NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW: New look Murano debuts

Nissan’s Murano crossover will be replaced. Largely unloved Down Under and a poor performer in local sales terms, in contrast the Murano is a strong seller for Nissan in the USA. Little wonder that the company chose a North American show to debut the next generation – in this case New York International Auto Show.

Drawing from the company’s 2013 Detroit Motor Show Resonance Concept, the third generation of the company’s “flagship crossover” symbolises “Nissan's design-led product and brand renaissance,” claims the US market PR spin.

Key styling changes are all drawn from the company’s new design playbook and include ‘V-motion’ grille and front clip, LED ‘boomerang’ headlights and running lights and a Range Rover-esque ‘floating’ roof.

The new Murano also features a restyled interior, which Nissan claims features higher-grade materials and “offers an engaging social lounge feel through features such as the refined lower-height instrument panel, wide centre console, advanced NASA-inspired Zero Gravity front and outboard rear seating, and the airy atmosphere created by the large windows and oversized Power Panoramic Moonroof”.

Nissan claims the cargo area of the new Murano is larger than the previous generation and “more practical with a fold-flat rear seat with available power return”.

“All rear seating/cargo configurations can be done from the back, with no walking to each door,” the company states.

Targeting adult passengers, rear-seat comfort and legroom have been improved, Nissan says.

New Murano carries over its existing 3.5-litre DOHC V6 and Xtronic constantly variable transmission. There was no news on detailed changes to the engine. Unlike the Resonance concept, there’s no mention of a hybrid contribution to the new Murano’s drivetrain – at least not yet... In the US market Murano will be offered in front and all-wheel-drive variants.

The new Murano is slated to arrive in Nissan’s US showrooms in late 2014, however, it will be mid-late 2015 before it comes Down Under.

Nissan Australia sold just 1125 Muranos here last year, around half of the volume moved in 2012.

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