Nissan Patrol GU.

2001 March: The Nissan Patrol wagon and Patrol coil cab won 4X4 Australia magazine's Best Family Wagon and Best 4WD Ute awards respectively for the 2nd year in a row [-Nissan].

2000 April: The 2.8 turbo-charged 6-cylinder diesel option in the Nissan Patol GU was replaced with a 3-litre turbo-charged, intercooled 4-cylinder diesel (right). The new engine delivers 116kW at 3600rpm and 354Nm at 2000rpm, actually beating the 4.2 turbo-diesel - the 3.0 is a "modern" efficient unit and the 4.2 is really an old "truck" engine. However, expect the latter to be a steady seller with those looking for long distance reliability and suspicious of modern technology. The 4.2 unboosted diesel has been dropped. The 3-litre diesel has 4 valves per cylinder operated by double overhead camshafts. Twin balance shafts reduce vibration. The engine can also be had with an automatic transmission - in the ST variant.

The bad news: Minimum prices are up by about 10%. On the other hand, side impact airbags are standard on the top `Ti' models, ABS and pasenger airbag optional on the `ST', and driver's airbag on the `DX'.

Compared to other diesels, the ZD30 is said to produce less carbon particles (soot) which are thought to be a health risk. It also controls NO_x formation through exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) which reduces peak combustion temperatures.

Distinguishing features on the series II GU Patrol (left) include a new front grille, and body-colour over-riders on the ST's front bumper. There are new seats and now 2nd-row head-rests on the DX.

1999 June: Bowing to dealer pressure, Nissan made the turbo-charged version of the 4.2 diesel an option in the Nissan Patrol GU station wagon, June 1999. The blown diesel had earlier been released in the GU ute.

Engine options are now: 4.5 litre 6-cylinder petrol, 4.2 litre 6-cylinder diesel either naturally aspirated or turbo-charged, 2.8 litre turbo-diesel. They "range in price from $40,550 (RRP) for the RD28T [2.8] model to $52,990 (RRP) for the new 4.2 litre version" (and $65,800 for the TI petrol).

The naturally aspirated 4.2 litre diesel has had a good reputation for reliability and low down torque, and the light turbo-charging should make it a little more lively in acceleration and better at towing. Indeed, some owners have been fitting after-market turbos on their own initiative.

Small capacity turbo-charged diesels are all the rage in Europe with 2.5 litres being a popular capacity and the 2.8 must have been chosen with this in mind, but where fuel is cheaper there is a good deal of sentiment for a larger, lightly stressed engine.

- 4wd.sofcom.com/Nissan/GU.html

1999 April: Nissan GU Patrol cab-chassis (ute) released with 4.2 litre diesel, optionally turbo-charged.

Nissan Patrol GU, Manufacturer's Specifications

• station wagon, 5+2 seats, 4 doors, driver air-bag (passenger air-bag and ABS brakes on TI)
• loa: 4885mm, width: 1930mm, height: 1855mm
• wheelbase: 2970mm, track: 1605mm/1625mm, grnd clearance: 200mm
• approach: 37, departure: 31, ramp break over: 153
• turning radius: 6.1m
• weight: 2206kg - 2334kg (unladen), GVM: 2960kg, towing: 750kg (unbraked)
• TB45E, 4479cc, petrol, 6-cyls, efi, 2-valves/cyl, ohv
  • bore: 99.5mm, stroke: 96mm, c.r.: 8.5:1
  • power: 145kW at 4400rpm, torque: 350Nm at 3600rpm
• RD28T, 2.8 litre (2825cc) turbo-charged diesel 6-cyl, replaced by ZD30, 4/2000
  • bore: 85mm, stroke: 83mm, c.r.: 21.8:1
  • power: 91kW at 4000rpm, torque: 272Nm at 2000rpm
• ZD30, 3 litre, turbo-charged inter-cooled diesel, 4-cyl, 4 valves/cyl, dohc, offered from 4/2000
  • bore: 96mm, stroke: 102mm, c.r.: 17.9:1
  • power: 116kW at 3600rpm, torque: 354Nm at 2000rpm
• TD42, 4.2 litre (4169cc) naturally aspirated diesel, dropped 2000
  • bore: 96mm, stroke: 96mm, c.r.: 22.7:1
  • power: 91kW at 4000rpm, torque: 272Nm at 2000rpm
• TD42T, 4.2 litre (4169cc) turbo-charged diesel
  • bore: 96mm, stroke: 96mm, c.r.: 22.7:1
  • power: 114kW at 3600rpm, torque: 330Nm at 2000rpm
• transmission: 5m/4a, part-time 4WD, 2-speed tranfer case (hi 1:1, lo 2.02;1), ST & DX: limited-slip rear diff', TI: rear diff' lock
• suspension: live-coils/live-coils, brakes: disc/disc
• tyres: 265/70 R16 (7.50x16 on DX), fuel-tank: 125L (95+30)
• prices station wagon ($au 4/2000)
  • 3-litre turbo diesel $44,790 (DX) to $48,990 (ST) & $51,790 (ST auto),
  • 4.2 turbo diesel $50,990 (DX), $55,190 (ST),
  • 4.5 petrol $50,190 (ST), $52,990 (ST auto') & $68,990 (TI auto)
  station wagon ($au 6/1999,)
  • RD28ETi turbo diesel, DX, manual $40,550; ST, manual $44,650
  • TD42 diesel, DX, manual $45,700
  • TD42T turbo diesel, ST, manual $52,900
  • TB45E petrol, ST, manual $47,700; ST, auto' $50,500; TI auto' $65,800
• prices, cab chassis
  • 4.2 diesel, DX, leaf susp'n $44,690; coil $46,080
  • 4.2 turbo-diesel, DX, leaf $47,490; coil $48,880
• Rivals: Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota 100-series

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