New-generation Nissan Patrol previewed by Infiniti QX80 prototype

It’s the next-gen Nissan Patrol in a tuxedo – then wrapped in garbage bags.

Just days after plans for an Infiniti QX80 Monograph Concept were confirmed, Drive’s spy photography partners in Detroit have caught the next-generation luxury SUV testing in camouflage.

And with it, our first confirmed glimpse at the new-shape Nissan Patrol.

While there’s no likelihood of Australia getting the Infiniti QX80 – the luxury sibling to the Nissan Patrol – these images are our best look yet at the Nissan twin, before the Patrol’s possible unveiling in late 2023 or sometime in 2024.

Earlier this week, a senior Infiniti executive told US media the concept for the new QX80 – dubbed the QX80 Monograph Concept – would be shown in June 2023.

Much in the same way the Lexus LX is the luxury version of the Toyota LandCruiser, the Infiniti QX80 is the luxury version of the Nissan Patrol, aimed for markets such as the US and the Middle East.

MORE: Nissan Patrol prototypes spied, twin-turbo V6 rumoured

As previously reported by Drive, unconfirmed reports suggest the new-generation Patrol may be a heavily-revised version of the current 13-year-old model – though these spy photos appear to lend weight to that claim.

The Infiniti looks to join the split headlight trend seen on many new cars, with a thin strip of LED daytime-running lights below the forward edge of the bonnet, while the main beams are hidden in a unit integrated lower down with outermost air vents in the front bumper.

The vents on the quarter panels behind the front wheel arches have been redesigned, while further back the pull door handles have been replaced with flush-mounted items.

While the wedge-shaped D-pillar is behind camouflage, we can see the second row of doors now use a large single pane of glass, rather than smaller winding window and fixed quarter glass as on the current model.

It’s likely a number of these design changes will be carried over to the Patrol.

MORE: Nissan Navara, Patrol hybrids possible with new e-Power technology

Above: The current Nissan Patrol.

Engines have yet to be confirmed, but overseas media has reported the new-generation Patrol will take a similar path to the LandCruiser 300 Series and drop its petrol V8 engine for a twin-turbo V6.

Despite the smaller engine – which is said to be a 3.5-litre unit – reports claim the V6 will outperform the current model’s 5.6-litre V8, which produces 298kW and 560Nm.

The 2024 Infiniti QX80 is expected to make its debut in late 2023 or early 2024, with the new-generation Nissan Patrol to follow.

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