|
|
by Ted Laturnus
Photos by Laurance Yap
I guess the big question here is: does the world need another sport utility vehicle? They already own 27 percent of the North American vehicle market according to the latest R.L. Polk survey, with at least 50 different models out there. Not to mention consuming more than their fair share of gasoline, hogging the parking lots, and discharging more pollutants into the atmosphere than anything else.
But car manufacturers just give the people what they want, and they want sport utes. And, I suppose, on the scale of things, the new Nissan Murano is less intrusive than some other full-size utes I can think of.
The Murano, which was named after an island near Venice, Italy, famous for its glassware, has been developed specifically for the North American market and is Nissan’s idea of a “crossover” vehicle….in other words, the comfort of a conventional passenger sedan combined with the functionality of a sport ute. It’s based on the new Altima platform and is officially classed as a mid-size sports utility vehicle.
According to Hugh Wickham, Nissan Canada’s corporate manager for marketing and planning, the Murano will appeal to those buyers who are a little too old for the no-frills Nissan Xterra and want a more upscale image than the Pathfinder. The Murano, and I quote, is aimed at “consumers who set their own standards and maximize life.”
|
|
Power is delivered by Nissan’s ubiquitous 3.5 litre VQ series V6 engine, which, in this configuration, develops 245 horsepower at 5800 rpm and 246 foot-pounds of torque at 4400 rpm. There is only one drivetrain choice: a constantly variable transmission (CVT), and the Murano is the first V6-powered vehicle to employ this unconventional gearbox.
Why this transmission? According to Nissan, it was a combination of reducing manufacturing costs and achieving higher fuel consumption ratings. The CVT unit is much lighter than a conventional gear-driven transmission and, on paper at least, will give better fuel consumption. The 2003 Murano delivers 11.9 L/100 km (24 mpg) in the city and 8.9 L/100 km (32 mpg) on the highway, which for a sport ute, is decent. If you want comparable gas mileage, you’ll have to look to the likes of the four cylinder Mazda Tribute, Honda CR-V, and Ford Escape.
Briefly, for those who don’t know, a CVT transmission utilizes an expandable belt for motivation, rather than gears. There are no shift points, and the belt stretches or contracts, according to engine rpms and load. Bruce Crick, Nissan’s manager for product information training, claims that the advantages include no transmission “hunting” as the vehicle climbs inclines, and better engine braking during descents. In this case, the belt is made out of segmented steel and is mated to an electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system that directs engine power to the appropriate wheels when it’s needed. The Murano is not a down-and-dirty off-road rig, in other words.
On the road, the CVT does its job well. When reserve power is needed - passing an eighteen-wheeler, for example - it’s delivered promptly and smoothly. Behind the wheel, most people probably couldn’t tell the difference between the Murano’s CVT and a well-engineered conventional gearbox, and Nissan will not be highlighting the CVT in their marketing strategy. According to Hugh Wickham, if people want more details about the CVT, they will be happy to provide them, but there are no plans to make a big deal about it. Incidentally, Nissan has been working with CVT transmissions for over 30 years, and sells about 180,000 vehicles a year with this technology…..mainly in Asia.
|
|
OK, enough about the transmission. The Murano is definitely an unusual looking vehicle. From the front, its grille treatment reminds me of the smiling Blue Meanies from the Beatles’ Yellow Submarine animated movie. Unlike many SUVs, there isn’t a straight line on the Murano anywhere….it’s probably the most contemporary-looking model of its kind on the market right now and very easy on the eyes, with about the same exterior dimensions as the Acura MDX.
In terms of cargo space, Nissan is claiming 81.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. This is almost exactly the same as the MDX and Toyota Highlander.
Inside, Nissan have loaded the Murano with convenience goodies like an automatic climate control system, air conditioning, six-disc CD player, heated seats, power up and down windows, and steering wheel mounted audio controls. Options include leather interior, power sunroof, a GPS navigation system, and a really neat feature in the form of power adjustable pedals. There are also front and side airbags as well as side curtain airbags, and front and rear vented disc brakes with ABS.
The Murano will have competitive but not bargain basement pricing. The base SL starts at $39,500, and the top-of-the-line SE, $46,500. It should be available in dealerships by the middle of this month.