Nissan Murano 2013 News

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has this week issued safety recalls for various vehicles from Land Rover, Nissan and Volvo.

The Murano dCI has a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel, four-cylinder engine also featured here in Navara D40 ST-X Dual Cab and Pathfinder. However, Nissan Australia corporate affairs manager Jeff Fisher says there are no plans as yet for Murano diesel. "We see Murano being more appealing to the current prestige boutique crossover market such as Lexus RX and offer diesels in our traditional 4WDs (Patrol, Pathfinder, X-Trail)," he says. "New Murano went on sale here just 18 months ago and we also tweaked spec a couple of months ago." Murano last month dropped 6.7 per cent in sales in Australia while the segment increased 17.6 per cent and so far this year its sales are up 8.7 per cent to 1368 while the segment has boomed 33.2 per cent. Most of the mid-sized SUVs that have kept pace with or exceeded segment sales have diesel options, including Hyundai Santa Fe up 131.8 per cent so far this year, Jeep Wrangler (85.6 per cent), Holden Captiva (67 per cent), Mitsubishi Pajero (57.4 per cent) and Kia Sorento (42.8 per cent). The Murano dCI has a six-speed auto and Nissan claims the diesel achieves fuel economy of eight litres per 100km while developing 11 per cent more power and torque with 141kW and 450Nm at just 2000rpm. It also meets tough Euro5 emissions standards with CO2 emissions of 210g/km. These figures are achieved by improved aerodynamics and Murano's first electric power regeneration system. While the cabin is unchanged, the Murano dCI is made quieter with extra sound absorbing material in the engine bay, belt drive for the power steering pump instead of chain and a fifth engine mounting point. The need for cool air to the diesel engine and radiators means a new-look grille and bumper.

A tough common-rail turbodiesel engine being rolled out in the Nissan Navara could find soft-road duty in the Murano.  The new 2.5-litre diesel goes on sale in the Navara in April. However, Nissan Australia spokesman, Jeff Fisher, says the engine could find its way into the Murano, which currently uses a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine.  "We are studying it," he says. "However, it's not an immediate priority for us." The diesel Murano has just gone on sale in the UK.  Fisher says that as the engine is built in Spain to go into the Navara, the biggest hurdle getting it into the Murano would be price.  "We'd have to see how it fits," he says.  In the European Navara and Pathfinder, the 2.5-litre dCi develops 140kW at 4000 revs and 450Nm at 2000 revs and delivers a combined fuel economy figure of 8.5l/100km. Designated as the YD25 engine, it comes with either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic.  However the Murano version gets a six-speed automatic with adaptive shift control instead of the V6 petrol's CVT automatic. In the Navara, the YD25 engine has been updated for better combustion and improved intake and exhaust flow.  A new electrically controlled variable nozzle turbo replaces the previous hydraulic system to provide quicker response. The Euro5 compliant engine also gets a diesel particle filter.  Like the V6, the Murano diesel sticks with Nissan's proven All Mode 4x4-i technology, which sends power to the rear-wheels when a loss of stability or traction is detected.  Meanwhile, off-road lovers will have a long wait for the newest Patrol.  Nissan expects 300kW/550Nm V8 to arrive here early next year. Although launched with the V8, Nissan is believed to be looking at a 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel, shared with some Renault models, to add into the lineup.  The V9X V6 is available in other Nissan models in Europe but Nissan Australia spokesman, Jeff Fisher, believes the V8 will satisfy most customers. "The new Patrol is a huge leap," he says. "It's not the rock-hopper it was."

Except Teresa is not real. She is a composite character who was created by the advanced planning and strategy group at Nissan Motor America to reflect the likely customer for the prestige SUV. "We are the voice of the target customer. It is our role to have a vision for the future," says Amy Casey, who heads the research group and talked extensively about 'Teresa'. She says similar composites are used for research on all vehicles, including the latest 370Z sports car and Gen-Y Cube which will be revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show tomorrow. In the case of the new Murano, which is a major change with more power and better economy from its V6 engine as well as loads of extra equipment and a more-luxurious interior, the focus was on women. Casey talked almost entirely about women's needs on the Murano, even though Nissan Australia expects a 50:50 gender split for its sales. She said 'Teresa' is a baby boomer who is entering a new phase in her life, making choices based on 'empty nester' priorities after her children had moved out of home. So what is 'Teresa' really like? "She is 54, she's an interior designer. She has two adult children," Casey says. "This vehicle makes her feel very smart and savvy. In a new phase in her life she is re-establishing herself. "She has thought about other people through her life, but now can focus on herself and a vehicle that makes her feel good." Anything else? "She is happy in her marriage, so probably it's the second one," Casey laughs. For people who are not 'Teresa', the Murano will come to Australia with significant improvements in important areas including cabin quality and equipment. Satellite navigation and a rear-parking camera, both fitted as aftermarket equipment now, will become standard in 2009 and leather is likely on both models of the upcoming car. Nissan Australia refuses to discuss exact prices and specification yet, but says the Murano will be pitched against the Toyota Kluger and Mazda's CX-7 and CX-9. "It's impossible to now, two months down the road, where Kluger and Mazda CX will be on pricing. We will confirm pricing in early January," says the managing director of Nissan Australia, Dan Thompson. A preview drive in San Diego yesterday showed more refinement and obvious improvements to quality, although the CVT transmission has lost the 'mock manual' mode fitted to the current car. And the most important question of all. If 'Teresa' was a movie star, who would she be? "Think Laura Linney. She is probably about right," says Casey.  

 The reason is simple. Godzilla says everything about Nissan and where it is going. It reflects a bold take on design, a commitment to technology, smart financial planning, global sales success and the ability to produce cars that are uniquely Nissan.But there is much more to Nissan than a limited-edition supercar capable of cranking out the all-time quickest lap around the Nurburgring racetrack in Germany. Nissan 360 is a deep-dip immersion in the world of Nissan that is run for the world's motoring press every four years. There are workshops on future technology, the chance to drive everything in the Nissan family – from the smallest and cheapest to the biggest and most expensive – interviews with senior executives and much, much more on every technical and business front.Nissan had 60-something cars in Portugal for test drives – in all sorts of conditions – from a short city loop to a country run, a four-wheel drive torture track and hot laps at the Estoril circuit.The vehicles ran all the way from the tiny Pino and Otto minicars to the stonking GT-R, but there was also a full family of Infiniti models, a Clipper truck and an LPG-powered Tokyo taxi. With so much choice, we picked a few to see how they are likely to shape up for Australia: 2009 MuranoThis is the bigger new Murano, already out and about in America, and the signs are good.It looks much the same, with the same basic body shape, but is far roomier inside with better quality finishing. It also drives sharper and has a plusher ride, both worthwhile improvements resulting from what Nissan calls its “D-platform” mechanical package.But the Murano still only has five seats, which will hurt it against the Mazda CX-9 and its other rivals, and Nissan Australia still has to decide how to sell it here.Verdict: Uncertain Titan V8The giant Titan is a ripper, even if it was a tight fit through the narrow streets of Sintra, near Lisbon. The test truck was a giant dual-cab V8 easily capable of swallowing five adults and a couple of motorcycles, as well as to wing up to four tonnes.It had plenty of grunt from a 5.6-litre V8 with 236kW and 521Nm, a comfy cabin, surprisingly good handling and rode smoothly for a truck.Nissan Australia should get it here as soon as possible as it is better than an F-Series Ford and there is obvious opportunity Down Under.Verdict: Potential star Cube The boxy city car was designed for Gen-Yers but is surprisingly grown-up. The styling is five-year-old stuff and the front bench seat is retro and cramped, but the Cube drives far better than you would expect. It's not a rocket, but it gets along well enough and the ride is very good for the size. It doesn't take too much imagination to see the potential for Gen-Y buyers in Australia, as well as customisers who would go crazy on the car. But it needs to be cheaper than the predicted range of $28,000.Verdict: Winner X-Trail dieselIt has to come and it will, but the diesel engine in the X-er and Dualis was nothing special.It was noisy at idle, strong, but not outstanding, and way short of the refinement of a VW group turbodiesel. The test cars were fitted with a baby diesel, with 110kW instead of the 127 coming here, so we hope that the upgrade will make the X-Trail and Dualis more than just economy contenders.Verdict: Jury still out Infiniti EXWe expected them to drive like Japanese Buicks, but they didn't – with European-style quality and comfort. Infiniti has been focused on the US but with European sales starting soon, it has been turned into an impressively global luxury brand that, as we reported last week, might come to Australia – but not for about five years. The EX would be a headliner with good looks, comfy and classy cabin, punchy power and smooth ride.The wait, however, could seem like infinity.Verdict: Five years is too long to wait Altima hybridWhy can't the Toyota Prius look this good?The Altima running gear is a straight snitch from the Prius, as Nissan was desperate to have something to sell in hybrid-crazy California. It paid to play. The petrol-electric Altima will only run for a single generation but it's a good drive.Verdict: No chance for Oz GT-RTwo laps on a track does not tell you much about the GT-R. But the GT-R is instantly impressive with speed, speed, speed. Destined to be a sellout success in Australia, just like everywhere else it is sold.Verdict: The business 

However, there will still be no diesel engine option, because it is made for the American market which has yet to hitch a ride on the diesel boom. Murano is running 13th in the 20-vehicle medium SUV segment in Australia, probably due to its lack of a diesel option which accounts for 25 per cent of sales in the sector. Nissan Motor Company Australia corporate communications manager Jeff Fisher said the revamped Murano would arrive "possibly in early '09.” "Murano is a US concept intended chiefly for that market,” he explained. "We think it works OK as a petrol in its prestige/low-volume market.” Externally the second-generation Murano looks very much like the first generation and only owners may notice the difference. Up front, there is more curve to the grille and headlight assembly in the shape of a boomerang. The front-mounted aerial has moved to the rear and into a shark fin style as found on BMWs. From the side, there is little difference, retaining that upswept sill line that creates a big blind spot in the C-D pillar section. Door handles are slightly modified, but even the alloy wheel designs are the same. Out back the wide expanse of sheet metal which gives the Murano a big bum has been reduced by horizontal positioning of the taillights rather than vertical. There also appears to be a slightly larger roof-mounted wing. Other changes include slightly thinner roof racks and twin tailpipes that are more integrated into the bodywork. Inside, there is a substantial change to the steering wheel, centre stack and instrument pod. Much of the typical Nissan brushed aluminium is gone. The effect is more sporty and macho. Murano continues to be powered by Nissan's ubiquitous 3.5-litre VQ engine which has been revised to offer improved performance. The 24 valve twin cam V6 now develops 198kW of power, up a whopping 26kW and 325Nm of torque, up 8Nm. Nissan claims faster acceleration times, but did not supply figures. Despite the power boost, Nissan claims improvements in fuel economy have been gained through re-engineering the Xtronic CVT transmission for a 20 per cent reduction in friction losses. Nissan says shift speeds and responsiveness are improved. While Australian spec and pricing have yet to be decided, the new Murano features “scratch shield paint” which protects the exterior from marks and scratches. The paint repairs the marks thanks to a newly developed highly elastic resin that helps prevent the scratches from damaging the base layer paint. Fisher said there were no Nissans in Australia yet with Scratch Shield "at this time.” "So far, it's proposed only for Murano in the US,” he said.  

Life doesn't always turn out the way we want. To slip into the best frock, spend a morning at the hairdressers and then not be asked for a dance can bring a tear to the eye. It would be even worse for the girls. Nissan has the frock, the ball, and despite spending all that time on make-up, few are queuing to sashay across the boards. I can only point to the ignorance of prospective partners, for the Murano is one sweet dancer that can make all the right moves. Part of the problem for the big SUV is its competition. The Murano is in the ring with the Ford Territory, Hyundai Santa Fe, Subaru Tribeca, Holden Captiva and from next month, the all-new Toyota Kluger. Buyers who want full off-road ability can also spend around the same dollars and get a Toyota LandCruiser Prado, a Mitsubishi Pajero and or Jeep Wrangler's four-door Unlimited. But where the Murano really shines among this crew is with its simplicity. It is one of the most user-friendly big SUVs on the market, with passenger-car comfort and features, excellent cabin space for five adults, and a powertrain that is unstressed and given its 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine, also relatively frugal. The curved hatch is distinctive, though in comparison to a squared tail, cuts into boot space. That said, there's a decent boot and, unfortunately, a space-saver spare tyre. The Ti-L version tested is the most expensive of the three-model Murano range, costing $60,490 (a $10,500 premium above the base ST). The extra goodies include a sunroof, leather trim, reversing camera and satellite navigation. If you can live without these, the mid-range Ti becomes the better buy at $56,990. Murano gets its power from a detuned 350Z engine, relocated to sit transversely and mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that is basically a gearless automatic. Drivers can select six preset ratios that aid towing or when traversing slippery roads. The part-time all-wheel-drive system generally works in 2WD, but will vary the power sent to the wheels depending on traction. It can also be locked in 4WD for low-speed work.