Diesel version of Nissan Murano available this year
Written By Alison Bell Published On: Mar 16 2010Nissan is hoping the introduction of a diesel engine to its beefy Murano line-up later on this year will boost its lead in the premium crossover market. The diesel version comes just as Nissan will introduce the fourth member of its Crossover line-up, the Juke, and soon after the introduction of the revised Qashqai.
An enhanced version of Nissan’s 2.5 dCi four cylinder engine, has been fitted to the Murano, giving a combination of better torque and reduced consumption and emissions. The engine is equipped with a diesel particle filter, helping Murano to achieve Euro5 emission standards.
The engine now produces 190PS and 450Nm of torque and changes made include a new direct injection system which operates at 2,000 bar, up from 1,800 bar. This increase in pressure means the fuel spray is atomised to an even finer degree resulting in more complete combustion. A new cylinder head with parallel ports increases the swirl efficiency of the combustion process, smoothing the intake and exhaust flow, while a new variable nozzle turbo with electric control rather than the previous hydraulic system for quicker responses has also been adopted.
The engine is offered as a single powertrain with a six-speed automatic gearbox which is equipped with Adaptive Shift Control, which Nissan says will modify shift patterns according to the prevailing driving style, tailoring the gearbox to hold on to a lower gear during a descent for added engine braking, for example.
Power is transmitted to the road via Nissan’s advanced ALL MODE 4x4-i technology, which sends power to the rear-wheels when a loss of stability or traction is detected.
One of the key factors in the Murano’s appeal is its design – combining SUV attributes, with more dynamic qualities of a sporty sedan. The lower half of the exterior gives an SUV-like air of solidity and robustness, with pronounced wheelarches and a rippled effect at the bottom of the doors, giving a muscular appearance.
The upper half is more dynamic, thanks to its steeply raked windscreen and rising window line at the rear, which is Nissan’s signature Crossover styling feature.
For the more clumsy or just vandalism-scared drivers, the Murano benefits from Nissan’s own Scratch Shield paint. While not magic, Nissan does say it is more scratch resistant compared with conventional clearcoats, helping a vehicle maintain its new look for a longer period of time. The paint also repairs fine scratches, restoring a vehicle's surface close to its original state.
An added safety function are the parking cameras. In addition to the now expected rear view camera, the Murano has another camera mounted within the passenger door mirror. The image transmitted to the dashboard screen will show the driver any obstacle otherwise hidden in a blind spot during parking manoeuvres.
Among the standard features are the leather interior with aluminium accents in the cabin, satellite navigation with full colour seven inch screen, Intelligent Key with Stop/Start button and full climate control with mild flow dissipation. The front seats are power operated – the driver’s seat has eight-way control including power lumbar support. The front and rear seats are heated.
Nissan expects deliveries to begin in September.
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