The sportiest version of what we know as the Armada was caught without camouflage while arriving at dealers in the Middle East
- Photos of the new Nissan Patrol Nismo have surfaced online ahead of its official debut.
- The performance-focused SUV features a fully redesigned bodykit with aggressive styling.
- It will likely use a twin-turbo V6 engine and likely include a sport-tuned suspension setup.
A familiar name in the full-size SUV world is about to get a more aggressive, sporty twist. Nissan’s long-running Patrol, known in the US as the Armada, is preparing to debut a new Nismo variant aimed at adding some performance edge to the lineup. The first undisguised examples have already been spotted while being transported to Nissan dealerships in the Middle East, signaling that the official reveal isn’t far off.
The 2026 Patrol Nismo clearly separates itself from the standard model with a redesigned bodykit that leans heavily into sporty styling. Up front, there’s a massive honeycomb-pattern grille, bracketed by chrome-detailed side intakes and a splitter accented in red.
More: Nissan’s 15-Year Old Patrol V8 Refuses To Die And Australians Still Buying It
Along the sides, protective covers keep the alloy wheels under wraps for now, but a few other design cues are clearly visible. Fender extensions, Nismo-branded side gills, and red-trimmed side skirts running beneath the integrated steps all contribute to the more aggressive look.
Around back, a larger roof spoiler sits above a revised bumper with a faux diffuser and a central F1-style brake light. Like the standard Patrol, the exhaust tips are nowhere to be seen, most likely tucked underneath the bumper.
Overall, the new Patrol Nismo omes off noticeably more aggressive than the outgoing version from 2021, with sharper lines and flashier details that lean hard into the performance theme. Some of the styling elements might push the limits of taste for some buyers, but that seems to be part of the point.
While the Toyota Land Cruiser GR Sport (the 300, not the smaller 250 offered in America) sticks to its off-road roots, the Patrol Nismo stands out as the only model in its segment that tilts decisively toward a road-focused, sportier attitude.
More Than Just a Styling Package
@74rb and @Nissan111Patrol / Instagram
Beyond the exterior tweaks, the new Patrol Nismo is expected to include mechanical upgrades aimed at enhancing on-road handling. Nismo-tuned suspension and steering components could help the traditional ladder-frame SUV feel more confident in corners, with upgraded brakes possibly added to rein in the extra enthusiasm. Of course, no one’s pretending this thing will suddenly carve corners like a sports sedan, but it might at least stop feeling like a yacht in a windstorm.
More: A Detailed Comparison Between The Nissan Patrol And The Armada
As for the powertrain, the badges on the front fenders suggest that the model will be fitted with a turbocharged V6 engine instead of its predecessor’s naturally-aspirated V8. While Nissan hasn’t confirmed specs yet, it’s likely the same twin-turbo 3.5-liter unit used in the standard model, which puts out 425 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. Whether the Nismo version squeezes out a bit more remains to be seen, but either way, power will go to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic.
Nissan hasn’t pinned down an official debut date for the new Patrol Nismo, but given the production-ready prototypes already popping up at dealerships, the full reveal looks just around the corner. The bigger question is whether this generation will finally break out of its regional bubble. The last Patrol Nismo was a Middle East exclusive, and so far, Nissan hasn’t said whether that strategy is changing.
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