The rugged Nissan Armada was refreshed for the 2021 model year in the US with sharper styling and a modernized cabin. In the Middle East, the Armada is sold as the Nissan Patrol, which spawned a high-performance Nismo variant with over 400 horsepower. We're still jealous the Nismo Patrol isn't sold in America.

Now, the Middle East's most popular SUV has just turned 70, and to celebrate the anniversary, Nissan is launching a new special-edition version. Technically, though, the Nissan Patrol didn't arrive in the Middle East until 1956, but the model's origins date back to 1951 when the first-generation Patrol launched in Japan based on the Willys Jeep.

Dubbed the 2022 Nissan Patrol 70th Anniversary, the special-edition SUV made its public debut at the Expo 2020 Dubai. To set it apart from the regular Patrol, the 70th Anniversary SUV sports a bold V-Motion chrome grille, chrome trim on the bodywork, and a 70th Anniversary logo on the side fender vent. It also rides on 20-inch machine-cut alloy wheels.

As for the interior, the 70th Anniversary Patrol is available with a new burgundy trim option featuring diamond-stitched quilted leather seats. As standard, the special-edition Patrol is equipped with a redesigned center console, a 12.3-inch display with wireless Apple CarPlay, a Bose sound system with 13 speakers, and two 10.1-inch multimedia screens for the rear seats with wireless headphones and screen mirroring.

The Nissan Intelligent Mobility suite is also packaged as standard with a wealth of safety assists including intelligent emergency braking with pedestrian detection, intelligent lane intervention, intelligent blind spot intervention, rear cross-traffic alert with intelligent intervention, and intelligent cruise control.

Under the hood, two engine options are available for the 2022 Patrol 70th Anniversary: a 4.0-liter V6 producing 275 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque or a 5.6-liter V8 rated at 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft. Both engines are mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission. In the Middle East, the 2022 Nissan Patrol is on sale now with prices starting at AED 199,900 ($54,424). Last week, Toyota also unveiled a 70th Anniversary Edition of the Land Cruiser to celebrate that off-roader's enduring legacy. It's great that both these legendary vehicles have stuck around for so long and continue to succeed today.