It was already a force to be reckoned with, but Nissan has just unveiled a new, race-inspired version of the famous Patrol, and it’s called the Nismo.
The car was revealed to the Middle East on Wednesday in a virtual launch, and the marketing people made what we were about to see clear – the new Patrol Nismo, they said, has been crafted to conquer.
Judging by the presentation, there is evidence to back up these claims.
The 2021 Patrol Nismo looks tougher than ever before. The production team were intent on giving the new vehicle a series of features to differentiate it significantly from its siblings. There is a reinvigorated dark-chrome grille, as well as an updated roof spoiler and side ducts. The rear bumper has been adorned with a falcon-wing design – clearly a nod to the Middle East – and there are 22-inch, two-tone alloy wheels. Red accents adorn the exterior, and the Nismo logo has been liberally scattered around the entire vehicle.
Four unique exterior colours are available (white pearl, silver metallic, grey metallic and black solid), but you only get the choice of red and black on the inside.
The 2021 Patrol Nismo has had its suspension modified, and its 5.6-litre V8 engine tuned up. In fact, the powertrain has been tuned by the "takumi", Nissan's master craftsmen (there are only five of them in Japan).
In this form, the engine will produce 428 horsepower. The car shows its sportiness as it almost leaps when it accelerates in its most dynamic mode. However, stability, we're assured, will never be an issue.
It is only customers in the Middle East that get these exclusive models though, so interest is high in the region
Inside, you’ll find Alcantara and leather seats with a quilting pattern, which Nissan says are more comfortable than ever before, and a refreshed centre console features both seven and eight-inch screens. There is a Nismo illuminated running board, visible as you enter the car, and carbon veneer finishings throughout the cabin. And the 13-speaker Bose sound system should be suitable for whatever you fancy listening to.
The Patrol first got the Nismo badge in 2010. It is only customers in the Middle East that get these exclusive models, though, so interest is high in the region.
That Nismo name then … it’s a compression of Nissan Motorsports, and the brand uses it as an add-on to describe some of its most high-performance vehicles. As an organisation, Nismo exists as the manufacturer’s in-house tuning and racing division. The first production car to get this badge was the Skyline, back in 1987, but there have been many more since. Well-known models, including the 370Z, the Juke and the Micra, have all had the Nismo treatment.
The word "icon" is frequently overused, but the Patrol is exactly that in terms of its impact on the Emirates. There is no let-up in its popularity, either. Al Masaood Automobiles, for example, reported a 25 per cent increase in sales for the vehicle in 2020 versus 2019. Research by the Abu Dhabi and Al Ain distributor suggests it is still the top choice of car for both citizens and residents alike, and, for the last decade, it has been the UAE capital's most popular car.
Being in constant production since the 1950s, the Patrol can claim a reputation as one of the most durable vehicles, off-road or otherwise, in the region. And this latest version is the top of the tree.
The 2021 Nissan Patrol Nismo is available in the Middle East now, and costs Dh385,000.
Take a look at the Nissan X-Terra here:
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Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
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SPEC SHEET
Display: 6.8" edge quad-HD dynamic Amoled 2X, Infinity-O, 3088 x 1440, 500ppi, HDR10 , 120Hz
Processor: 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/Exynos 2200, 8-core
Memory: 8/12GB RAM
Storage: 128/256/512GB/1TB
Platform: Android 12
Main camera: quad 12MP ultra-wide f/2.2, 108MP wide f/1.8, 10MP telephoto f/4.9, 10MP telephoto 2.4; Space Zoom up to 100x, auto HDR, expert RAW
Video: 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, full-HD@60fps, HD@30fps, super slo-mo@960fps
Front camera: 40MP f/2.2
Battery: 5000mAh, fast wireless charging 2.0 Wireless PowerShare
Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC
I/O: USB-C
SIM: single nano, or nano and SIM, nano and nano, eSIM/nano and nano
Colours: burgundy, green, phantom black, phantom white, graphite, sky blue, red
Price: Dh4,699 for 128GB, Dh5,099 for 256GB, Dh5,499 for 512GB; 1TB unavailable in the UAE
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From exhibitions to the battlefield
In 2016, the Shaded Dome was awarded with the 'De Vernufteling' people's choice award, an annual prize by the Dutch Association of Consulting Engineers and the Royal Netherlands Society of Engineers for the most innovative project by a Dutch engineering firm.
It was assigned by the Dutch Ministry of Defence to modify the Shaded Dome to make it suitable for ballistic protection. Royal HaskoningDHV, one of the companies which designed the dome, is an independent international engineering and project management consultancy, leading the way in sustainable development and innovation.
It is driving positive change through innovation and technology, helping use resources more efficiently.
It aims to minimise the impact on the environment by leading by example in its projects in sustainable development and innovation, to become part of the solution to a more sustainable society now and into the future.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
Tributes from the UAE's personal finance community
• Sebastien Aguilar, who heads SimplyFI.org, a non-profit community where people learn to invest Bogleheads’ style
“It is thanks to Jack Bogle’s work that this community exists and thanks to his work that many investors now get the full benefits of long term, buy and hold stock market investing.
Compared to the industry, investing using the common sense approach of a Boglehead saves a lot in costs and guarantees higher returns than the average actively managed fund over the long term.
From a personal perspective, learning how to invest using Bogle’s approach was a turning point in my life. I quickly realised there was no point chasing returns and paying expensive advisers or platforms. Once money is taken care off, you can work on what truly matters, such as family, relationships or other projects. I owe Jack Bogle for that.”
• Sam Instone, director of financial advisory firm AES International
"Thought to have saved investors over a trillion dollars, Jack Bogle’s ideas truly changed the way the world invests. Shaped by his own personal experiences, his philosophy and basic rules for investors challenged the status quo of a self-interested global industry and eventually prevailed. Loathed by many big companies and commission-driven salespeople, he has transformed the way well-informed investors and professional advisers make decisions."
• Demos Kyprianou, a board member of SimplyFI.org
"Jack Bogle for me was a rebel, a revolutionary who changed the industry and gave the little guy like me, a chance. He was also a mentor who inspired me to take the leap and take control of my own finances."
• Steve Cronin, founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com
"Obsessed with reducing fees, Jack Bogle structured Vanguard to be owned by its clients – that way the priority would be fee minimisation for clients rather than profit maximisation for the company.
His real gift to us has been the ability to invest in the stock market (buy and hold for the long term) rather than be forced to speculate (try to make profits in the shorter term) or even worse have others speculate on our behalf.
Bogle has given countless investors the ability to get on with their life while growing their wealth in the background as fast as possible. The Financial Independence movement would barely exist without this."
• Zach Holz, who blogs about financial independence at The Happiest Teacher
"Jack Bogle was one of the greatest forces for wealth democratisation the world has ever seen. He allowed people a way to be free from the parasitical "financial advisers" whose only real concern are the fat fees they get from selling you over-complicated "products" that have caused millions of people all around the world real harm.”
• Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.org
"In an industry that’s synonymous with greed, Jack Bogle was a lone wolf, swimming against the tide. When others were incentivised to enrich themselves, he stood by the ‘fiduciary’ standard – something that is badly needed in the financial industry of the UAE."
