by New Nissan Patrol without diesel engine
Nissan has confirmed that the new generation of the full-size Patrol SUV will not receive a diesel version, despite the popularity of similar models among competitors. The vehicle debuted over a year ago with two gasoline engines: a turbocharged 3.5L V6 and a naturally aspirated 3.8L V6.
Why Nissan abandoned diesel
This decision is particularly striking given that the model’s main competitor, the Toyota Land Cruiser, continues to sell successfully with diesel engines. The Patrol, which is practically identical to the North American Armada version, has traditionally been very popular in the Middle Eastern and Australian markets, where diesel powertrains have been preferred for decades.
Manufacturer’s position
Nissan’s chief product specialist, Antonio Lopez, explained that the decision is based on an analysis of customer needs and their willingness to pay for the vehicle. He noted that in Australia, diesel engines previously had an advantage in rural areas due to the ability to use fuel from agricultural machinery.
“Trends are now changing because all vehicles coming to Australia are becoming either gasoline, electric, or hybrid because they come from Europe. That trend no longer exists, so we believe this car with a gasoline engine provides sufficient performance for the customer”
Future of diesel engines at Nissan
Currently, Nissan continues to sell the mid-size Navara pickup with a diesel engine, but this model is already outdated. As experts note, the automaker has significantly reduced investments in the development of diesel technologies over the past decade.
Although theoretically Nissan could sell a diesel Patrol in Australia in moderate quantities, demand for such a version would be significantly lower in the Middle Eastern markets, and diesel Armadas are almost unpopular in the US. Developing a new diesel SUV for the relatively small Australian market would be economically unviable for the company, especially under current conditions.
The global automotive market continues to demonstrate significant structural shifts in the choice of powertrains. Many manufacturers are focusing on electrification and hybrid technologies, making the development of new diesel engines a less priority direction. For models like the Patrol, which are traditionally associated with reliability and durability, the transition exclusively to gasoline engines may test customer loyalty in regions where diesel technologies have remained popular for decades.
