Nissan Presents Seven Milestones that Mark the Patrol’s Seven-Decade Legacy

Marking the 70^th anniversary of the iconic Patrol and honoring the model’s rich legacy and deeply rooted heritage in the region, Nissan takes a trip down memory lane to highlight some of the Patrol’s most impressive milestones over the past seven decades. Through its illustrious history, the Patrol has collected an enviable number of trophies and earned its reputation by proving itself in the scorching heat of the deserts, rugged mountain slopes, and modern city streets as the “Hero Of All Terrain”.

Proving its dedication to the people of the Middle East and as part of the Year of Patrol celebrations, Nissan recently launched a region-exclusive 2022 Patrol 70^th Anniversary model. Making its world premiere at Expo 2020 Dubai, the commemorative model made an impressive statement with a bold exterior design, regal interiors, and a distinctive 70^th Anniversary badge on the fender.

Thierry Sabbagh, Managing Director, Nissan Middle East, said: “Over decades of proving its unshaken reliability and capability, the Patrol has become an intrinsic part of the Middle East and its people, integrating itself as a culture within society. Catering to the unique needs of customers, the Patrol has earned its position as an icon and one that is passed on from one generation to the next. The past 70 years have seen the Patrol accomplish magnificent feats, and as we set our sights on the future, the Patrol will continue to dominate and conquer for many years to come.”

Below are seven key milestones the Patrol has accomplished over the years.

1. First-ever SUV to climb Mount Fuji

The story of the Patrol dates to 1951, when the people of Japan required reliable off-road performance from a utility vehicle. Demonstrating its unique capabilities and off-road prowess, the Patrol was the first car to climb Japan’s revered Mount Fuji, a 2,500-meter ascent that cemented the SUV’s “Go Anywhere” capabilities and made it a favorite among professional and recreational drivers, both in Japan and abroad.

2. 1957: The first Patrol enters the Middle East

As the Patrol began gathering international fame and conquering the world, the second-generation Patrol 60 Series that lasted for 20 years, successfully took on every type of harsh environment imaginable. Making its way to the Middle East, particularly in 1957, the Patrol earned its reputation for crossing the toughest terrain in absolute comfort. Combining luxury with advanced technology and unmatched power, the Patrol quickly established itself as being a cut above the rest, earning its place in the homes of royalty and celebrities alike.

3. First diesel vehicle to ever finish the Paris-Dakar in the Top 10

The third-generation Patrol arrived in 1980 and greatly expanded its appeal to become the preferred choice for families and on-road motorists. With a five-door layout, seating for seven and the addition of air-conditioning, the Patrol’s popularity began soaring among the masses, particularly among those in warmer climates. In 1987, the Patrol Fanta Limon continued the model’s streak of successes by becoming the first diesel vehicle to ever finish the arduous Paris-Dakar Rally within the Top 10.

4. First SUV to redefine comfort and luxury in the segment

The fourth-generation Nissan Patrol was first produced in 1987 and has since revolutionized the segment by offering buyers all-around coil spring suspension (a feature only found on premium models at the time), power steering, and synchromesh in reverse gear. The advancements weren’t only a great leap forward in terms of technical sophistication but truly pushed the bar in terms of comfort and refinement, both of which greatly appealed to its drivers.

5. First rugged SUV built specifically for the Middle East

In 1997, the fifth generation Patrol appeared, bringing the vehicle into the modern age of motoring. Reflecting the evolving expectations of buyers, owners now demanded even greater levels of comfort and off-road performance. The new Patrol catered to this, offering enhanced styling and luxury, as well as increased levels of technical sophistication.

To cater to the diverse needs of seasoned off-roaders in the region, Nissan introduced the Patrol Super Safari in 2016 and two years later welcomed three unique concepts built specifically for the Middle East, the Falcon, Gazelle, and Gazelle X. Paying tribute to a classic, the Patrol Super Safari stays true to its roots and reflects the evolving expectations of buyers for greater comfort and superior off-road performance.

6. Three Guinness World Records by one SUV

The all-new, sixth generation Nissan Patrol saw its global debut in 2010 at a VIP event held in the Middle East, reflecting the Patrol’s special relationship with customers in the region. To cater to the diverse needs of customers and the region’s love for high-performance vehicles, Nissan also introduced the Patrol NISMO in 2015, the first race-inspired Patrol built specifically for the Middle East.

Since its introduction, the Patrol has claimed three Guinness World Records, solidifying its position on the global stage. In 2013, the Patrol towed the world’s heaviest aircraft, a 170-ton Ilyushin-76 cargo plane, for over 50 meters at the Sharjah International Airport. Two years later, the Patrol bagged another record for the fastest ascent of a 100-metre sand dune when it took just 4.9 seconds to climb the famous Wadi-Rum dune in Jordan. In 2018, a group of 180 Patrols set a record for the largest synchronized car dance in Dubai when two concentric lines of cars were driven in the opposite direction to create the figure of a flying falcon.

7. One nameplate, 70 years and counting

70 years after the first model rolled off the production line in Hiratsuka, Japan, the Patrol continues to dominate across the globe. Furthering the SUV’s success in the region, Nissan celebrated the launch of the 2022 Patrol 70th Anniversary model as the first SUV to be unveiled at the world’s largest 360-degree projection dome on the grounds of Expo 2020 Dubai.

Although the car has changed a great deal through the decades in terms of appearance, performance, role and technology, the nameplate itself has remained an unchanging testament to Nissan’s engineering and to enriching the lives of its owners.

The most powerful in its class, the Patrol remains an icon poised to conquer the years ahead. The Patrol is distinguished by its drivers’ diverse and unique experiences, each of whom has their own story to tell. Celebrated through the launch of the Patrol Legends campaign, Nissan places the focus on drivers who have contributed to the SUV’s success and honors the legends behind the wheel. As the Patrol celebrates its 70^th anniversary, Nissan respects the enduring human connection that embodies the Patrol’s true and lasting legacy across the region.

The 2022 Nissan Patrol 70^th Anniversary model is now available at Nissan’s partner network across the Middle East including, Al Masaood Automobiles in Abu Dhabi, YK AlMoayyed & Sons in Bahrain, Arabian Automobiles Co. in Dubai, Abdulmohsen Abdulaziz Al Babtain in Kuwait, Suhail Bahwan Automobiles in Oman, Saleh Al Hamad Al Mana Co. in Qatar, Bustami & Saheb Co. in Jordan, Rasamny-Younis Motor Company (RYMCO) in Lebanon, Anwar Babel Co. in Iraq, and Tehama Trading Co. in Yemen.