Description and history of the car Nissan Murano

Nissan Murano — a mid-size crossover (SUV) produced by a Japanese automaker "Nissan Motor Co., Ltd." from 2002 to the present. The body is produced as a 5-door SUV, and from 2011 to 2014 a 2-door convertible was produced. The engine is located transversely at the front, the drive is all-wheel drive, and there are also front-wheel drive, cheaper models. The car was initially oriented towards the USA, so the design was developed in the division "Nissan America". Sales in Europe began in 2004. The car is named after Venetian glass, made using ancient techniques on the island of Murano near Venice.

The main competitors of the Nissan Murano are the following cars from other companies: Audi Q5, BMW X3, Ford Explorer, Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe, Range Rover Evoque, Lexus NX 300, Mazda CX-9, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Pathfinder, Peugeot 5008, Skoda Kodiaq, Toyota Venza, Volkswagen Touareg and Volvo XC60.

First generation (Z50, 2002−2007)

The first generation was presented to the public at the New York International Auto Show in March 2002. Production began in May 2002, and sales in the US began in June. The car was available with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). It featured fully independent suspension on all wheels. The car's safety was ensured by a full set of inflatable airbags, a cabin reinforced with steel elements, electronic stability control, an ABS system, electronic brake force distribution and brake assistance. The body length was 4770 mm, width 1880 mm and height 1705 mm.

It was equipped only with a 3.5-liter V-6 petrol engine (3498 cm³, VQ35DE, V6) with a capacity of 245 hp, which was also installed on the Altima, "Maxima" and a sports car "Nissan 350Z". For the Japanese market there was a 2.5 liter engine (2488 cm³, QR25DE, I4) with a capacity of 175 hp. The transmission was the only option - a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and was considered at that time one of the largest cars using a CVT.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted a series of crash tests and awarded the maximum 5-star rating in all tests, but the rollover test only received 4 stars.

In 2006, the model was updated. They began to install LED taillights and turn signals, a color screen in the basic configuration, a backup video camera, GPS navigation, and also slightly modified the front panel.

A limited-edition high-performance version, called the "GT-C," was produced with a 305-horsepower VQ35DE engine. This car could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 8 seconds.

Second generation (Z51, 2009−2014)

The second generation was unveiled at the Los Angeles International Auto Show in November 2007 as a 2009 model, and sales began in January 2008. This meant Nissan skipped the 2008 model year. There were three trim levels: "S" (base), "SL" (mid-range) and "LE" (highest level). The car is based on the Nissan D platform. The body was a 5-door SUV, measuring 4788 mm in length, 1882 mm in width, and 1699 mm in height, with a curb weight of 1759-1826 kg. After the 2011 restyling, the length was 4823 mm and the height 1727 mm. A convertible version was also available, measuring 4829 mm in length, 1892 mm in width, and 1681 mm in height. The convertible version was discontinued in 2014. Front wheel drive or all wheel drive.

The petrol engine was a six-cylinder V-shaped 3.5-liter unit (3498 cm³, VQ35DE, V6) with a capacity of 265 hp. Since 2011, for the first time it has been possible to buy a Murano with a four-cylinder diesel engine with a capacity of 2.5 liters (2488 cm³, YD25DDTi, I4) with a capacity of 190 hp. For the Japanese market there was a four-cylinder gasoline engine with a volume of 2.5 liters (2488 cm³, QR25DE, I4) with a capacity of 160 hp. The transmission is traditionally a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and for the first time a 6-speed automatic was also installed.

The second generation included a host of electronic features such as rain-sensing wipers, a power tailgate and folding rear seats, iPod integration, and a hard-drive-based GPS navigation system with a touchscreen. Standard features for safe driving include anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), electronic stability control and a suite of airbags. The American NHTSA agency awarded the car four stars in the frontal crash test and five stars in the side impact test, which is worse than the first generation.

The 2011 model year car was restyled. The length and height of the body were slightly increased, the front and rear lights were updated, and new wheel rims were installed. The interior has also undergone minor updates.

Nissan presented "Murano CrossCabriolet" at the 2010 Los Angeles International Auto Show, billing it as "the world's first convertible crossover." The vehicle was canceled in April 2014.

Third generation (Z52, 2015–present)

The third-generation Murano was unveiled at the New York International Auto Show in April 2014 as a 2015 model. Sales in Japan were cancelled due to stricter domestic vehicle regulations. The engine was located in the front, with all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive only. The body is a 5-door SUV, 4887 mm long, 1915 mm wide, 1689 mm high.

The engine was a six-cylinder V-shaped petrol with a volume of 3.5 liters (3498 cm³, VQ35DE, V6) 260 hp. Transmission: 6-speed automatic or continuously variable transmission (CVT). In 2016, a hybrid version of the Murano with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine was released (2488 cm³, QR25DER, I4) 250 hp and a lithium-ion battery with a 20 hp electric motor.

Murano Z52, back view

Murano Z52, side view

Murano Z52, interior