By T. Murrali
In a simple but important announcement, Nissan has revealed its next global SUV — the All-New Nissan Tekton. The name itself, drawn from the Greek word for “craftsman,” hints at what the brand aims to achieve: a perfect balance of strength, precision, and artistry.
Set to make its debut in the second quarter of 2026, the Tekton is the second model under Nissan’s “One Car, One World” strategy, a vision to create vehicles that resonate across markets while retaining local relevance. Designed for global appeal but built in India, the SUV will roll out from Nissan’s Chennai facility, and will cater to both domestic and export customers.
Company officials describe the Tekton as more than just a new model — it represents the next step in Nissan’s global SUV evolution, blending bold design, engineering excellence, and premium craftsmanship into a single, commanding form. With this, Nissan signals not just a product launch, but the beginning of a new era of SUV design from India to the world.
Mr. Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India, added, “The Tekton is central to Nissan’s resurgence in India. With its commanding stance, bold looks, and premium interiors, it will be a segment disruptor and a key driver of our growth story.”
Crafting Strength with Soul
The name Tekton captures Nissan’s belief that great design is not just about looks, but about creating something intelligent and lasting. The vehicle is made for people who build, create, and shape their own world — those driven by ambition and passion.
Inspired by Nissan’s legendary ‘Patrol’, the new SUV brings together heritage and modern thinking. For Nissan’s global design leaders — Mr. Alfonso Albaisa, Corporate Executive, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd, and Ken Lee, Senior Design Director, Nissan Motor Corporation, Tekton’s design tells a story of power and poise — from the sculpted bonnet and bold C-shaped headlamps to the muscular stance that gives it a confident, go-anywhere feel. Look closer, and there will be thoughtful details: a unique ‘Double-C’ door accent hides a subtle tribute to the Himalayas, symbolising strength and endurance, while the full-width rear light bar and Tekton nameplate lend the SUV a bold, unmistakable presence on the road.
The Making of the “Baby Patrol”
According to them, great design begins with imagination, deep listening, and precision. These three values shape every vehicle they create, and no model expresses this philosophy better than the Nissan Patrol. For over 70 years, the Patrol has been a symbol of strength and endurance — a powerful yet graceful SUV, built with the kind of Japanese craftsmanship that balances muscle with meticulous detail. Its bold V-strut grille and solid stance have become design hallmarks recognised across generations.
Carrying this proud heritage forward, Nissan has now created something new — the Tekton, a modern interpretation of the Patrol’s timeless spirit. Within the design studios, it earned a nickname that says it all — the “Baby Patrol.” Compact yet commanding, it’s crafted to feel larger than life, combining rugged confidence with refined sophistication. The same global team that shaped the new Patrol and Magnite channelled their passion into this project, designing an SUV that not only disrupts its segment but looks and feels a class above its size.
Toughness, Crafted with Calm
The Nissan Tekton is designed to look tough yet feel refined — a perfect blend of strength and precision. Across its bold front, two slim parallel lines run through the grille, symbolising attention to detail and the spirit of Japanese craftsmanship. Every surface has been shaped with care — powerful, sculpted, and balanced. A full-width light bar stretches across the front, giving the SUV a modern and premium look. As Nissan’s designers like to say, “Technology is the new chrome,” and every crease, edge, and light detail is engineered not just for style but also for safety and pedestrian protection.
True to Nissan’s storytelling approach, the Tekton hides thoughtful surprises within its design. One such touch is an abstract image of the Himalayas, subtly carved into the double C-shaped side vent — a quiet tribute to endurance, exploration, and the spirit of adventure.
Inside, the mood shifts from power to peace. The cabin continues the same design rhythm, with twin metallic lines running across the dashboard, echoing the grille’s geometry. Premium materials, soft lighting, and neat detailing create a sense of calm — a space that feels both strong and soothing.
As Mr. Lee put it, “Customers today want a vehicle that protects them from the outside world but rewards them with calm when they step in. The Tekton delivers both.”
Designed in India, Dreamed for the World
The story of the Nissan Tekton has deep roots in India. Nissan’s global design heads have spent time here, absorbing the country’s pulse — its fast-paced traffic, dense cities, and unpredictable roads. As Mr. Albaisa put it, “India’s traffic moves with intensity — fast, close, and agile. Vehicles here must be tough yet nimble. That’s what we aimed to achieve.”
The experience gained from the success of the Magnite played a big role in shaping the Tekton. Indian customers, Nissan’s design team learned, expect cars that look and feel a class above their price point. The Tekton builds on that understanding, combining rugged capability with refined styling and a confident, high-seating design suited to Indian roads. Though the legendary Patrol isn’t sold here, its reputation for toughness and endurance helped define the character of what Nissan’s designers fondly call the “Baby Patrol.”
A Global Collaboration
Behind the Tekton’s design lies a significant example of global teamwork. The SUV was born from a three-way collaboration between the Nissan Design Centre in Atsugi (Japan), the Nissan Design Studio in London (UK) — where the Magnite theme originated — and the engineering teams in Chennai (India).
Designers and engineers from all three locations worked closely every day, sharing virtual models, design sketches, and real-world feedback from Indian roads. This constant exchange ensured that the Tekton met global standards of safety, quality, and performance, while perfectly matching the needs and aspirations of Indian customers. The result is a truly global SUV — imagined in Japan, shaped in London, and built with India at its heart.
Safe, Strong, and Smart
The Nissan Tekton may look bold and powerful, but beneath that strength lies a deep focus on safety. Every visible line and edge had been shaped with precision to protect not just the people inside, but also those outside. In fact, its tall, upright front end, which gives the SUV its commanding stance, also plays a clever role in pedestrian safety. The extra space between the bonnet and the engine acts like a cushion during impact, proving that design and safety can go hand in hand.
The Road Ahead
The Tekton is now production-ready and has already begun testing on Indian roads under camouflage. Pre-production units have been showcased to select dealer partners, hinting that its official debut is not far away.
For Nissan, the Tekton represents much more than just a new model — it marks the start of a new era. As Mr. Albaisa put it, “The Tekton embodies the spirit of our design journey — where global collaboration, cultural understanding, and bold imagination come together to create something both familiar and new. It’s the next chapter in Nissan’s SUV legacy — built with craft, born from courage.”
