If you live in UAE, you don’t really need an introduction about the Nissan Patrol. The car has carved its way into the culture of the country, due to its powerful inline-six petrol engine. The Y61 generation of the Patrol was produced between 1997 and 2013, after which a redesigned Y62 Patrol was unveiled. However, due to its new engine, the locals of UAE demanded the old Y61 engine back. Nissan made a bold move of releasing the car henceforth alongside the new V8-engine Y62 Patrol. The one we are reviewing today, though, is a special edition, the all new Nissan Patrol Super Safari. The last one was released in 2009.
So, what’s new? The exterior is the most obvious part of the Super Safari which sets it apart from the conventional one. The two-tone Gold and Grey or Pearl-White and Grey gives the car an excellent overall contrast. The pearl-white in the Super Safari looks completely different than the white color in the normal Safari. The front is now home to a new bumper, which hides a winch behind it (optional). They have also added a xenon bulb in the headlight and LED fog lamps, which we love. Mysteriously, though, this was only found on the Super Safaris from AWR Rostamani and not in the Patrols from Al Masoud (Abu Dhabi) or Al Bahwan (Oman). Moreover, the front grille is dark-chrome plated, which we like.
Moving to the rear, they have added a new bumper with LED lights on either side. One might think that these are for the fog lamps. Nay, they are instead for the main brake light and indicators. What’s the point of the taillights then? Oddly, those only light up when you turn on the fog lamps. Nissan decided to add this touch to further differentiate the Super Safari from the rest of the Patrols, which, in our opinion, we aren’t a big fan of. The reverse light is also placed on the taillights, but don’t freak out if only the left one turns on. This is purposely done to give the car a raw, aggressive look. We approve. Another addition to the Super Safari are the all-new 17 inch blacked-out wheels. It really complements the car but if you are a desert lover, don’t expect them to shine like the regular silver wheels after a long day in the dunes. They have also added a rear roof spoiler. A small survey showed that the general public as a mixed feeling about it.
Moving to the interior, the seats are wrapped in a premium tan leather. Finally, there’s an alternate option from the bland grey they offer. Interestingly, we noticed that the seats were way more comfortable as well. The shape of the seats might have been altered to achieve this.
Safety took a huge step on the new Super Safari. It now rocks front and back parking sensors, a rear-view camera and a multi-function steering wheel. Even though the parking sensors worked seamlessly, the rear-view camera had a hard time dealing with exposure in the dark. The multi-function steering wheel and power seats also worked pretty well, a good touch for the ones who would like to daily-drive it. Unfortunately, the Y61 has never come with rear airbags, which is a huge drawback for those who want a classic SUV for family use.
The all-new head unit is a huge step forward for the Y61 generation. Phone calls and music via Bluetooth, navigation, a CD player, AUX, USB, FM Radio and much more all come standard in the Super Safari. There was little to no lag while we used it. In the process, we also found a virtual button for Facebook, but we aren’t sure what that’s for. Facebook notifications on the go? Bad idea.
The interior trims are dull silver, and they have added redesigned A/C buttons below the screen. Finally, no cheap plastic. The center console has a cool box, but it isn’t as big as the one offered in the Land Cruiser. Nevertheless, it’s quite chilly and will cool your drinks in no time. Even though the Super Safari comes in automatic only, Diff lock comes as standard and works really well. The overall driving experience is great, with minimal blind spots considering the size of the car. The steering, however, is oversized, and sits down low. It misses telescopic adjustment, too. The sound system has been the same since conception. Four measly speakers just aren’t half what a car this size needs.
The performance side of this car is nearly identical to the regular Patrol Y61. The famous 4.8 Inline 6 Engine produces 280HP through a 5-speed Automatic with a manual mode. The manual mode is rather sluggish, and shifts very slowly. Despite having power steering, a 6.1m turning circle isn’t the greatest either, but we aren’t complaining. Fuel capacity is 135 liters, and can give you a realistic 580km on a full tank.
Bottom line? If you are a Patrol lover but hadn’t bought one due to its bland interior and exterior appearance as well as lack of daily-driver features, this is the car for you. The Y61 has always been an icon in the UAE. This one is as daily-driver as the Y61 will ever go. Yes, the changes aren’t huge and the Super Safari might be similar to a large extent to the regular Safari, but making changes for the sake of changing is counter-intuitive for Nissan. If it doesn’t break, why ‘fix’ it?
Special Thanks to Mohamed Yafi, Sales Dept. from AWR Rostamani Nissan Sharjah Branch, and Saad Afzal, Patrol head.
- Article by Kashif Bhaor
- Photography by Mohammed K. Yusuf
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