Summarize

Let’s face it, cars like this are on a slippery slope. No, I’m not talking about behemoth SUVs with mausoleum looks, those will be around for a while to come. But V8-powered behemoth SUVs with mausoleum looks that also suck gargantuan amounts of petrol and spew filthy levels of carbon; their days are numbered, so if anything, this Nissan Patrol is a most welcome blast from the past.

Point is that one of these makes up for Lord knows how many Leafs and soon, that wonderful bent-eight will be confined to the history books, likely replaced by some oilburner or a hybrid of sorts.

The Nissan Patrol 5.6 V8 LE Premium is still a mighty piece of kit – it demands attention – as it should be considering it has the presence of a block of flats rolling down the road or thundering over the dunes. It performs well – acceleration in the GTI bracket is pretty impressive for a machine so vast.

Patrol LE comes packed with the literal kitchen sink too – from the epitome of Nissan Intelligent Mobility to the extremes of luxury are all part of the deal. Never mind a sumptuous and cavernous leather-lashed cabin peppered with kit enough to define the thesaurus of the acronym atop a platform carved from a legend as rugged as Africa itself.

Yet the petrol heads among us still found the best part of it to be that good old V8 lump. It may be threatened, but it’s still so special – so let’s hope that more carmakers like Nissan conspire to keep the dinosaur alive – no matter how green the screams of defiance… 

QUICK TEST: Nissan Patrol 5.6 V8 LE Premium

Engine:          298kW 560Nm 5552cc petrol V8

Drive: 7-speed automatic 4x4

TESTED: 

0-100km/h: 6.95 sec   

0-160km/h: 16.73 sec

400m: 14.9 sec @ 151km/h

80-120km/h: 4.70 sec   

120-160km/h 7.75 sec   

CLAIMED:       

VMax: 210km/h  

Max braked trailer: 3500kg

Fuel: 14.4 l/100km

CO2: 334 g/km

Warranty/Service 6y 150/3y 90Kkm

LIST PRICE: R1 339 900

RATED:          80%