Category Archives: NEW CARS

NEW CARS

The Nissan Patrol Returns to the Spotlight at SEMA

Nissan’s booth at this year’s SEMA show has something we didn’t expect to see: the word Patrol. That’s right—the nameplate Nissan USA spent years politely ignoring is suddenly front and center, plastered on not one but two heavily modified off-road builds. For a vehicle Americans were never officially allowed to buy, the Patrol sure knows how to make a comeback.

For the uninitiated, the Nissan Patrol has long been Japan’s answer to the Toyota Land Cruiser. It debuted in 1951 and quickly became a global go-anywhere legend—everywhere except here. U.S. buyers only got a taste in 2017, when Nissan’s second-generation Armada quietly revealed itself to be little more than a rebadged Y62 Patrol. Same bones, different passport.

But now, at SEMA, Nissan’s pulling back the curtain. The company brought two very different takes on the Patrol spirit: a modern off-road support rig and a classic restomod monster.

Nissan Dune Patrol: Luxury Meets the Sandblaster

The first is the Nissan Dune Patrol, which Nissan describes as “the ultimate, ultra-comfortable support vehicle for the most extreme off-road events.” Translation: it’s built to hit the dunes hard without turning your spine into gravel.

Underneath, the Dune Patrol packs serious hardware—custom long-travel suspension bits including control arms, spindles, shock towers, and drive axles, all working with Bilstein-based coil-overs. None of it’s off-the-shelf, but that’s SEMA for you.

The good news? The truck is also a preview of what might come to Nissan’s NISMO accessories catalog. Among the prototype parts are high-clearance bumpers with LED driving lights, tow shackles, rock sliders, a low-profile roof rack with integrated storage boxes, and a NISMO cat-back exhaust. Inside, you’ll find a smattering of catalog-ready add-ons: floor mats, scuff guards, and seatback organizers—proof that Nissan’s thinking about practicality along with playtime.

Fosberg Racing Patrol: A 1,000-Horsepower Time Machine

If the Dune Patrol is about refinement, the Fosberg Racing Patrol is pure chaos. Based on a classic 1990 Y60-generation Patrol, this build is a love letter to old-school overlanding—with a dose of modern lunacy.

The chassis rides on a NISMO off-road suspension and 17-inch beadlock wheels wrapped in 35-inch Yokohama tires. Up top sits a Fosberg light bar bristling with NISMO LEDs. Inside, there’s no mistaking its racing intent: Recaro buckets, a quick-release steering wheel, and minimal creature comforts.

Forsberg Racing’s 1000-HP Nissan Patrol Steals the SEMA Spotlight

Then there’s the engine. The heart of this beast is a TB48 4.8-liter inline-six—an engine from the later Y61 Patrols—taken from a humble 248 horsepower to a wild 1,000 horsepower, courtesy of a Garrett Motion G42-1200 turbocharger. Best of all, Fosberg left the manual transmission intact. A thousand horses, three pedals, and solid axles? That’s the good kind of insanity.

The Return of a Legend

It’s refreshing to see Nissan embracing the Patrol name in the U.S.—even if only at a show like SEMA. Between the dune-bashing comfort rig and the turbocharged throwback, Nissan’s message is clear: the Patrol still has the chops to compete with the world’s toughest 4x4s.

You can see both trucks—alongside the latest Nissan Frontier and the Fosberg Racing NISMO GT-Z—at this year’s SEMA show. Whether you’re into factory-backed tech or old-school firepower, these builds prove one thing: the Patrol is no longer pretending to be an Armada.

Source: Nissan

NEW CARS

Nissan Frontier Pro: The Retro-Futuristic Bargain Truck That’s Making America Blush

With its sharp-edged, retro-futuristic face and electrified ambitions, Nissan’s new Frontier Pro was already a head-turner. But here’s the kicker—it’s not just the design or the fact that it’s the first Nissan global model designed and built entirely in China. It’s the price tag that’ll make U.S. truck builders break into a cold sweat.

Sticker Shock, the Good Kind

The Frontier Pro, developed in partnership with China’s Dongfeng Motor, has just gone on sale for ¥176,900, or roughly $24,800. That’s not a typo. It’s a figure so low it could make Detroit automakers spill their morning coffee.

For context, the bare-bones Slate Auto EV truck—which might not even come with powered windows—aims to start around $28,000 if everything goes perfectly. And if you walk into a Nissan dealership in the U.S. today, a base Frontier will set you back at least $32,150, before taxes and fees.

Under the Hood (and Under Budget)

At that base price, buyers in China get a 2.0-liter gasoline engine, an eight-speed automatic from ZF, and BorgWarner’s Mlock four-wheel-drive system—serious mechanicals for not a lot of money.

Step up to the next petrol version, and you’re still only at ¥196,900 ($27,600). Prefer diesel? Nissan’s got you covered with two 2.3-liter options, both hovering around the $25,000–28,000 range.

But the one that really changes the conversation is the plug-in hybrid (PHEV).

The Electrified Game-Changer

Visually, the PHEV is the easiest to spot—its segmented LED light bar connects the headlights across the nose, with a clean band of body-colored trim underneath. The purely combustion models skip these touches and, frankly, look a little dull by comparison.

But let’s be honest, you’re not paying extra for the pretty lights. You’re doing it because this truck’s 1.5-liter plug-in setup punches out 402 horsepower (408 PS)—more than double what the gas or diesel models can muster.

Even better, Nissan claims an electric-only range of 84 miles (135 km). That’s impressive by any standard, especially in a truck that still wears mud tires and doesn’t apologize for it.

Big Truck, Modern Feel

With a 3,300-mm (130-inch) wheelbase, the Frontier Pro is slightly longer between the axles than the short-bed American Frontier. Yet inside, it looks decades newer.

A massive 14.6-inch tablet-style infotainment screen, fully digital gauge cluster, and slick electronic shifter give the cabin a tech-forward vibe that wouldn’t feel out of place in a premium EV SUV. It’s the kind of interior that makes the U.S.-spec Frontier look like it’s still living in 2015.

Global Intentions, Local Limitations

Nissan isn’t keeping this one locked inside China. The company says it plans to export the Frontier Pro to other markets in the near future.

Don’t get too excited, though—the Chinese-built model isn’t coming to the U.S. Instead, Nissan’s CEO recently confirmed that a hybrid version of the Frontier is already in development for North America. So while American buyers won’t get this Frontier Pro, something inspired by it is definitely on the way.

Why It Matters

The Frontier Pro is proof that China’s automotive industry isn’t just catching up—it’s leading in design, tech, and value. Nissan’s decision to build and launch its first global model there isn’t just a symbolic move; it’s a strategic one.

If the U.S.-bound hybrid inherits even half of the Chinese truck’s powertrain smarts and pricing sanity, we could be looking at the first truly global pickup that bridges East and West—not just in concept, but in capability.

Source: Nissan

NEW CARS

Citroën Ami Dark Side: The Tiny Rebel Goes Matte Black for 2025

Citroën’s little electric cube has always marched—or rather, hummed—to the beat of its own motor. The Ami, launched in 2020, was never about following the rules of automotive design. It looked like something drawn straight out of a comic strip, a cheeky toy for the streets with the charm of a smiley emoji on wheels. Now, five years later, the French brand is embracing its mischievous streak once more with the Ami Dark Side, a Halloween-ready special edition that swaps its pastel hues for a matte black cloak and a bolder, more mature edge.

From Cartoon Cute to Dark Chic

The original Ami made urban mobility fun, approachable, and just a little absurd—in the best way. The 2025 restyle didn’t erase that personality, but it did give the tiny EV a grown-up makeover. The “Night Sepia” shade debuted earlier this year, softening the plastic bubble’s cartoon features with a bit more sophistication. The Dark Side, however, takes things to another level.

For the first time, the Ami is drenched in Black Night—a deep matte black finish that transforms its whole presence. White accents add sharp contrast: stickers, wheel trims, and graphic cube motifs give it a futuristic, almost digital vibe. The result? A car that can look rebellious or refined depending on its surroundings. It’s the Batmobile’s mischievous Parisian cousin—compact, electric, and wearing a grin instead of a scowl.

A New Face for the Familiar Smile

Citroën’s designers have sharpened Ami’s expression without losing its friendliness. The raised headlights now sit just under the windshield, framed by new black eyelid-like trims that make the car look more awake, more intentional. Between them, a molded “capsule” acts as a cheeky grin—this time with a matte black finish outlined in white. It’s subtle, but the effect is striking.

Out back, the new rear spoiler adds a hint of dynamism (and a splash of humor, because really—how fast can an Ami go?). The checkerboard wheel covers and door graphics nod to Citroën’s playful side, proving once again that even at 45 km/h, style matters.

Inside the Micro Batmobile

Step inside, and you’ll find Citroën hasn’t gone full goth. The Color Pack Dark Side introduces light gray accents and neatly stitched floor mats, adding brightness to the otherwise monochrome mood. The familiar smartphone-based infotainment setup remains—no screen, just your phone secured to the dash, running My Ami Play. From there, the Citroën Switch on the steering wheel handles music, navigation, and calls with surprisingly slick simplicity.

Practicality hasn’t been sacrificed either. Three modular storage boxes on the dashboard, a passenger bag hook, and nets for smaller items make the most of the tiny cabin. It’s minimalist, but clever.

Accessible, Electric, and Unapologetically Different

Underneath the special-edition flair, the Ami Dark Side is still the same lovable micro-EV: 100% electric, 75 km of range, a top speed of 45 km/h, and eligible to drive from as young as 14 in some countries. It’s as much an appliance as it is a vehicle—perfect for dense cities, short commutes, or anyone who simply wants to stand out in traffic.

With nearly 85,000 units sold since launch, Citroën’s gamble on radical simplicity has paid off. The Ami has become a pop-culture icon, the anti-car in a world obsessed with horsepower and hyper-efficiency. The Dark Side edition doubles down on that identity: a fashion statement for the electric age, equal parts eco and attitude.

Price and Availability

Starting at €8,890 in France and available across Europe—including Germany, Belgium, Austria, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, and Italy—the Ami Dark Side remains one of the most affordable EVs you can buy. Orders open October 31, with deliveries set for January 2026. And yes, Citroën hasn’t forgotten the practical crowd: the My Ami Cargo and My Ami for All variants also get the Dark Side treatment.

The Ami Dark Side isn’t faster, bigger, or more capable than before—and that’s exactly the point. It’s a statement piece, a cultural object as much as a mobility tool. Citroën has once again managed to turn practicality into personality, proving that even the smallest EV on the road can have a big attitude.

Because sometimes, the dark side just looks better in matte black.

Source: Citroen