Murano Crossover Lands in LA

Nissan’s Murano was one of the early entries to the crossover segment that really helped to get the ball rolling in this now lucrative market. While newcomers are still on their first round, Nissan has just unveiled its second generation model at this year’s LA auto show.

The new Murano takes an evolutionary approach to styling, but with a modern, almost sci-fi twist. The overall shape hasn’t changed much from what we first saw in 2003, but detail work has. When it was launched, the Murano was criticized for its unusually large and almost overpowering chrome checker grille, and the new model will split opinions once more with its slatted grille design that certainly doesn’t lack chrome. While many new crossovers have third row seating arrangements, the Murano is still strictly a five seater, which enables it to keep its size down. From the rear, the Murano is nothing less than unique, thanks to a sloping tailgate design with a large glass-to-metal ratio, plus LED taillights.

Nissan describes the cabin of the new Murano as a “mobile suite” theme, which has resulted in the use of better materials such as leather, real wood and brushed aluminum, building on the Murano’s new design. A new central LCD display takes charge of the climate and stereo controls (as well as navigation, if so equipped), and is controlled by the same high-grade interface used in new Infinitis.

Just as before, the Murano is related to the Altima in that it uses Nissan’s midsize, front-drive platform, but has switched to the new D-platform that provides greater structural rigidity for improved refinement and safety. Nissan claims that the new Murano has 1.5 times the torsional rigidity of the old CUV which should give it a rock-solid feel on the road. The Murano will be available with a choice between front- and all-wheel drive, the latter of which actively engages when wheel-spin is detected.

Just about the only thing to stay the same in the new Murano is its engine, but even then the sturdy VQ35 V6 has been upgraded. It doesn’t gain much in the way of power, but thanks to some crucial internal adjustments it reportedly becomes smoother with a powerband that’s more easily accessible. The only gearbox that the Murano will be offered with is the XTronic CVT transmission, previously one of the best of its type in the industry.

Nissan has also upped the standard equipment on the Murano to include an integrated hard disk music system, a push-button starter and intelligent proximity sensing key, plus a premium surround sound system developed by Bose. Also available is a panoramic glass skylight, a feature previously unavailable on the Murano.

The wait to get your hands on the new Murano won’t be long, as they’ll be in dealers starting January, 2008.