May 1, 2002

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Preview:
2003 Nissan Murano
by Greg Wilson

The 2003 Murano 'crossover' vehicle caught a few people by surprise at the New York International Auto Show - not so much because the Murano is a new crossover vehicle, but because it is production-ready – the Murano will be in showrooms by this Fall.

If you haven't heard, Nissan is on a roll. The Murano is one of a series of new Nissan vehicles being developed under the company's aggressive Nissan Revival Plan. Nissan was bleeding red ink only a few years ago – but under the leadership of Renault boss Carlos Ghosn, the company has returned to profitability, primarily as a result of hot new models like the 2002 Altima sedan.

The Murano's Fall introduction will follow the all-new 2003 Nissan 350Z sports car, and both will be joined later by a new Nissan full-size pickup and a full-size SUV, both of which will be built at a new Nissan manufacturing facility now under construction in Canton, Mississippi.

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"The Nissan Murano is a vehicle that was developed, designed and engineered specifically for the North American market," said Bill Kirrane, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division at the Murano's unveiling at the New York International Auto Show. "It represents Nissan's first entry into the crossover SUV segment, the fastest growing segment in automotive history."

The Murano is named after the elegantly sculpted glass art that comes from the islands near Venice. "Murano glass is considered a leader in both cutting edge design and glass making technologies," said Kirrane.

The roomy five-passenger Murano is built on Nissan's new mid-size platform now used by the new Altima sedan, and soon to be used by the next-generation Maxima. The Murano will share the Altima's 240 horsepower-plus 3.5 litre DOHC 24 valve V6 engine, and four-wheel independent suspension, but will offer a permanently-engaged all-wheel-drive system as well as front-wheel-drive – however, my guess is that only the AWD model will be offered in Canada.

A continuously variable automatic transmission, the first one offered in a Nissan vehicle in North America, will be standard in the Murano. For drivers seeking more driving excitement, the Murano SE model will be offered with a CVT that has a 7-speed manual shift mode.

As well, the Murano will be available with Vehicle Dynamic Control (anti-skid control), which improves vehicle stability by applying individual brakes and reducing engine torque automatically on slippery road surfaces. The Murano will have standard 4-wheel vented disc brakes with Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD).

The Murano's athletic looks are a function of its wide stance, prominent 'shoulders', standard 18-inch wheels and tires, short front and rear overhangs, and high ground clearance. Aerodynamic body enhancements include an under engine body cover, front and rear tire deflectors, chin spoiler and rear spoiler. The Murano's vertically stacked headlamps will be available with high intensity discharge Xenon bulbs.

The interior has been designed to provide "first class seating" for two couples, with ample, flexible luggage space. The driver's seat offers a wide range of adjustments (including an available 8-way seat adjuster), along with adjustable throttle and brake pedals and a tilt steering wheel/gauge cluster function.

The instrument panel includes generous use of aluminum trim, an available 7-speaker Bose audio system and a standard information monitor, with HVAC, audio, trip control and navigation system (optional) controls integrated into its one-piece "floating" design. Other interior amenities include front dual zone climate controls and individual rear air conditioning vents located on the pillars.

Between the front seats is a two-tiered lockable centre console storage box with room to hold a laptop computer or purse and door pockets with flip-out function. The split fold-down rear seat includes a reclining feature and a remote flip-down function, so the seats can be released from the rear cargo area.

With its long wheelbase, wide stance and compact rear multi-link suspension design, the Murano offers a roomy rear cargo area which includes a tray under the cargo floor and spaces for cell phones, sunglasses, coins, cups and bottles. The rear hatch door is made of a lightweight plastic so that's it's easy to open and close.

Standard safety features are extensive: dual-stage front air bags, front seat side air bags and front and rear seat curtain side air bags. Also standard are seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters, child seat anchors and tether system and front seat active head restraints.

The Murano will fill a gap between Nissan's SUV's, the Pathfinder and Xterra, and Nissan's mid-size sedans, the Altima and Maxima.

"Nissan has a strong heritage of leadership in trucks and SUVs with the original Pathfinder and the category-busting Xterra," said Kirrane. "We believe the new Nissan Murano, with its breakthrough styling, utility and technology, will have the same kind of impact on the crossover SUV class. It gives Nissan buyers another great choice in powerful, high value SUVs designed to perfectly fit their needs and lifestyles."

2003 Nissan Murano preliminary specifications

Layout/Body: Front engine, front-wheel or all-wheel drive, 5-door crossover SUV

Engine: 3.5-litre DOHC V6 derived from the VQ engine series 240-plus horsepower

Transmission: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with available 7-speed manual shift mode (SE Model only)

Drive Configuration: Front-wheel drive. Available all-wheel drive with all-new AWD system for enhanced all-weather performance. Available Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System (TCS)

Suspension: 4-wheel independent suspension with advanced multi-link rear suspension, cradle-type front subframe, stabilizer bars

Brakes: 4-wheel vented disc brakes with ABS, Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD)

Wheels and Tires: 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and 18-inch tires

Wheelbase: 111.2 inches Length: 187.6 inches

Width: 74.0 inches Height: 66.5 inches

Cargo Volume: Seats upright / seats folded flat 32.6 / 70.8 cubic feet

Passenger Volume: 110.0 cubic feet

Safety: Dual stage supplemental front air bags with seatbelt buckle switches, front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. Front seat side-impact supplemental air bags and side curtain supplemental air bags for head protection. Front seat active head restraints

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Greg Wilson is a Vancouver-based automotive journalist and editor of CanadianDriver