Salman Khan Imports New Nissan Patrol SUV At Great Expense, But Not For Fun

Bollywood actor Salman Khan has long been a heartthrob and many of his movies show his petrolhead side. But despite driving brightly coloured convertibles and custom motorcycles in his movies, the actor is quite conservative about his own cars. His most recent purchase is a Nissan Patrol SUV that he has privately imported at great expense. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Nissan Patrol is a Toyota Land Cruiser rival 

The Nissan Patrol, also known as the Armada in North America, is the carmaker’s flagship SUV in global markets. At 5.3 metres, it’s over two feet longer than the five-metre-long MG Gloster for reference – gigantic, indeed. 

The Patrol has a mix of classic and modern luxury features: 

• Quilted leather seats with heating and ventilation 

• Dual or three-zone climate control (depending on variant)

• 12.3-inch infotainment screen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

• Optional 10.1-inch rear-facing screens

• Leather and wood steering wheel 

• Off-road camera 

• 360-degree surround view monitor 

It’s powered by a 5.6-litre V8 petrol engine that makes 400PS and 560Nm and is paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. A 275PS V6 petrol engine is also offered in some markets. Internationally, it’s one of the only true rivals to the Toyota Land Cruiser. 

Interestingly, before buying the Patrol, Salman had been using a Land Cruiser (LC200) as his daily driver. With a similar penchant for ruggedness, capability and reputation for reliability, the Nissan Patrol is a worthy replacement for the ageing Land Cruiser in Salman’s garage. But why would he make the stretch to privately import the Nissan SUV, when the next-generation Land Cruiser, the LC300, already exists in India? 

Psst… Salman’s SUV is armoured  

MSPV Armoured Nissan Patrol (source)

Multiple media reports suggest that Salman’s Patrol SUV is modified with bulletproof armour. That doesn’t come as a surprise, since the actor’s LC200 was armoured as well. The highly specialised, built-to-standard modification is performed by a handful of companies in the UAE. It includes protective additions such as: 

• Bulletproof armour around full cabin 

• Run-flat tyres on all five wheels (including the spare wheel)

• Fuel tank protection 

• Protection for electronic components controlling the drive system (ECU, battery, etc)

• Heavy-duty suspension 

• Right hand drive (on special order only) 

• Underbody armour 

Specialist companies offer to build up the Nissan Patrol to CEN B6 or B7 standards (a European standard of car armour). B6 can withstand firing from high-power rifles, while B7 is the highest level of car armour for civilian vehicles, built to take impact from armour-piercing rifles. 

But why does Salman Khan need this level of protection? According to news reports, the actor has been receiving death threats from gangsters who have previously been involved in multiple high-profile murders. Although the key people threatening the actor are already in jail, it is known that they run a criminal empire despite their incarceration. 

Salman has had Y-Plus-level personal security owing to such threats since 2022. In light of renewed threats, the actor may have chosen to upgrade to the armoured Nissan Patrol as his daily driver. 

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• Salman Khan’s Top Movie Cars That Reveal His Petrolhead Side

 

 

 

 

 

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Amidst these personal issues, the actor has been proactively working on his movie projects. His next movie, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, is set to be released on April 21, 2023, on Eid ul Fitr. A sequel to Tiger Zinda Hai named Tiger 3, is also set to be released in November this year.