working for the Ford F-150 RHD conversion contract that was in the end received by RMA and introduced in 2022.
The identical 12 months, Mr Quinn printed a cautionary story about RHD conversions on LinkedIn that concluded: “Miscalculate and botch it and all you’ll do is go from left-hand drive to wrong-hand drive.”
Mr Quinn’s missive proved considerably prophetic given the RMA-converted F-150 has, between January and July this 12 months, been topic to 5 recollects leading to two gross sales pauses and buyer compensation.
Mr Humberstone confirmed that Australia “would be the first right-hand drive market on the planet” to get its arms on the Y63 Patrol and mentioned the introduction of Warrior automobiles had elevated public notion in regards to the off-road capacity of Nissan four-wheel drive fashions – notably the Navara – “considerably”.
He mentioned the success was such that by the tip of August Nissan had “already surpassed the variety of Warriors bought in 2023”.
As such, it appears unlikely that Nissan Oceania will carry a factory-finished equal to the Armada Professional-4X on to this market and bypass Premcar completely.
Nissan Oceania informed GoAuto that the corporate is “dedicated to our conversion program with Premcar and assume it is a implausible product providing”.
“It’s about discovering the suitable product alternative that meets market demand. We are going to proceed to judge alternatives and buyer demand and reply accordingly.”
Requested particularly in regards to the potential for Premcar to deal with RHD conversions for the Y63 Patrol, Nissan Oceania informed GoAuto it was “continually listening to suggestions and analysing tendencies”.
“Whereas we will not reveal specifics simply but, relaxation assured, we’ve some thrilling merchandise within the pipeline which can be introduced sooner or later.”
Off-road particular options on the Armada Professional-4X embrace a locking rear differential, trailer blind-spot monitoring, heightened floor clearance and adaptive air suspension plus a singular grille and frontal fascia with uncovered metallic bash plate and rated restoration factors.
These will give the Professional-4X flagship adequate curiosity, Nissan says, to account for as much as 25 per cent of Armada gross sales quantity in North America.
Nissan Americas head of gross sales and advertising and marketing Vinay Shahani mentioned the brand new Patrol leans into the “legacy of functionality” for which the model is famend.
“Overlanding has change into an enormous factor,” added Mr Shahani. “We must always have some option to capitalise on that … by way of particular derivatives, grades, and equipment.”
It’s a comment that could possibly be learn straight from the Premcar playbook.
Hello-tech picture processing provides drivers a 170-degree view ahead for correct wheel placement off the overwhelmed monitor, whereas Invisible Hood View is a know-how just like that debuted by Land Rover some years in the past, utilizing exterior cameras to indicate what’s straight in entrance and underneath the automobile.
Twin 14.3-inch digital shows – distinctive to Armada Professional-4X and Platinum variants – be a part of a rotary-style drive mode management, toggles for local weather management features, and a push-button gear selector.
Different highlights embrace a 12-speaker/600-watt Klipsch-sourced audio bundle, massaging entrance seats, heated first- and second-row seats, and an infrared sensor constructed into the headliner to detect occupant temperature and modify local weather management settings accordingly.
The brand new-generation Patrol is not going to be accessible to order Down Below till late 2026 on the earliest, giving consumers simply over 12 months to snap up the final of Nissan’s V8-powered Y62-series stalwart.
