Nissan Patrol ‘Desert Edition’ to write new chapter in legend of ‘Hero of All Terrains in Life’

The renowned Nissan Patrol has been made even more capable off-road with the World Premier launch of the Desert Edition – a new model conceptualized and developed in collaboration with the Middle East’s most famous and influential motorsports personality, Dr Mohammed Ben Sulayem, specifically for this region.

The Nissan Patrol Desert Edition made its global debut at the 13th annual Dubai Motor Show, affirming Nissan’s customer-centric commitment to delivering tailored models for regional consumers.

Managing Director of Nissan Middle East, Samir Cherfan, said: “The development of the Nissan Patrol Desert Edition followed a research study that we conducted in the GCC, which outlined that our consumers wanted an ultimate off-roading version of the Patrol tailored to the region. The Nissan Patrol already occupies a unique place in the hearts and minds of off-road enthusiasts in the Middle East, teamed with the survey results we believed it was fitting for us to offer a special Desert Edition for its fans here. With his vast and unparalleled levels of experience, it was clear that there was nobody better to partner with than Dr Ben Sulayem. It is not only the ultimate Nissan Patrol but is also, without a doubt, the most capable vehicle there is for exploring this region’s unique and challenging terrain.”

Visually identifiable with special ‘Desert Edition’ and ‘MBS’ badges, this new model is based on the Nissan Patrol LE, powered by Nissan’s powerful 5.6L V8 engine that generates a formidable 400hp and 560Nm of torque. It is mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission that incorporates manual mode and synchronised rev control – a set up that guarantees unmatched driving enjoyment, whatever the terrain. 

With Dr Ben Sulayem’s personal involvement, the mighty Nissan Patrol is now even more capable. Its suspension has been specially tuned after extensive and punishing sessions of desert testing. Having spent so much of his time competing in some of the harshest conditions on earth, Dr Ben Sulayem went further still and specified special equipment to ensure the Desert Edition won’t ever be caught short. 

“To lend my initials to any vehicle, it has to be the best of its kind,” says Dr Ben Sulayem of his involvement in the Desert Edition project. “It was particularly thrilling for me to have so much influence over the technical specification of what was already the ultimate off-road machine. With my decades of first-hand experience competing in – and winning – the toughest off-road events in the world, this new Nissan Patrol Desert Edition has been developed to be the very best.”

Special skid plates for underbody protection are an obvious enhancement. In addition it has an on-board tyre inflator for getting the car’s tyres back to normal pressure for driving home, as well as ‘Bead-lock’ wheels that enable those tyres to be used at extremely low pressures, without the risk of the tyres coming off. Both of these technical additions make the Nissan Patrol Desert Edition unique in the market. 

To further assist off-road adventures, the Desert Edition is supplied with a state-of-the-art navigation system as part of its infotainment package, complete with forward facing and reversing cameras alongside a Bluetooth® hands free system. 

Special wheel arch protectors (or ‘Over-fenders’) add a sense of visual purpose but are there for more than just show, and the Desert Edition’s specification includes sand ramps, as well as a kinetic rope should its driver want to assist anyone else stuck in the sand.

For decades the Nissan Patrol has been forging an enviable reputation as the hero of off-roading in the Middle East, recently setting a Guinness World Record for the fastest time to ascend a 100 meter sand dune by a production car. The Nissan Patrol climbed the dune in Jordan’s Wadi Rum in a staggering time of 4.9 seconds in order to break the record. In addition, the Nissan Patrol has proved its worth on the international rally circuit, helping Nissan sponsored drivers Denis Berezovskiy, win the FIA T2 World Championship and Emile Khneisser to take second place. 

The Nissan Desert Edition is being launched to further build on this unique heritage and take the Nissan Patrol greater heights. The Nissan Patrol’s platform is ideal for such a transformation, being incredibly versatile and adaptable, and the sheer number of these desert heroes still in regular use after decades of pounding the dunes is testament to the model’s inestimable build integrity.

Nissan’s comprehensive market research, carried out across the GCC, has proved there will be significant demand for the Desert Edition. To maintain its exclusivity, the new model will be available in strictly limited numbers and is sure to become highly prized by drivers throughout the region who have a keen sense of adventure and a taste for exploration.

“The standard equipment included in the Nissan Patrol Desert Edition makes this the ‘must-have’ full-size SUV in the marketplace for any desert driving enthusiast. As it is based on the Nissan Patrol LE, neither luxury nor refinement has been compromised in its development. There really is no other vehicle like it and it further solidifies the Nissan Patrol’s deserved reputation as the ‘Hero of All Terrains in Life,” continued Cherfan. 

The new Nissan Patrol Desert Edition is priced at $69,430 USD in the UAE. Prices per market will vary from region to region.