NISSAN

CROSSOVER COMEBACK Nissan’s Murano was touted as the first proper ‘crossover’ luxury SUV. In its latest guise, it’s looking to finally translate that original concept into sale success. Steve Walker reports.

Nissan’s Murano isn’t lacking in road presence, character or equipment but will that be enough for it to win out in an increasingly competitive 4x4 market? As a crossover 4x4, it’s biased very much towards road use which is no bad thing and the 3.5-litre V6 engine promises thrilling performance, albeit with underwhelming running costs.

Why have one thing when you can have elements of two melded together? That’s the question that Nissan’s Murano posed to buyers of large 4x4s when it was launched in 2005. Other marques will argue otherwise but Nissan insists that the Murano was the first ‘crossover’ luxury 4x4 in so much as it blended elements of SUV design with bits more commonly associated with conventional cars. The public didn’t go crazy for the Murano concept in the way Nissan had hoped but other crossover products, notably the marque’s own Qashqai, have done brisker business since. Perhaps the time is right for the Murano to hit the big time in its latest revised form. The idea behind the crossover 4x4 hinges on the fact that by stiffening-up the chassis and smoothing out the shape of an ordinary family 4x4, manufacturers can arrive at a vehicle that handles markedly better on your average British B-road and looks markedly better cruising down the average British high street. The downsides tend to be that some off-road capability is lost, along with a bit of the interior space and practicality. Given the typical usage patterns of large 4x4 vehicles in the UK, It’s a trade-off that a good proportion of buyers should be willing to make. All of which bodes well for the Murano, especially in light of the improvements brought to bear on the latest model. The Murano continues to campaign with one engine and it’s a 3.5-litre V6 petrol affair that is now significantly quicker, making sixty from rest in 8.os on the way to a top speed of 130mph. Power is rated at 256PS and torque of 334Nm is available in the unit’s considerable sweet spot. ALL-MODE 4x4-i technology continues to provide sure-footed handling no matter how treacherous the conditions. This intelligent permanent 4WD system distributes torque on demand to where it’s needed. Under normal driving conditions that means predominantly to the front wheels, but up to 50 per cent can be sent to the rear if required. The system is closely integrated with the standard ESP stability control. The gearbox is a CVT item called Xtronic which features ASC Adaptive Shift Control and does its bit towards keeping fuel consumption in check.

"This car’s styling will be a key reason why buyers either reach for their credit cards or run a mile…"

A key contributor to the Murano’s improved driving feel is a stiffer platform that is more resistant to lateral and twisting forces. Together with tweaks to the geometry of the re-developed multi-link rear suspension and revised front strut suspension, owners will enjoy surprisingly responsive handling combined with the kind levels of comfort levels you’d expect from a luxury 4x4. The speed sensitive power steering system is now lighter at low speeds and gives a more direct feel at higher ones. This car’s styling will be a key reason why buyers either reach for their credit cards or run a mile. If keeping things low key is your bag, the Nissan’s eye-catching bodywork and toothy front end could jar a little. The headlights are integrated into the metallic swoosh that’s carved into the Murano’s nose and the glasshouse remains low to promote that stocky coupe-like stance. With a big set of wheels filling its bulbous wheelarches, the Murano is quite a sight. Buyers will just have to judge whether or not it’s one they want to see outside their houses every morning. The interior of the Murano goes after an upmarket feel and is broadly successful. There are a lot of buttons as if to underline the quantity of equipment that has been crammed inside but the finishes and the luminescent instruments stop just the right side of over the top given the Murano’s extrovert nature. An enormous dual panel glass sun roof is available in the standard model, but if you aren’t bothered about that and instead would prefer a roof-mounted DVD player system, then that’s available in a version costing just a few hundred pounds more. There’s also a powered tailgate which opens and shuts in 7 and 9 seconds respectively, plus a kerb camera mounted within the passenger door mirror. At speeds up to 12 mph it displays images of the ground beside the car on the 7 inch colour sat nav screen, showing the proximity of walls, kerbs and otherwise obscured obstacles. If those don’t impress, try the rear electric seat system. The rear seats split 60/40 and are lowered simply by pulling a lever in the luggage area, but raising them is even easier; press a button on the dashboard or in the cargo area and the seats automatically move into position in just 8 seconds. The original Murano’s positioning as a luxury 4x4 that looked sleek and handled well once made it quite a unique proposition at around £30,000. In today’s market, there’s more by way of competition. The premium brands have been busy developing scaled down versions of their luxury SUVs and theoretically smaller models like BMW’s X3, Audi’s Q5 and the Mercedes GLK will present a stern challenge to the Murano in the style and handling stakes. At least the Nissan retains a strong value for money angle with its powerful engine and elaborate specification. Great unit though the 3.5-litre V6 undoubtedly is, it does serve to limit the Murano’s appeal through the simple fact of its associated running costs. The fun factor is an ever-present consolation but you’ll need to put the amount of fuel being sucked from the tank every time you flex your right ankle to the back of your mind. After all, the Nissan Murano’s 25mpg fuel economy won’t be getting the same advertising spend as its striking looks and snarling V6 engine. Still, at least the CO2 figure of 261g/km is substantially improved. The Murano is estimated to retain just over 50% of its value after a typical three-year ownership period which is promising compared to other 4x4s in the same price bracket. Plus insurance at around group 15 isn’t too bad considering the power and equipment levels it offers. The markets for 4x4 vehicles of all descriptions are growing increasingly congested to the extent that even Nissan’s rather leftfield Murano looks like having a battle on its hands. The vehicle’s key strengths include its charismatic engine, striking looks and generous specification but running costs will be an issue for some and premium-badged rivals are unlikely to cede ground without a fight.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Nissan Murano PRICE: £32,795-£33,295 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 15 [est] CO2 EMISSIONS: 261g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 8s / Max Speed 130mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 25.9mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: twin front, side and curtain airbags, ABS. [est] WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/height 187.6/74/66.5 inches [est]

WHERE’S YOUR ZED AT? Beneath the crossover styling of Nissan’s Murano beats the heart of the 350Z sports coupe. It’s quite a combination - as Andy Enright reports

Spend an afternoon watching Roger Federer play tennis and the game looks ridiculously simple. The same goes for Ronaldhinio playing football or basketball star Michael Jordan when he was in his prime. They seem to have all the time in the world to work their magic. Finding that groove proves beyond most mere mortals and the same goes for building cars. Lately, one manufacturer has made it look supremely effortless. Nissan have realised that the answer is simple. Build great products. The Murano is just the latest in a long line of crackerjack Nissans.

It’s anything but conventional, however. Those with a spotter’s eye for odd cars might well remember Mitsubishi Ralliart’s attempts to sell us the 276bhp Pajero Evolution 4x4. That failed rather dismally, so the portents for a 4x4 with the heart of a sports car don’t look good. That is until you clap eyes on the Murano in the metal. It looks like it has escaped from the set of Bladerunner, the combination of swoopy curves and flinty edges combining well in a way that has eluded many reputed stylists. The nose is particularly interesting, offering a canted back cookie cutter grille with vertically stacked headlights. The nose is almost Micra-neat with tail lights that again evoke images of the 350Z coupe. The flanks have definite shoulders and a kicked up beltline and the details fuse into each other nicely as you walk around the car. Although the suspicion that all-round visibility has been sacrificed at the altar of style is never far way, you have to admit the trade off was worth it. The £30,085 Murano’s underpinnings are as unconventional as its togs. The saloon car chassis combines with a detuned version of the 350Z’s V6 engine all mated to a version of the 4x4 system seen on the X-Trail. It all sounds something of a bastard combination but from this amalgam of disparate elements comes a genuinely attractive whole. Given that it comprises so many parts I’d hesitate to call it greater than the sum of said parts but you get the idea.

"The handling moves the game a few notches beyond what was considered the class standard"

The engine cranks out 245bhp which is more than enough for what is a surprisingly compact vehicle. Needless to say, with this sort of power at its elbow, the Murano doesn’t hang around. It’ll bludgeon its way through 60mph in 9.0 seconds but the average fuel consumption figure of 23mpg won’t be making too many Nissan billboard ads. Drive is directed to the front wheels in normal conditions, only being sent astern should things get slippery. A switch can lock the 4x4 system in place if things get very slippery. In truth, the Nissan’s conventional strut front suspension, multi link rear and limited ground clearance combine to reduce its off road capabilities to little more than trail and track duty but you won’t mind when you sample its assurance on the blacktop. The handling is reassuringly car-like and moves the game a few notches beyond what was considered the class standard. You’ll pay a penalty in terms of ride comfort but most will put up with a little more bump and thump in return for the excellent body control. Drive the Murano down the sort of longitudinally rutted surface that comprises many British B-roads and there’s none of that wobbly head syndrome that afflicts many 4x4 drivers. Instead, it sits foursquare on the road. The driving position is in actual fact a good few inches lower than most compact 4x4s and although it’s BMW X5 sized, the Murano feels as wieldy as something like an X3. The interior measures up to what many would expect given the car’s sharp suit. The dashboard offers three inset dials and a tilted centre console pod. Despite its low slung stance and narrow side windows, clever use of pale colours and a big sunroof means that the Murano still feels pleasantly airy. Rear seat occupants won’t be complaining either, as there’s a good deal of both head and legroom. Even the rear doors are reasonably proportioned. The Murano probably won’t be your weapon of choice if outright luggage capacity is your goal, the raked tailgate cutting down on usable room. The cabin offers plenty of storage holes with a two-tiered lockable one between the front seats big enough for a laptop. The ‘floating’ centre console adds a sense of space to the reality and houses the standard ‘Birdview’ DVD satellite navigation system. Other deft styling touches include the remote flip-down rear seats and the instrument binnacle which moves with the steering column as it’s adjusted just like it does on a 350Z. Unlike many other 4x4s, the Murano doesn’t come with poverty specification and an options list as long as your arm. Therefore Nissan won’t be asking Murano customers to pay more for 18" wheels, xenon headlights, a leather interior, the DVD satnav, a rear parking camera, darkened windows or a Bose 7 speaker audio system. It’s all right there in the sticker price. The Murano has struck a chord in the US where it’s currently shifting around 5,000 units every month. With a price tag that many will still see as quite an ask for a Nissan, will it succeed over here in the land of the £4 gallon? I can’t see it becoming anything more than a specialist niche car. Buyers in this market are after the sort of image and residuals that only come with the brand equity of a premium badge. Nissan have conquered a number of other markets previously thought beyond them and the Murano is a very strong product. Whether this is a stretch too far for British buyers remains to be seen.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Nissan Murano PRICE: £30,085 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 15 CO2 EMISSIONS: 295g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 8.9s / Max Speed 124mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 16.4mpg / (extra urban) 29.7mpg / (combined) 23mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: twin front, side and curtain airbags, ABS. WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/height 187.6/74/66.5 inches

SPACE INVADER Models Covered: (5dr 4x4 - 3.5 petrol)

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

Looking more like something Harrison Ford would use for transport in Blade Runner than a lifestyle 4x4, the Nissan Murano was tough to fit into any accepted category when it beamed down in the UK in 2005. Propelled by by the same engine that powered the cultish 350Z coupe, the Murano was part sports car, part 4x4 and managed to confuse the heck out of potential buyers. Even now, Muranos are an uncommon sight on our roads. While it may have been a modest seller from new, does Nissan’s mothership make better sense second time round?

Believe it or not, Nissan isn’t the first Japanese manufacturer to attempt to sell a powerful, exciting petrol 4x4. Mitsubishi’s 276bhp Pajero Evolution may have been cut from coarser cloth but it gave us an opportunity to see why this theme had never been tried before. While that sort of vehicle is great for taking on Paris-Dakar, it’s not quite so at home in a country with fuel prices like ours. The Murano is equally powerful but when it was first introduced into dealerships in March 2005, it was sold not through a minor performance division but alongside Micras and Almeras in most Nissan dealers. In June 2006, the satellite navigation system was upgraded and the Murano’s engine was tweaked to comply with Euro IV regulations. The biggest change was the unveiling of the turbocharged 340bhp Murano GT-C at the 2006 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Designed to offer ballistic intercontinental cruising abilities, this is a crossover vehicle to be reckoned with.

The Murano’s combination of swoopy curves and diamond-cut edges combine well in a way that has eluded many reputed stylists. The nose is particularly interesting, offering a canted back cookie cutter grille with vertically stacked headlights. The nose is almost Micra-neat with tail lights that again evoke images of the 350Z coupe. The flanks have definite shoulders and a kicked up beltline and the details fuse into each other nicely as you walk around the car. Although the suspicion that all-round visibility was sacrificed at the altar of style is never far way, you have to admit the trade off was worth it. The interior measures up to what many would expect given the car’s sharp suit. The dashboard offers three inset dials and a tilted centre console pod. Despite its low slung stance and narrow side windows, clever use of pale colours and a big sunroof means that the Murano still feels pleasantly airy. Rear seat occupants won’t be complaining either, as there’s a good deal of both head and legroom. Even the rear doors are reasonably proportioned. The Murano probably won’t be your weapon of choice if outright luggage capacity is your goal, the raked tailgate cutting down on usable room. The cabin offers plenty of storage holes with a two-tiered lockable one between the front seats big enough for a laptop. The ‘floating’ centre console adds a sense of space to the reality and houses the standard ‘Birdview’ DVD satellite navigation system. Other deft styling touches include the remote flip-down rear seats and the instrument binnacle which moves with the steering column as it’s adjusted just like it does on a 350Z. Unlike many other 4x4s, the Murano never came with poverty specification and an options list as long as your arm. Therefore Nissan didn’t ask Murano customers to pay more for 18" wheels, xenon headlights, a leather interior, DVD satnav, a rear parking camera, darkened windows or a Bose 7 speaker audio system. You want all that? You’ve got it as standard.

Although import examples can be found cheaply, UK specification cars are better equipped and rustproofed, with markedly superior security systems, so it’s worth looking for one of these official cars. The additional outlay is often recouped over a typical period of ownership through cheaper insurance, so while grey imports may look initially tempting, there’s very little in it on a pence per mile basis and most customers would prefer the additional trim of a UK car. UK cars start from around £22,000 on an 05 plate.

The only thing that can really wreck a Murano is if its previous owner took the whole 4x4 thing a bit literally and attempted to subject the car top some serious off roading,. Put it this way – the Murano has more 350Z than Patrol in its DNA and the all-wheel drive system is really only designed to offer a traction advantage on slippery tarmac or grass and gravel. Ground clearance is modest and those alloys will be wrecked within minutes in flinty ruts. Otherwise it offers bomber build quality, the 3.5-litre engine being particularly rugged.

(Estimated prices, based on a 2004 Murano) Front brake pads are around £70 a pair with rears retailing at around £55. A new radiator is around £250 with a starter motor also costing about the same. A windscreen costs £340.

The Murano’s underpinnings are as unconventional as its togs. The saloon car chassis combined with a detuned version of the 350Z’s V6 engine all mated to a version of the 4x4 system seen on the X-Trail. It all sounds something of a bastard combination but from this amalgam of disparate elements comes a genuinely attractive whole. Given that it comprises so many parts, I’d hesitate to call it greater than the sum of said parts but you get the idea. The engine cranks out 245bhp which is more than enough for what is a surprisingly compact vehicle. Needless to say, with this sort of power at its elbow, the Murano doesn’t hang around. It’ll bludgeon its way through 60mph in 9.0 seconds but the average fuel consumption figure of 23mpg never made any Nissan billboard ads. Those expecting a sledgehammer punch like the 350Z might be slightly disappointed by the Murano’s acceleration but this is a bigger vehicle than the cohesive styling might suggest, weighing in at a hefty 1,865kg and the 31bhp detune can be felt at the top end of the rev band. Drive is directed to the front wheels in normal conditions, only being sent astern should things get slippery. A switch can lock the 4x4 system in place if that should happen. The handling is reassuringly car-like and moved the game a few notches beyond what was considered the class standard. You’ll pay a penalty in terms of ride comfort but most will put up with a little more bump and thump in return for the excellent body control. Drive the Murano down the sort of longitudinally rutted surface that comprises many British B-roads and there’s none of that wobbly head syndrome that afflicts many 4x4 drivers. Instead, it sits foursquare on the road. The driving position is in actual fact a good few inches lower than most compact 4x4s and although it’s BMW X5-sized, the Murano feels as wieldy as something like an X3.

A used Murano offers a lot of car for your money, especially when new compacts like the BMW X3 and the Land Rover Freelander 2 are now seriously pricey. Instead of paying the thick end of £30k for one of these off a forecourt and swallowing a big depreciation hit, a year or two year old Murano looks a more sensible financial decision.