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By
EWAN KENNEDY
24 November 2008
The Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego in southern California seemed an
appropriate venue for the introduction to the Australian press of
the second generation of Nissan's Murano crossover. Because the
radical styling of the SUV people mover ties in beautifully with
the hard-edged character of the Hard Rock franchise.
The
shape of the Nissan is very much in the love-it-or-hate it
category. The seriously rounded front end, huge shiny grille and
dramatically sloping rear tailgate make a statement about a Murano
owner’s outgoing attitude to life. Those who don’t like it can
find a large selection of mundane models in the people mover
category…
Though
Murano has an all-new exterior, it retains with the same exciting
theme as before. However, the interior now has a new look, one
that, while being radical, has a real touch of class. Indeed, it
almost has an air of upmarket elegance. The quality of finish has
quite a few clues to the Infiniti range, Infiniti being the
topline marque within Nissan.
It’s
not only the in-cabin quality that Nissan has flowed down from
Infiniti to Murano, the satellite navigation, Bose audio system,
remote key and leather trim all reflect technology and materials
from the upmarket brand.
Good
as it looks, there's a lot more to Nissan Murano than simply
futuristic looks because this is a vehicle that defies convention
and manages to combine style with substance. It’s big inside,
with seating for four large adults in stretch-out comfort with
plenty of legroom. Or three children who won’t have a good
reason to squabble over elbow space.
The
boot isn’t quite as good as the cabin as its floor is high and
the stylish slope in the tail compromises the carrying of bulky
objects. Then again, should all five seats not be in use you can
greatly expand the size of the boot by folding down seats. In the
upmarket variants this can be done using power operation. The
tailgate also benefits from push-button operation on the topline
models.
New
generation Murano will be powered by an uprated version of the
3.5-litre V6 engine used in the current model.
The
engine is eerily quiet at idle, being almost hybrid-like in its
minimisation of sound and vibration. On the road it remains
remarkably subdued and will make an excellent long distance
cruiser. Naturally we can’t comment on its ride on Australian
roads, but there are some pretty rough and ready surfaces in
southern California and it handled them without a whimper.
As
before the transmission is an advanced continuously variable
transmission (CVT) unit. This offers an infinite range of seamless
gearchanges between preset low and high ratios. We were
disappointed during our introductory drive program to find that
the transmission doesn’t offer drivers a set range of
‘manual’ options for specialised road conditions. This may
become available on cars before importation to Australia begins.
On
the road the new Murano displays excellent refinement, indeed in
some ways it’s in the same class as upmarket German saloons in
the way it dampens road, tyre and general mechanical intrusion to
the cabin. A spacious cabin and a class ambience seem sure to
attract many buyers looking for a fine family transport.
Road
behaviour, while safe and stable, isn’t in the sporty class, but
is likely to more than fulfill the desires of the average buyer.
This time around the Murano has slightly firmer suspension than
the outgoing model. Our test cars were fitted with US-spec
suspensions, there may be a modified system for Europe, if so this
is likely to find its way into Australian imports.
Final
specifications and prices for the second generation Nissan Murano
for Australia will be announced closer to the release date in
February 2009.
On
the subject of Infiniti, the new CEO of Nissan Australia, Dan
Thompson, is keen to see the luxury marque return to Australia
after a hiatus of almost 16 years. The current economic crisis may
slow his wishes, but he is confident the Infiniti brand will
eventually make a return downunder.
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Marque Publishing Company
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