Murano scores diesel engine in UK, but no go for Oz

The polarising style of Nissan's Murano crossover will received a minor tweak for next year, the reworked front end sporting a new grille, larger air intakes, different fog lamps and reshaped bumper.

But more than a cosmetic upgrade, the changes made to the mid-size Murano actually mean a diesel engine is on the way, Nissan confirming a turbo oiler will make the cut for European sales from September, the additional radiators to provide added airflow to Nissan’s 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine not quite fitting within the exisitng front mask.

Murano 2.5 dCi will be mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission, not the CVT used in petrol models, and will develop an estimated 142kW/450Nm.

In the UK, fuel economy averages put the new engine at 8.0L/100km on the combined average cycle with CO2 emissions around 210g/km.

Diesel Murano will be available in a single specification featuring 20-inch alloy wheels, an electric tailgate, BOSE 11 speaker stereo system with Bluetooth, a colour reversing camera and kerbside cameras, plus new seven-inch, touch screen satellite navigation system.

Expected to account for almost 90 per cent of all European Murano sales, the diesel SUV will hit showrooms from September, and will be priced from £37,795.

Nissan Australia told the Carsales network that diesel Murano is not on the agenda locally, saying "the market where Murano competes is a more boutique segment with a different demographic, similar to the Lexus RX, and is not a segment where a the diesel image fits."

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