Japanese enthusiasts are still waiting until spring for the new Y63 Nissan Patrol. Kuhl Racing didn’t care about the wait. They imported the North American twin—the Armada—and set to work. The plan involves two build programs for the full-size SUV. Opposites in every way. Both headed for the Tokyo Auto Salon early next year.
Kuhl dropped a batch of renders and a breakdown before putting metal on ground.
The Iron Build
This package leans into the Armada’s tough instincts. It pushes well past what the factory Pro-4X trim does. High-clearance bumpers go on first. Then broad fender extensions. A roof spoiler tops it off. The hardware signals intent, not decoration.
The angular bodykit looks like steel plate armor. It’s not steel, though. It’s FRP, fiber-reinforced plastic. Kuhl claims this durable composite avoids the weight penalty and cost of real metal. Design limitations? Also avoided.
Off-road gear is serious. 37-inch mud-terrains sit on 22-inch Verz-Wheels. A beefier coilover suspension lifts the ride 2 inches above stock. The real result might be subtler than the renderings imply, but the stance is aggressive.
Slammed Down
Then there is the Urban Style kit. For Patrol and Armada owners who view dirt as an inconvenience. The bodykit features reworked bumper intakes. An aggressive multi-piece splitter. Side skirts match. Aero fins hug the wheel arches. A rear wing and diffuser frame an optional quad-exhaust.
The big change? Ground clearance drops to that of a GT-R. The adjustable suspension slams it down. Performance tires wrap the black alloys. Want it slightly less extreme? Kuhl offers a milder lowering kit with 22-inch VRF01L forged wheels and softer styling cues.
A GT-R height in an SUV is a strange vibe.
More Horsepower
Power upgrades are independent of the bodywork. Or the ride height. The twin-turbo 3.5L V6 makes 425 hp in stock form. The Patrol Nismo hits 460 hp. Kuhl uses ECU remapping to push past those numbers. Over 493 hp is the target. That beats any factory output. Upgraded brakes help manage it—8-piston or even 12-piston calipers are available.
2027 Debut
Both the Iron Build and Urban Style versions land at the Tokyo Auto Salon in January 2027 aren’t one-offs. These are production items. Kuhl plans to sell complete cars. Or just the parts. Through their network.
Will people actually buy them? The renders are loud.
