Issue 17 - Nissan Qatar

Transcription

A NISSAN ME MAGAZINE
ISSUE 17 FEBRUARY - APRIL 2010
www.nissan-me.com
All-New
Nissan Patrol
The Hero Of
All-Terrain
Comes Home
EDITORIAL
www.eshiftmagazine.com
CARLOS GHOSN
PRESIDENT & CEO
NISSAN MOTOR CO. LTD.
As the first Japan-based automaker ever to conduct a
world premiere in the GCC, we are demonstrating Nissan’s
commitment to this important region.
In this part of the world, when you mention the Patrol SUV,
its name and reputation are very familiar. The Nissan Patrol
has a heritage that dates back to the 1950s. This rugged
off-roader was one of the first four-wheel-drive vehicles
introduced in this region – it was the first
off-road1333K’ototyp9s.
AtSuO KOSAKA
MANAGING DIRECTOR
NISSAN MIDDLE EAST FZE
What an important month February 2010 was for Nissan in the Middle East!
On the 13th of the month we were honored to host the events that marked the
first ever World Premiere launch of a product in the GCC by a Japan-based car
manufacturer under the participation of Carlos Ghosn, President & CEO, Nissan
Motor Co. Ltd.
Of course I'm sure you are all now aware that the product I'm referring to
is the all-new 2010 Nissan Patrol SUV. And what a product it is! The new Patrol
is the flagship SUV for the Nissan brand and is a completely new vehicle from
the ground up. You can read all about the new Patrol in this special edition of
SHIFT_magazine, but let me confidently state that the new Patrol will make a
heroic return to the Middle East market to assume its rightful place as ‘The Hero
Of All Terrain’.
As I'm sure you know, the Middle East is the biggest market for the Patrol
in the world and we should all be proud that it has been developed specifically
for the needs and tastes of our Middle East customers. Nissan has put a great
deal of effort into developing this vehicle right here in the region and committed
over 13,000 hours of prototype testing in the region’s deserts in the grueling
heat and on its streets and highways. Now it is our turn to work with our national
sales companies and make sure we promote this fabulous new vehicle to the
high level it deserves. We have an enviable new flagship SUV which leads the
competition in every respect. Let's now tell everyone how great it is....
Good driving!
1
NEWS
Nissan’s EV
expert addresses
Abu Dhabi’s
World Future
Energy Summit
Nissan's new Micra
New Micra shines at
Geneva Motor Show
N
issan
unveiled
its
brand
new
global compact car at the recentlyconcluded
Geneva
Motor
Show,
alongside the world premiere of a new compact
crossover and other refreshed products.
The new Micra is the first model to be
developed on Nissan’s all-new V platform.
The focus for the latest version of the iconic
city car has been on weight reduction, fuel
Nissan posts
better than
expected
financial results
N
issan Motor Company achieved results
leaders
recently
and
industry
experts from across the planet at the World
Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi.
Pierre Loing, Vice-President for Product
Planning and Zero Emission Vehicles, spoke
about the positioning and business model for
the launch of Nissan’s LEAF electric vehicle. He
confirmed that the car’s battery will be leased to
consumers and that the car will initially be sold
in markets where government incentives and tax
credits will help make the vehicle competitive
with conventional vehicles.
The summit was attended by a wealth of
The consolidated net income, after taxes,
2009, totalled 45 billion yen ($508.5 million).
79bhp or a supercharged version with 97bhp.
The good results were due mainly to additional
The car goes on sale this year in more than
sales driven by the scrapping incentives in
160 countries.
major markets such as Europe and the US,
The Juke is designed to bring a breath
as well as increased sales in China and the
of fresh air to the market, rallying against the
effective measures taken following the global
lack of competitors’ originality. It combines
economic crisis.
sporting style with SUV toughness in a
Net revenues increased by 9.9 percent
compact package. Power comes from a new
year on year to almost two trillion yen ($22.6
turbocharged, 1.6-litre petrol engine with
billion), while the operating profit was 134.1
188bhp and 240Nm of torque. Another 1.6-litre
billion yen ($1.5 billion), with an operating
engine with 115bhp, and a 1.5-litre dCi diesel
profit margin of 6.7 percent. The ordinary profit
engine are also available, as is the All-Mode
was 112.7 billion yen ($1.3 billion). During the
4x4-i system, updated to include new torque
third quarter, Nissan sold 882,000 vehicles
vectoring technology – a system that enhances
worldwide, a 10.6 percent increase over the
vehicle agility and has until now only been
same period a year earlier.
From April to December 2009, net income
Also at the Geneva show, the LEAF electric
after tax totalled 54 billion yen ($610.1 million),
vehicle had its European debut. The family car
up 25 percent compared with the previous year.
is the first mass-produced EV and precedes a
Net revenue fell 19.5 percent to 5.3796 trillion
range due from Nissan and its partner Renault.
yen ($60.8 billion). The operating profit totalled
As well as the new vehicles, Nissan
228.9 billion yen ($2.6 billion), an increase of
showed an updated version of the Qashqai,
147.6 percent. Operating profit margin came to
with an all-new front-end look and interior
4.3%. Ordinary profit amounted to 145.9 billion
tweaks to give a more premium feel as well as
yen ($1.6 billion), up 62 percent.
increase practicality. A weight reduction has
Globally, Nissan sold 2,505,000 vehicles in
also reduced the polluting emissions from the
the first nine months of the fiscal year, down
Qashqai’s exhaust.
4.8 percent compared with the same period
improved interiors.
technologies
investors, policy makers, researchers, and
an ultra-efficient three-cylinder engine with
been refreshed, with revised engines and
addressed
third quarter of the 2009 financial year.
for the third quarter October-to-December
The Pathfinder and Navara have also
vehicle
that were better than expected for the
economy and emissions. Power comes from
found on more premium vehicles.
N
issan’s global expert on electric
last year.
The positive results have led Nissan to revise
Nissan LEAF
members of financial institutions. They met to
address and debate key issues surrounding
energy, as well as gaining an insight into the
latest technological innovations.
Mr Loing said: “We have to compete, from
a customer point of view, with the internal
combustion engine, which is highly cost
competitive. We expect within a certain time,
probably five to seven years, the electric vehicle
with the battery will be able to compete headto-head with the internal combustion engine.”
He also emphasised the electric car’s
advantage in the form of lower fuel costs; the
cost of travelling with electricity is far lower than
with petrol. Over its lifetime, the LEAF will cost
10 to 15 percent less than a vehicle powered by
a gasoline engine, he concluded.
its full fiscal year forecast upwards for 2009.
3
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thhee
The Patrol is specifically designed for the sand dunes of the Middle East
4
stops cars unintentionally rolling backwards on
roading challenges. The engine is not only bigger
want to take control of the cogs themselves.
a slope, and Hill Descent Control. HDC is for use
than the 4.8-litre unit in the previous Patrol, it’s
The ‘box’ has a wider range of gear ratios than
on steep off-road terrain and uses the brakes to
also a lot more advanced and refined. Variable
its predecessor, which lets the Patrol deliver
maintain a constant 7kph speed when in high
valve event and lift (VVEL) and direct injection
power faster.
ratio mode (4H) or 4kph when in low ratio mode
gasoline (DIG) technologies ensure that the new
Of course, Nissan wanted to be sure that the
(4L). You can read more about the technology in
Patrol is as fuel-efficient as possible, delivering
technology in the new Hero of All Terrain would
the new Patrol on page 26.
more power than ever before while still keeping
stand up to the rigours of the Middle East. So
polluting exhaust emissions down. A 140-litre fuel
it sent more than 40 engineers from Japan to
tank ensures the Patrol has a large range.
the region, where they spend more than a year
Power in the new Patrol comes from a 5.6litre V8 engine that will be available in two states
of tune, either 320bhp for SE grade models
SE models will come equipped with five
between 2008 and 2009 conducting 13,265
or 400bhp in LE grades. Torque levels rise to
speed automatic gearboxes, while the Patrol LE
hours of testing in the city, on the highway and
560Nm in the LE grades – more than enough
takes advantage of a brand new seven-speed
in the sand. In addition, 200 prototypes were put
to cope with the most arduous of towing or off-
box, with a manual shift mode for those that
through their paces at three proving grounds
7
COVER STORY
The Patrol is just as comfortable on the road as it is in the sand
8
in Japan. The total cost of the New Patrol
development is around US$500 million.
In the stylish Middle East, having capability and
performance is not enough – the new Patrol had to
have the looks to match, and as with the rest of
the car, designers had to strike a balance between
rugged and sophisticated when sketching. While
the Patrol has unmatched credentials off-road,
Nissan is pushing the brand towards a greater
level of luxury and technology and the exterior
visuals of the car needed to reflect that.
So the design team has come up with
Carlos Ghosn and Sheikh Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan share a lighter moment
Colin Dodge, Nissan's senior vice-president, with Sheikh Ahmed Bahwan, Chairman,
Suhail Bahwan Automobiles of Oman
9
PATROL LAUNCH
Carlos Ghosn takes the wheel of the new Patrol in Oman
The CEO Comes To Town
S
everal launch events were staged
to the Middle East market. The new Patrol
in the Middle East for the all-new
is specifically designed for the Middle East
He also met with Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan
Nissan Patrol, and CEO Carlos Ghosn
market, where the Patrol is the signature large
bin Zayed Al Nahyan, from Abu Dhabi ruling
participated in all of these activities in the
SUV product for the brand and enjoys a loyal
family, Abdullah Al Masaood, Chairman of Al
United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi and Dubai)
customer base.
Masaood Automobiles, and a large number of
and in the Sultanate of Oman.
Masaood Automobiles.
In his speech, Mr. Ghosn said: “The new
VIPs. Sheikh Sultan attended a demonstration
The World Premiere launch event on
Patrol is built with the high level of safety,
drive of the new Patrol on a specially constructed
February 13 marked the first time a Japanese
performance and quality that characterises the
4x4 test course in Abu Dhabi.
auto manufacturer has conducted a global
Nissan brand, and we paid special attention
unveiling in the GCC countries. The Patrol was
to the needs of GCC drivers and passengers.
demonstrated
introduced at a gala event for some 1,000 VIPs,
We are confident that our flagship SUV for the
constructed test track in Jebel Ali, near Dubai,
dignitaries, regional national sales company
Middle East will exceed all expectations.”
to assembled dignitaries, media, VIPs and
executives and media at Abu Dhabi’s most
famous hotel, the Emirates Palace.
The following day, Mr. Ghosn met with
and
at
a
specially
guests of Arabian Automobiles Company, the
national sales company in Dubai and Northern
Emirates. The event was attended by Michel
commissioned performance of an Arabian
officially
Ayat, chief executive of Arabian Automobiles.
operetta titled “The Hero Comes Home,” which
recently constructed Infiniti IREDI showroom
The patrol navigated on the obstacle
related to the hero status of the Patrol returning
by the Abu Dhabi national sales company, Al
course as horsemen in traditional Arab attires
inaugurating
conducted
Patrol
national sales company meetings before
10
10
media
the
internal
Nissan Middle East arranged for a specially
selected
In Dubai, on February 15, Mr. Ghosn
in
the
evening
a
The new Nissan Patrol in action
N
issan’s CEO Carlos Ghosn had an extensive agenda during the first-ever
World Premiere of a Japan-based automaker in the GCC. The most arduous
part was when he drove the Hero of All Terrain in a long run of 4.5 hours
through the Coast of Oman’s treacherous mountains.
rode Arabian stallions behind the ‘Hero of All
The event was designed to reflect the
February 16 offered the international media
Terrain’. Mr. Ghosn said during the event in
Patrol’s “Hero of All Terrain” status with a test
invitees a long run of 4.5 hours through steep
Dubai he expected Nissan’s flagship model
drive through the off-road “wadi” valleys and
mountainous stretches, wadis and deserts.
to gain the maximum possible market share in
1,200-meter-high mountains on the rugged
The stretch was from Barr Al Jissah in the
the region.
Coast of Oman, just south of Muscat.
Omani capital, Muscat, passing through Wadi
Mr. Ghosn later attended a luncheon for
While in Oman, Mr. Ghosn also met with VIP
Arbeen and Mount Bani Jaber, through to
guests of Arabian Automobiles at the world-
guests of the Nissan national sales company,
the town of Qurayiat. Mr. Ghosn, who drove
famous Burj Al Arab Hotel. It was hosted by
Suhail Bahwan Automobiles. The glittering
a Patrol for the entire arduous run, had a
Mr. Khalid Al Rostamani, Vice Chairman,
reveal ceremony at Al Waha Amphitheatre
roundtable with the journalists on top of Mount
AW Rostamani Group, to which Arabian
of Shangri La hotel was attended by Suhail
Bani Jaber, at some 1,200m above sea level.
Automobiles Co. belongs.
Bahwan, Group Chairman of Suhail Bahwan
Journalists were impressed by the superb
To conclude the programme, Mr. Ghosn
Group Holding; Ahmed Bahwan, Chairman,
performance of the new Patrol in all terrain.
flew to the Sultanate of Oman, where he
Suhail Bahwan Automobiles, Amal Bahwan,
That apart, a specially laid 4x4 test track at
participated in an extensive media ride-and-
Director of Suhail Bahwan Group Holding,
the state-of-the-art service centre in Athaiba,
drive event with journalists from key Patrol
among and a large number of VIPs and industry
automotive journalists and expert drivers put
global markets, such as the Middle East,
leaders. In his speech, Mr. Ghosn talked about
the new Patrol to the most grueling tests,
Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Philippines
"Nurturing Success".
showing the various new advanced features
and Australia.
As part of the events in Oman, Nissan on
of the ‘Hero of All Terrain’.
11
COVER STORY
Creating Terrain
Fit For A Hero
hen planning the launch of the new
W
“In Portugal we established contact with
Patrol, the team at Nissan Middle East
Nissan Middle East and they were interested in
However, such a task was far from easy. In
knew they needed something special.
our advice and services. They saw the track that
planning and researching the spots for the tracks,
This is no ordinary car, so a mere gala dinner
we made and asked us to help with Patrol as they
the team came across numerous hurdles. “Finding
and unveil, although nice, was not going to be
wanted to do something similar.”
enough. The company needed a way to show off
That meeting led to a project that’s taken
its new Hero of All Terrain in a manner befitting its
more than a year to come to fruition – to build a
go-anywhere capabilities.
facility capable of demonstrating the impressive
The answer presented itself back in 2008,
and most impressive.”
performance of the new Patrol. And not just one
when Nissan Middle East was part of a global
Nissan event held in Portugal, called N360, where
all vehicles manufactured by Nissan globally are
displayed to internal media invitees. Part of the
the right materials was a challenging task.
In Europe, the materials needed are easily
available and are reasonably priced. We are used
facility – three of them.
“We have built three tracks,” said Jordi. “One
in Abu Dhabi, one in Dubai and one in Oman.
DrivingEvents was asked to build something big
for this iconic car, so they are the most impressive
and biggest 4x4 tracks ever built by us. There will
be many VIPs and in the GCC and the Middle East
region, they are used to seeing very impressive
things so it needs to be outstanding.
“The space used to build these driving test
tracks is enormous, bigger than we’ve ever had
12
The Creation Of A New Hero
H
iroyuki Fushiki stresses that simply
to secure safe riding performance, not only in
and interior design were developed for three and
recreating the performance and off-
off-road conditions, but also in on-road driving,
a half years.”
road capability was not enough when
as well as a comfortable experience in long-
designing the all-new Nissan Patrol.
All of the elements had to be redesigned to
cope with the rough use that Patrol is intended for.
As chief product specialist, he wanted to
Work on the new programme officially began
“We took the V8 engine… and revamped the
ensure that focus was put on comfort to ensure
in April 2006, but work on the technology that
cylinder head and almost all of the engine parts,
that the new hero of off-road driving was luxurious
would form the base of the vehicle had already
boosting the engine performance to 400hp,”
and yet still gave premium performance, on and
been going on for two to three years. This meant
Fushiki said.
off the tarmac.
that before the Patrol was even given the green
“As for the transmission, we adopted a
light, the foundations of it had already been
seven-speed automatic transmission for the
tested off-road and in the desert.
first time. This transmission will enable powerful
“Our unique selling points are comfortable
interior space, tough and dynamic performance
and high-level safety secured by numerous
advanced devices,” Fushiki explains.
“At the beginning of the project we already
had a grasp over the development of the engine,
riding performance in desert conditions, as well
as improved fuel efficiency on the expressway.”
“The Patrol has always been highly praised
chassis and the various body components that
The four-wheel independent suspension
for its excellent off-road performance and its
secure vehicle comfort. Our team took it from
used in the Armada and Pathfinder has been
capabilities in desert conditions. However, as
there, adding the extra performance properties,”
overhauled for the Patrol, while a new hydraulic
the social environment changes and customers
Fushiki said.
body motion control system has been brought
change too, we believe that this feature alone
is not sufficient.
“In the creation of the new Patrol, we worked
14
distance travel and in city traffic congestion”.
“Therefore the platform itself was developed
for the first time in a Nissan vehicle, giving
over a period of about five years, while the
excellent ride comfort around town and high
outstanding and beautiful vehicle body, cabin
stability while in the desert.
ROAD TEST
On And Off-Road In Oman
We Drive The New Patrol
1616
I
t’s late at night near Qantab, on the outskirts
Nissan Middle East. Among those present is
of Muscat. I venture outside the Shangri-La
Carlos Ghosn, Nissan’s President & CEO and
Hotel into the cool night air.
Gilles Normand, Corporate Vice President,
I’m not the only one. Other guests
Africa, Middle East and India Operations. The
at the launch of the all-new Nissan Patrol
presence of such automotive luminaries is
have also made their excuses from the
an indication of just how seriously Nissan is
dinner table and wandered outside. One of
taking the Middle East when it comes to this
the new Patrol's is parked at the entrance.
new machine.
Coincidence? I think not.
Product specialist Hiroyuki Fushiki takes us
The Shangri La has been built away from the
through the design and ethos of the new Patrol
city, in the hills above Muscat and has its own
and explains the history of the project, which
road leading up to it. It’s beautiful, high above
began in 2004. The Patrol name and the off-
the hustle and bustle of the city and overlooking
road are synonymous with each other, so the
the Gulf of Oman.
challenge for Ni]TJ933i]TJ933i]Te5(and T.-229a92(, )-229i2nn2
So why are these journalists all huddled
around a car, rather than gazing at the splendour
of nature? It’s a sign of how excited the region
is about the new Patrol, the most important car
that Nissan has launched in the region for more
than a decade.
Among the assembled people at the
entrance to the hotel is the SUV brand manager
from Nissan Middle East. We end up standing
outside until 11.30pm talking about colours,
options and accessories and the impact that
this car will have in the region. In the end I
decide to retire to bed, but the discussion could
have continued for another half hour at least.
The following day we gather in a small,
bustling conference room, filled with journalists
and personnel from Nissan in Japan as well as
17
ROAD TEST
The test drive took place on the winding mountain roads along the coast of Oman
taken driving duties, so I hop in the back –
the first year. It’s a flagship SUV for Nissan.”
We continue away from the hotel and join the
highway, heading inland towards al Khufa. Gilles
contines to talk about the Patrol, and reveals a
surprising source of inspiration for the vehicle –
Nissan’s flagship sports car, the GT-R.
“One of the underlying philosophies of the
Nissan product team is that there has to be a
little bit of the GT-R in every Nissan,” he says.
“The GT-R was developed with a core
philosophy of go anywhere, do anything and
that’s the same concept carried through for
Patrol. So you can take it on-road, off-road,
to the mall, it’s easy to park thanks to a tight
turning circle, you can take it to the beach or
tow a yacht with it.”
The first leg of the journey is predominantly
on-road and we cover around 100km on
highways before heading up into the hills
once again, the roads twisting and winding
their way up to a higher altitude. This is our
first chance to really feel the car shifting
its weight as it went around corners and it
really showed off the handling prowess of the
Patrol and more specifically the Hydraulic
Body Motion Control system, which works
superbly. The suspension is firm when needed
and comfortable when needed, with body roll
The Patrol's 5.6-litre V8 puts out 400bhp
18
ROAD TEST
Water holds no fear for the Patrol
20
21
HERITAGE
“It Will Never
Let You Down”
S
heikh Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan
has been a long-time enthusiast of the
Nissan Patrol.
The Abu Dhabi sheikh believes the Patrol has
made itself part of the heritage of the region.
Abu Dhabi’s VIPs, as well as those in the
rest of the UAE, view the Nissan Patrol as a
great asset in their desert expeditions and on
hunting trips.
“I am in love with Nissan Patrol,” Sheikh
Hamad revealed. “Certainly, there are cars from
other brands that I like, and that’s no secret. But
22
I
t was back in 1972, just months after the
UAE’s creation, that Abdullah Mohammed
Al Masaood entered into the motor trade
in Abu Dhabi.
The Al Masaood family business then
comprised three divisions, with Abdullah Al
Masaood, Chairman of Al Masaood Automobiles,
the National Sales Company of Nissan in Abu
Dhabi and the Western Region, receiving a
trade licence from the Abu Dhabi Chamber of
Commerce to operate as Nishiwa Trading to
import Nissan cars from Japan; after two further
years, he had added the American AMC brand to
his independent Al Masaood stable.
“There were very few models at that time,”
says Al Masaood today, a greying yet dapper
figure sat neatly in his cavernous corporate office,
surrounded by light wood furnishing and age-old
photographs of him meeting local and foreign
dignitaries. “We had just the Datsun Patrol and
some small cars and a pick-up. It was slow but
sure business because the engineering standard
was very high and people wanted reliable cars.”
But it was still only a small operation. Al
Masaood was selling models that were mass
sellers around the world at rates of just 15 to 20
cars every month; it was a big contrast to the
21,000 Nissan units the dealership sold in 2008.
“However, many of these cars brought big value
24
The Nissan Patrol
has always been a
fantastic car, and it
will continue to be
so
Abdullah Mohammed Al Masaood
25
Cool Box
The new Patrol has a cool box mounted
it the centre console between the front
seats. Designed for keeping drivers and
passengers refreshed while out in the desert,
in incorporates a double hinge design that
enables the lid to be opened from either the
front or second row of seats. Up to six 600ml
bottles can be stored inside.
All-Mode 4x4
The Patrol’s ALL-MODE 4x4 system lets
drivers set the car up for different terrain by
flicking a switch. There are modes for sand, onroad, rock and snow.
Intelligent Cruise Control
The new Patrol will feature a high-tech
evolution of cruise control. The technology can
vary the vehicle’s speed depending on the
speed of cars in front of it, and also uses the
satellite navigation to determine when to slow
down for a corner.
The driver sets the cruise control via a
switch on the steering wheel. The Patrol will
then hold that speed until a slower vehicle is
detected ahead, via a radar unit in the front of
the car. Once the vehicle moves out of the way,
the Patrol will accelerate back up to the original
selected speed.
The most advanced feature is the way
that ICC integrates with the Patrol’s navigation
system to determine if the speed should be
MOTOR SPORTS
The Patrol is a favourite in motorsports, with drivers and crowds alike
T
he Nissan Patrol is not just popular with
other extreme it was the first vehicle to traverse
But Nissan dealership owner Andre
the public – it has a long association
the formidable 176,000 square mile Simpson
Dessoude was the first to put the Patrol to
with endurance and motorsport events.
Desert in Australia.
the ultimate test when he took part in the fifth
From minor series like the Australian Off-Road
So, it’s no surprise that the Patrol has been
Paris-Dakar Rally in 1982, completing the
Championships and the Austrian Safari Rally to
the vehicle of choice for some of the most
demanding trek first time around, and then
major international events like the UAE Desert
challenging off-road explorations and events.
achieving second in the diesel prototype
Challenge and the Paris-Dakar Rally, the Patrol
However, it was in the 1980s with the
class three years later. The 1990s saw several
has been a staple of the off-road scene for
introduction of the MQ model that the Patrol
European teams, such as Spain’s Nissan
over twenty years.
first made its mainstream mark as a versatile
Motor Iberica, also entering diesel prototype
off-roader with a tough four-speed manual
Patrol's while Dessoude moved to the Terrano
from the early 1950s, when Nissan agreed to
transmission,
diesel
in which he took several class wins. While
produce a 4x4 vehicle similar to the Willy’s
engines, and a short and long wheelbase
Nissan made investments in their IMSA circuit
Jeep that could service the farmers of middle
variant. Also rebadged as Ford’s Maverick in
championship victories and enjoyed the
America. Since then, the Patrol – or Safari
Australia, the long wheelbase specifically was
limelight during the same period, the Patrol
as it was called in Japan – has become the
to prove highly commercial for both brands,
was always the workhorse of the off-road
byword for a rugged, powerful, go-anywhere
and it paved the way for the launch of the GR
events scene.
vehicle. It made headlines in its homeland for
which featured full-time all-wheel drive, a low
scaling the summit of Mount Fuji while at the
range box and a rear diff lock as standard.
The Patrol draws on its utilitarian heritage
28
two
petrol
and
two
This was made possible internationally
when Dessoude helped establish the Richard-
Nissan
competition
vehicle
production
company that allowed as many as fifty
privateer teams to enter the Paris-Dakar in
both race-prepped Patrol's and Terranos in
mid 1990s.
While the Nissan Pickup inherited the
genes of the Dakar Rally victor, the Patrol has
continued to be the campaigning infantry of
the Nissan motorsports line-up, consistently
finishing at the top of the field in the FIA World
Cup Cross Country Rally, proving its exceptional
reliability. In 2001, five Patrol's finished in the
top ten of the gruelling Spanish Baja. Then
in 2004, just to show that the Patrol still had
legs, the ultimle830(s)-3(r)-2(o20(e)-20(830o-20(e)(t)-20(r)-38(y)-20( )140(R)-2eid20(8320(l)-20(y )]TJTpd207so20(e)-20(830o-20(e)(t)--20(n)-20(g)(8320(-20( )-120(Pdo20
29
ME & MY NISSAN
Age: Job: Where from: Hobbies: What Nissans have you owned?
people know the specifications of the Patrol. The car is
My first car was a 1980 Skyline GT-R and since then
mostly standard in its looks. I added a roll cage, larger
I had owned a 1985 280Z, and a 240L sedan in the
fuel tank, shocks and skid plate and that’s about it. I
same year.
first rallied in a car from another brand, but the Patrol
Since then, I’ve had a 2002 Armada and I currently own
is 100 percent better. The other car needed so much
two Patrol's for the road – a 2002 model and one from
modification or it would break.
1992 which I’ve fitted with a 6.0-litre V8. In addition, I have
a 2008 Patrol that I’m fitting out as a rally car for this year’s
Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. And I have a GT-R as well.
What made you choose so many Nissans?
Nissan make some of the best cars, especially for
our country. It’s maintenance free and you can get
the parts whenever and wherever you want. You can
also modify them easily for performance. And they
look nice!
What do you think of the GT-R?
It’s one of the best cars. So many people want to buy
it from me! I like everything about it – looks, handling,
power, everything. I also like it because it makes me
look younger!
Why so many Patrol's?
It’s one of the toughest off-road cars and one of the best
for stable off-road driving. It’s balanced for high-speeds
in sand and the performance is excellent. It doesn’t
need a lot of modifying for really serious off-roading –
you can leave everything as it is. If you want to rally it you
put in a roll cage and a fire extinguisher and drive; it will
complete the rally easily.
Tell us about your Patrol for the Desert Challenge.
I bought it for a very good price and I can order
motorsports parts very easily from Europe because
30
30
What do you think of the all-new Nissan Patrol?
Everybody likes to have the latest car. I heard from Nissan
that the new car has a V8 and the car is totally changed, so
I was already interested in it. A friend has tested it and said
46
Director – Corporate Partnership Land Department, Government of Dubai
Dubai, UAE
Rallying, bowling
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31

Issue 17 - Nissan Qatar

Transcription

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