Nissan has launched three new editions of the famed Safari, better known to aficionados as the Y61. Aptly named Falcon, Gazelle and Gazelle X, they are any off-roading enthusiast’s dream and are just what the mod-mad Safari fan ordered, and best of all, they come with a 5-year warranty.

The Y61 legacy

The fifth generation of the Nissan Patrol was launched in 1997 and went by the code name Y61. Rising to a cult status, this model has created a parallel universe, inhabited by hardcore offroaders and enthusiasts. In 2010, the Y62 was launched and has created history ever since, and a place that is unique and a road-presence that is usually commanded by premium brands. The offshoot of the Y61 Patrol last launched was the Super Safari in 2015 to the delight of fans. Now, Nissan has gone a step further and launched three new heirs to the Y61 legacy that are more capable and commanding than ever.

Those who are used to the evolved comfort, easy steering and the fluffy ride of the Y62 would enter an unfamiliar world behind the wheel of the Y61 variants. Even as the tanned leather captures an old-world charm, and refinements like an automatic gearbox or a decent music player grace the console, the Safari still belongs to an era where adventure in motion was almost the whole story. ‘Refinement’ would refer to skills and features that made an adventure easier or more enjoyable; distances and challenges more attainable.

See the modification and performance of Falcon, Gazelle and Gazelle X in this video.

The new, more capable, Y61 editions

This time, the modifications that celebrate the spirit of adventure have left the Safari looking the part even more. The new editions also live up to that promise with actual improvements or accessories. These are ‘mods’ commissioned in the Nissan facilities in our region and incorporate skills most sought after by ardent aficionados of adventure. They vary from drawers and compartments in the rear, (in the Gazelle X) that keep your things secure even as you rock along Liwa dunes or the mountains of Petra, to a lift kit, snorkels and suspensions that raise the wading depth from the usual 700 mm to 1200 – 1600 mm for the Gazelle duo.

Front and rear locking differentials, electronically controlled Power Steering, all terrain suspension, electric front winch (optional), and front and rear tow hooks will keep off-roaders and perhaps their less equipped friends on the move. Built-in air compressors (one in Gazelle and two in Gazelle X) also add to the three new editions’ off-roading capabilities

The original frame is intact and these improvements respect the way the Patrol was built. This, and the fact that the changes have been commissioned by Nissan’s regional presence, makes for an undeniable advantage – continuance of the warranty. In fact, the new models come with the usual warranty plus two extra years of cover on the additional features.

The drive train remains the trusty 4.8L inline-six engine mated to a 5-speed transmission available in automatic and manual versions. 280 horsepower and 452 Nm of torque have proved good enough to get around most challenges around. Nissan has also introduced a 5-speed manual gearbox in the Supersafari.

Falcon, Gazelle and Gazelle X

It’s a wonder these names weren’t taken so far – there couldn’t be a more appropriate set of names for Nissan’s off-roading specialists. The Falcon mostly flaunts cosmetic changes and is actually priced less than the Super Safari. The Gazelle duo showcase serious accessories like snorkels, roof carriers, a cage in the rear with storage compartments and air compressors to inflate the vehicle.

Driving the Falcon on the highway, it didn’t feel much different from the Super Safari. When it was time to test the Gazelles on the Mleiha dunes, the Gazelle and Gazelle X were like Shrek in a muddy marsh – very comfortable and amplifying the humble talent I possessed. With the 4-inch lift kit and soft suspensions, the Gazelle X seemed to be better poised for mountain terrain while the Gazelle had wheel travel and suspension settings more ideal for the dunes. A tow rope, sand ramp and emergency kit come as standard. All said, with such formidable features, the new Safari variants, especially the Gazelles, are ready to perform on any terrain. The features and modifications are mentioned below.

Nissan Gazelle Pick up Concept that was showcased during the launch of the Safari 2019 editions.

See the modification and performance of Falcon, Gazelle and Gazelle X in this video.

The key changes and accessories are summarized below. The images will help to list and locate the modifications easily.

Nissan Patrol Falcon Edition

EXTERIOR:

Body stripes on the sides add an urban chic

Chrome front bumper

Silver satin front skid plate

LED beam light bar

Smi-gloss black wheel arches

Halo-shaped Daytime Running Lights

Gleaming exhaust tip

Semi-gloss black spoiler

Chrome-finished petrol can holder

Wheel cover with falcon-design

INTERIOR:

Tan-leather seats embroidered with a falcon badge

Refrigerated cooler box

Dual front airbags

Keyless entry system

Air conditioning with Independent Rear Cooling System

ABS

Automatic Speed Control Device (ASCD) or Cruise Control

Nissan Patrol Gazelle Edition

Body decal and fender flares that match the bodywork

17-inch bronze coloured-alloy wheels

285mm multi-terrain tyres

Blackened front grille and head and tail lights

Rear roof spoiler that can hold flags while driving in the desert

Bespoke tan leather seats and door trims

Strong presence of Gazelle logo – on the seats, hood etc.

Air snorkel to improve air flow in the desert or shallow waters

A tuned remote reservoir shock suspension anodised in Nissan red and black colours

2-inch lift kit with Nissan red coil springs that elevates this Safari

Front electrical winch with a towing capacity of 4,300 kg for rescue operations

Air compressor for inflating tyres

Nissan Patrol Gazelle-X Edition

Steel front and rear bumpers (with rubber protection)

3 x 3-inch cube LED lights on either side of front bumpers

Rear-enforced bumper has extreme duty tow hooks

Custom front skid plate embossed with bright red Gazelle insignia Front hood scoop

Black and red lined 17-inch off road alloy wheels like in rally cars complete with 315mm tyres

A roof rack that can carry up to 200 kg to carry tents or equipment

Powerful 30-inch LED light bar for a night safari

Increased front and rear differential ratios

Remote reservoir shock suspension anodized in Nissan red and black colors

4-inch lift kit with Nissan red coil springs

Performance engineered exhaust system

Custom-made tan leather seats and door trims

Gazelle logo on bumpers, seats, door trims, exhausts etc.

A cage in the rear to store stuff and stop them from flying around

Retractable drawers to keep things organized

Dual compressors for inflating tyres

Pay for the edge but keep the warranty

While the changes are everything an adventurer would want their Safari modified with, a pre-modified Safari allows you to keep the warranty, which isn’t the case with external after-market mods. Likewise, coming from the brand itself, a certain quality is maintained in the accessories added, like adding dual compressors to the Gazelle X considering its heavy-duty appeal. These are the factors that help put up with a substantially high price tag in the whole scheme of things.

THE Y61 PRICING (Automatic Transmission models)

Nissan Y61 GL AED 145,000 / Nissan Safari AED 169,000 / Patrol Falcon AED 174,000 / SuperSafari AED 184,000 / Patrol Gazelle AED 229,000 / Patrol Gazelle X AED 298,000

All models except the GL are available with Manual Transmissions and cost AED 5000 less than their respective Automatic counterpart.