What is it?
2003 Nissan Murano
What's special about it?
To be marketed as an "Urban" SUV, the Murano is geared toward performance on pavement rather than prowess on terrain that most buyers would never set a tire on. A daring body style has 350Z-inspired headlights, sculpted flanks, 18-inch wheels and an upswept greenhouse. An avant-garde interior scheme combines leather seats, aluminum accents and a big three-pod instrument cluster with functional enhancements such as adjustable pedals and a console bin large enough to swallow a laptop computer or 60 CDs.
The platform is based on the new Altima and, as such, has four-wheel independent suspension, but it is longer and wider for this application. Nissan's superb 3.5-liter V6 (240 horsepower) that does duty in the Maxima, Altima, Pathfinder and upcoming Z-car powers the Murano, and the sole transmission choice is a continuously variable unit (CVT). Benefits of a CVT include smoother operation and greater efficiency than a "normal" geared automatic. Nissan will nonetheless offer an automanual-style shifter for the CVT with seven "speeds" for those who refuse to give up the fun of shifting gears. The available all-wheel-drive option uses electromagnetic couplings that automatically transfer power to the wheels with the best grip, and a stability control system (dubbed Vehicle Dynamic Control) will be available, as well.
State-of-the-art safety features, including side-curtain airbags, will be standard on the Murano.
Why should you care?
Like it or not, the crossover SUV market is now the fastest-growing vehicle segment. Those who don't give a whit about trail-bashing but want the cargo-hauling ability of an SUV along with the performance and comfort of a sport sedan will want to give the stylish Murano a closer look. -- John DiPietro
2003 Nissan Murano
What's special about it?
To be marketed as an "Urban" SUV, the Murano is geared toward performance on pavement rather than prowess on terrain that most buyers would never set a tire on. A daring body style has 350Z-inspired headlights, sculpted flanks, 18-inch wheels and an upswept greenhouse. An avant-garde interior scheme combines leather seats, aluminum accents and a big three-pod instrument cluster with functional enhancements such as adjustable pedals and a console bin large enough to swallow a laptop computer or 60 CDs.
The platform is based on the new Altima and, as such, has four-wheel independent suspension, but it is longer and wider for this application. Nissan's superb 3.5-liter V6 (240 horsepower) that does duty in the Maxima, Altima, Pathfinder and upcoming Z-car powers the Murano, and the sole transmission choice is a continuously variable unit (CVT). Benefits of a CVT include smoother operation and greater efficiency than a "normal" geared automatic. Nissan will nonetheless offer an automanual-style shifter for the CVT with seven "speeds" for those who refuse to give up the fun of shifting gears. The available all-wheel-drive option uses electromagnetic couplings that automatically transfer power to the wheels with the best grip, and a stability control system (dubbed Vehicle Dynamic Control) will be available, as well.
State-of-the-art safety features, including side-curtain airbags, will be standard on the Murano.
Why should you care?
Like it or not, the crossover SUV market is now the fastest-growing vehicle segment. Those who don't give a whit about trail-bashing but want the cargo-hauling ability of an SUV along with the performance and comfort of a sport sedan will want to give the stylish Murano a closer look. -- John DiPietro
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