New Nissan Patrol previewed by Infiniti luxury concept

Nissan’s luxury-car division Infiniti has unveiled the QX Monograph concept – which serves as a preview of Australia’s next-generation 'Y63' 2024 Nissan Patrol, due for unveiling later this year or early next year, according to overseas reports.

The QX Monograph concept debuted in the US this week previews the design of the new Infiniti QX80, which is the luxury version of the Nissan Patrol – now sold in overseas markets after Infiniti exited Australia in 2019.

In the same way the Lexus LX is the luxury Toyota LandCruiser, the QX80 has historically shared its core body structure, underpinnings and doors with the Patrol, but with unique front and rear fascias, lights, wheels and interiors.

MORE: Next Nissan Patrol one step closer with twin-turbo petrol V6 power

The headline move for the next generations of the Patrol and QX80 is the demise of the 298kW/560Nm 5.6-litre petrol V8 in favour of a smaller, twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine developing up to 336kW (450 horsepower).

It follows the move of the LandCruiser 300 Series and Lexus LX to twin-turbo petrol and diesel V6 power, in line with increasingly stringent emissions and fuel-economy standards.

The QX Monograph concept previews a blockier and more imposing design than today’s Patrol and QX80, with straighter body sides, a bigger grille and sharp LED lighting.

The LED headlights have been split into a main lighting unit placed lower down in the bumper, and an upper daytime-running light strip Infiniti calls the “digital piano keys”.

It joins the trend of connecting the tail-lights across the rear of the car, with an animated pattern reminiscent of a loading or progress bar on a computer. This may be one of the design features used to distinguish the Infiniti from the new Nissan in showrooms, as with the Lexus LX and Toyota LandCruiser.

Infiniti claims the patterns in the front grille and front wheel-arch vents are inspired by bamboo, while the paint on the concept has six layers and is meant to look like “a warm glowing red sunset as it transitions into a dark night sky.”

Spy photos of the new Nissan Patrol are yet to be captured, but if history is a guide, expect the boxier body shell of the QX Monograph concept to carry over to its cheaper production sibling at a minimum.

While elements of the doors may be shared between the showroom Infiniti QX80 and Nissan Patrol, it is unclear if the pop-out down handles shown on the concept – and planned for the production QX80 – will feature on the new Patrol.

The interior of the QX Monograph is not shown, however US reports have previously claimed it will offer a large 24-inch display stretching across much of the dashboard.

According to industry journal Automotive News, the new QX80 will cost close to 40 per cent more than its predecessor, from $US72,700 ($AU111,000) today, to in excess of $US100,000 ($AU154,000). It is unclear what impact this will have on the next Patrol.

New features for the next Infiniti are said to include air suspension – replacing the Hydraulic Body Motion Control suspension of the current QX80 (and Patrol) – plus more touchscreen controls, and a smart air conditioning system that can detect passengers’ body temperatures.

Previous reports have said the new 2024 Nissan Patrol – sold in the US as the Armada – is planned for a US launch in late 2023, while the Infiniti QX80 is due to follow in mid 2024.

Nissan and its luxury division are yet to confirm arrival timing for the new vehicles.

In the meantime, the current Nissan Patrol will be farewelled with the Warrior off-road edition – developed with local engineering firm Premcar – due later this year.