Nissan wanted to be unique; and they did it with the new Murano CrossCabriolet; the world’s only crossover convertible revealed today at Los Angeles Show. Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet is only available in one version: 3,5 liter V6 AWD priced at $46,390. The only available options include: Carmel interior $500, Cashmere & brown top interior $500 and splash quads $125.
In order to transform a crossover into a convertible model Nissan added new front doors (7.9 inches longer than 4-door Murano front doors) and has eliminated the B-pillars. The cloth convertible top includes a rear glass skylight, helping create a wide-open interior environment even with the top in the closed position.
The difference between this and a standard Murano is also given by High Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-functional xenon projector headlights with auto on/off function, front fog lights and Nissan 370Z-inspired LED taillights, body-colored front and rear bumpers, chrome door handles, body-colored dual power/heated outside mirrors, and rear window defroster with timer.
The Murano CrossCabriolet is powered by a 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC V6 producing 265 HP and 248 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a standard second-generation Xtronic CVT™ with Adaptive Shift Control (ASC). It comes equipped with 4-wheel vented disc brakes with Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and G-sensor.
Press release after the jump.
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Nissan US have announced the asking price for the second generation Murano SUV. They are currently on sale in the various options and equipment levels as designated below, however, all are equipped with the same 260 BHP detuned 3.5 liter V6 from the 370Z and Xtronic CVT auto transmission. Our choice would be the diesel which, unfortunately, is not available in the US due to the poor gas mileage from the thirsty V6. Invest in a FWD model, if you’re not going off road, with the SV spec package. This package includes all that you really need without the novelties that you’ll get bored of, but will still be paying for.
As a little refresher, the 2011 Nissan Murano gets a new grille with a new, revised design and wide front headlights. It also comes with a wide hood that sweeps into the bodylines, powerful wheel arches, and an aggressive stance with available 20-inch wheels. The interior gets a new white meter color, new center stack colors, and added equipment to various trim levels.
Pricing starts from $28,500 USD to around $39,140 USD depending on how many ticks you make in the options list.
Hit the jump for the allocated pricing.
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The 2011 Murano will go on sale in mid-October featuring a refreshed grille and bumper design, new taillights, a new 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheel design, and a number of interior and content refinements. For 2011, Murano will be offered in eight well-equipped models: S FWD, S AWD, SV FWD, SV AWD, SL FWD, SL AWD, LE FWD and LE AWD.
On the exterior, the 2011 Nissan Murano gets a bolder grille with a new, revised design and wide front headlights, a wide hood that sweeps into the bodylines, powerful wheel arches, and an aggressive stance with available 20-inch wheels. The interior gets a new white meter color, new center stack colors, and added equipment to various trim levels.
Under the hood there is a standard VQ-series 3.5-liter DOHC V6 engine that delivers a total of 260 HP and 240 lb-ft of torque mated to an advanced Xtronic CVT transmission.
Updated 10/12/2010: Nissan today announced prices for the refreshed 2011 Murano Crossover SUV, which is on sale now at Nissan dealers nationwide. prices start as follows: Murano S FWD $28,500 USD, Murano SV FWD $31,910 USD, Murano SL FWD $35,450 USD; Murano LE FWD $37,540 USD; Murano S AWD $30,100 USD; Murano SV AWD $33,510 USD; Murano SL AWD $37,050 USD and Murano LE AWD $39,140 USD.
Press release after the jump.
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At first we thought it was a massive joke because we sure laughed like it was one, but apparently Nissan was serious. The company has already shown it has massive cojones with the crazy styling of the Juke, but this new Murano convertible is one level up.
We expect to see the Murano convertible at the Los Angeles Auto Show, sporting a soft top and two doors. We had originally thought that a four-door might be hard to pull off, so a two-door configuration makes sense. This leaves us to think that the production model will look a little like a Japanese PT Cruiser convertible, which isn’t a good look for anything. Hopefully Nissan’s design team can think of something to make this thing a bit more stylish.
The workers over at Nissan are smart people and they understand the unusual aspect of this new car. "It’s not going to be a volume car," said Brian Carolin, Nissan North America Inc.’s senior vice president for sales and marketing to Automotive News. "But there’s a degree of bravery for us to bring out a car like that right now. It will surprise a lot of people."
The normal Murano is a strong seller, with 34,141 examples sold through July.
If you thought the now dearly departed Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible was bad, wait till you see this. Many thought it to be just a hoax, but apparently Nissan is bringing a Murano two-door convertible to the Los Angeles Auto Show. That’s right, the crossover SUV is getting its roof chopped off.
Inside Line is reporting that the Murano Convertible will go on sale in the spring of 2011, just in time for warm weather and top down driving in your new convertible crossover.
Nissan is having a weird month. They hit it big with the Juke and now they are trying everything in the book of oddness. Vitamin C air vents, sofas for seats,, and now this, a Murano convertible aimed at people who want to feel the wind in their hair and still drive an SUV. This is a major risk and we aren’t too sure it’s going to work for them. Give them credit for thinking outside of the box though.
