Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet: more details
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1st December, 2010
As the world’s first all-wheel drive cross-over
convertible, the 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet breaks new ground in both the cross-over SUV and
convertible segments. With its never seen before design and custom boutique style, the Nissan Murano
CrossCabriolet is unlike anything on the road – blending all of the things people enjoy in a cross-over
with the open air enjoyment of a convertible. Having made its world debut at the 2010 Los Angeles Motor
Show, the new Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet is scheduled to go on sale in America during early 2011.
“When people think of a cross-over, they think of a combination of the driving sophistication of
a sedan with the utility of a sport utility. This new Murano CrossCabriolet adds an unexpected third
element, the ability to make everyday activities more exciting with open air driving,” said Al
Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc.
“However, with its extraordinarily engineered convertible top, standard all-wheel drive and room for
four adults plus cargo, the CrossCabriolet is not just for cruising South Beach or Malibu. It’s a
vehicle to take to lunch, running errands or on a long ski weekend in any part of the country.”
Possibilities Await: Murano CrossCabriolet Design Concept
The impetus behind innovation is often as simple as asking questions not posed before, such as how do
you overcome the functional limitations of a convertible? “Everyone loves the convertible experience,
no one loves the convertible reality – compromised trunk (boot) space, a cramped back seat or none at
all, and a lack of flexibility for everyday life,” said Castignetti. “The Murano CrossCabriolet
is the reinvention of versatility, encouraging people to rethink what a convertible can be.”
The all-new Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet overcomes these obstacles, combining elegant design and
state-of-the-art engineering. One of the priorities in the convertible top design was the retention of
the traditional Murano silhouette with the top up, and a luxurious, sophisticated appearance with the
top down.
The transformation of the Murano body from Cross-over to CrossCabriolet and from 4-door to 2-door
meant more than just removing the top. Along with providing new front doors (7.9 inches longer than
4-door Murano front doors) and eliminating the B-pillars, the structure has been reinforced from the
A-pillar rearward. The cloth convertible top also includes a rear glass skylight, helping provide a
wide-open interior environment even with the top in the closed position. Dual pop-up roll bars are also
standard. The coefficient of drag remains close to that of the hardtop Murano, just 0.39 Cd versus 0.37
Cd.
One of the keys to the CrossCabriolet’s design’s success is the convertible top’s exceptionally
compact size when stowed, which allows both additional interior and cargo volume (normally taken up by a
traditional convertible stowage design). The hydraulically operated top mechanism includes an automatic
power latch/unlatch system. Operation switches are located on the centre console and driver’s door
handle. With the top down, the stowed size is similar to that of a conventional 2-seat roadster. Boot
capacity with the top down is 7.6 cubic feet, enough to fit two sets of golf clubs or two carry-on
suitcases. With the top closed, cargo capacity expands to 12.3 cubic feet.
Along with the unique convertible top appearance, the Murano CrossCabriolet exterior also includes
High Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-functional xenon projector headlights with auto on/off function, front
fog lights and Nissan 370Z-inspired LED taillights.
Other features include body-coloured front and rear bumpers, chrome door handles, body-coloured dual
power/heated outside mirrors, and rear window defroster with timer. Along with convertible style, the
CrossCabriolet offers the high ground clearance of a Murano for easy ingress and egress and enhanced
driver visibility.
Six exterior colours are available: unique Murano CrossCabriolet colours Sunset Bronze and Caribbean,
plus Merlot, Platinum Graphite, Super Black and Pearl White.
A Highly Rewarding Interior
The luxurious Murano CrossCabriolet interior starts with a foundation of the top-of-the-line Murano
LE and takes it to the next level of standard features and convenience items. The tall windshield and
A-pillar design combines with the body’s high beltline and high rear seat shoulders to help reduce
conventional interior air turbulence with the top down, allowing conversation between occupants.
Premium materials are used throughout the interior, with the standard leather- appointed seats
available in a diagonally quilted premium leather, double-stitched pattern for added elegance. The
interior’s curving, sculpted lines, half-matt chromed trim finish and unique wood-tone trim, tuned to
match each of three available interior colours, add an additional rich, quality feel. Interior colours
include Black, Cashmere (light brown) and Camel (brown).
The Murano CrossCabriolet comes fully equipped, with a long list of standard features including
8-way power heated driver’s seat with power lumbar support, 4-way manual heated front passenger seat
with easy entry function, heated steering wheel, 2-position driver’s seat memory system for seat,
steering wheel and outside mirrors, passenger seat easy entry release button on instrument panel for
driver access, driver and front passenger seatback pocket, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift
knob, and Nissan Intelligent Key™ with Push Button Ignition.
Every CrossCabriolet also comes with a standard Nissan Hard-Drive Navigation System with 9.3GB
Music Box® hard drive and XM NavTraffic® (XM® subscription required, sold separately), Bluetooth®
Hands-free Phone System, HomeLink® Universal Transceiver and RearView Monitor.
Open-air road tunes are provided by a Bose® AM/FM/CD audio system with 8 speakers including
subwoofer, automatic audio adjustment for soft-top up/down position, integrated Interface System for
iPod®, speed-sensitive volume control and auxiliary audio input jack. XM® satellite Radio (XM®
subscription requires, sold separately) is also standard.
“The interior of the Murano CrossCabriolet provides a custom boutique feel. With numerous colour
combinations offered between the exterior, interior and convertible top, owners can express their own
distinctive sense of style,” added Castignetti. “It’s a rare convertible that allows four
passengers to feel equally comfortable, which this stunning new design absolutely does – as well as
equally indulged.”
Under the Skin: Pure Murano
Open air driving is not the only emotional reward the Murano CrossCabriolet provides – it also
offers a secure, rewarding driving experience. Its no-compromise drivetrain is shared with the
all-wheel drive hardtop Murano, starting with the proven “D” platform (also utilised on Maxima and
Altima sedans) and standard 3.5-litre 24-valve DOHC V6 producing 265 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of
torque. The engine design includes the Nissan variable Induction Control System (NICS), twin knock
sensors, low exhaust pressure, a 10.3:1 compression ratio, and 6,000 rpm redline.
The engine is matched to a standard second-generation Xtronic CVT™ with Adaptive Shift Control
(ASC) for sporty response and smoothness, which utilises an advanced, sport-tuned controller with
adaptive logic for driving comfort or driving performance as conditions require. The advanced
all-wheel drive system connects the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system, yaw sensors, wheel slip
sensors and steering angle sensors to distribute torque according to driving conditions.
The Murano CrossCabriolet’s lightweight 4-wheel independent suspension features MacPherson struts
in front, a multi-link rear design, cradle-type front subframe and front and rear stabiliser bars.
Also utilised are dual-flow path shock absorbers for responsiveness and reduced ride harshness.
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Steering is provided by a twin-orifice vehicle-speed-sensitive power-assisted steering system,
while the braking system includes 4-wheel vented disc brakes with Anti-lock Brake System (ABS),
Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and G-sensor. Every CrossCabriolet
comes with 20-inch split 5-spoke titanium finish aluminium-alloy wheels with P235/55R20 Toyo
Proxes A20 all-season tyres.
Standard Murano CrossCabriolet safety features include the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System
(AABS) with dual stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt sensors and an occupant
classification sensor and door-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags with rollover
sensor, along with front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters, Zone Body Construction
with front and rear crumple zones, front seat Active Head Restraints, Tyre Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Traction Control System (TCS), Vehicle Security
System (VSS) and dual pop-up roll bars.
One Fully Equipped Model
The 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet is offered in one fully equipped model. Along with the
many items previously mentioned, standard features include power front windows with one-touch
up/down and auto-reverse feature, Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control, and a 7-inch colour
display for audio, climate control, fuel economy, maintenance and comfort and convenience
systems.
Also included are highly functional storage systems, including a two-tier centre console
storage box with fold-out function, cell phone holder, dual seatback pockets, Fine Vision gauges
and driver instrumentation with white backlighting, illuminated steering wheel controls, auto
door lock feature, four cupholders, tilting and telescoping steering column, auto-dimming
rearview mirror, cruise control with illuminated steering wheel mounted switches, front door map
pockets, and Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) system.
Only two options are available with specific exterior colours – a Camel interior with
upgraded leather and the black top, and the Brown top/Cashmere interior combination (with
upgraded leather).
“The versatility and functionality of a true all-wheel drive cross-over, the unique open
air driving experience of a pure convertible – the Murano CrossCabriolet is a breakthrough in
concept, design and execution,” said Castignetti. “Innovation meets Murano with stunning
results.”
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