There are cars that evoke polar, literally opposite emotions in people. Someone falls into ecstatic delight from their appearance, and someone frowns: "God, well, a freak ...". So, Murano is not one of those. The brainchild of the team of Ken Lee, creative director of Nissan Design America, literally everyone likes it. So I immediately liked Murano. I liked how organically fit into the appearance of a solid large crossover such a sporty element as “boomerang-style” lighting equipment. For the first time, such headlights and taillights appeared on the Nissan 370Z sports coupe ...
By the way, only high-tech LED sources are used in Murano's lighting technology. I liked the muscular plasticity of the sides and the well-defined semicircles of the wheel arches. Well, the “floating roof”, reminiscent of the flybridge of expensive ocean yachts, is a real find! And all you need to do is close the rear pillars with black lining, merging with the tinted rear windows and continuing the roofline with an aerodynamic deflector. Ken Lee has already said that this solution will be applied to other models...
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The front part, like all crossovers of the brand, is decorated in the V-motion corporate style, but I have never seen such curved lamellas that repeat the outlines of a massive chrome trim in the shape of the letter V. And chromium - yes, there is a lot of chromium. There are chrome trims on both the front and rear bumpers. A solid shiny trim covers the thresholds, and thin chrome strips border all the side windows. In a word, American roots are immediately felt ... But here's what's interesting: when you look at Murano from a distance, it doesn't seem to you at all that this is a big car weighing under two tons. You begin to understand the real size when you come close. Or such a moment: if you look at the car from the perspective of "three-quarters", then it gives the impression of massive, aggressive and even brutal. But in profile, its silhouette seems flattened and swift, like a sports car.
In general, a very worthy design creation, the basic principles of which were formulated when working on the 2013 Resonance concept. And there's only one thing that bothers me. Corporate design style is good. But now the massive Qashqai, the democratic X-Trail and the flagship Murano have similar outlines, although they differ in a lot of details. But what will happen when, during the change of generations, the design solutions found during the work on Murano appear on the younger models? No, buyers of more budget cars will definitely like it, but whether those who paid many times large sums for their car will be happy is a big question...
lowering the degree
Inside, American motives are felt no less than outside, especially in cars with a light interior option. It is enough to look at the “foot handbrake” pedal sticking out under the left foot, at the large plump leather steering wheel, at the massive chairs with thick cushions, covered with delicate, pleasant to the touch perforated leather.
In fact, many of the decisions here are taken from the Resonance concept, although the "degree of futurism" was still somewhat lowered. At one time, the creators of the concept formulated their main idea in this way: “The inhabitants of Resonance should bathe in light, both natural and artificial.” We see the same approach in Murano. Compared to the previous generation crossover, the total glazing area has increased by 40%, the hatch opening has increased by 29%, and in the dark, the interior backlighting system creates comfort.
On the upper console are located not only the light control buttons and the slider key responsible for the panoramic roof blind and the sunroof itself.
In its front part there is a solid container for glasses, where even an accessory will fit, in which the turtle sang the song “I am lying in the sun ...” together with the lion cub. But I recommend paying attention to a small panel, which shows a red telephone receiver and SOS is written. Under this panel is hidden the emergency call button of the ERA-GLONASS system.
As a matter of fact, it is precisely because of the mandatory certification tests of this system that the car, the assembly of which at the Nissan plant in St. Petersburg began back in June, has not yet arrived at dealerships. The company assured us that everything went well, two freshly assembled cars were smashed, while the automatic system successfully transmitted all the necessary information to the center, so prices will be announced on August 1, and then - welcome, dear customers!
touch and love
I must say that the general architecture of the interior also creates a feeling of comfort. There are very few straight lines in it, mostly gently curved and very intricately conjugated curves. At the same time, in general, the interior is rather laconic: take a look at the center console, the outlines of which echo the V-shaped trim on the radiator grille. Fortunately, the designers still did not dare to assign control of absolutely all functions to the touch screen. By the way, this is exactly what was done in the Resonance concept, where only two rotary knobs remained on the console. Murano has all the hotkeys and buttons you need, and most importantly, there is a Back button that makes working with on-screen menus much easier.
The shape of a lot of buttons attracts attention. See how the automatic window controls fit into the shape of the armrests! Well, the buttons and levers - “rocking chairs” on the steering wheel are a completely different story. Almost everyone has their own unique shape!
Here, however, one mistake was discovered: the silver lining on the steering wheel spokes, the very ones on which the buttons were located, turned out to be slightly wider than the spokes themselves. In general, a lady who decides to take the wheel with an “Italian grip” risks spoiling her manicure or even breaking her nail on the sharp edges of these overlays. But in general, it is felt that the designers paid maximum attention not only to the general perception, but also to tactile sensations.
Almost all surfaces that a person can touch are either covered in leather or made of soft, pleasant to the touch plastic.
Inclusions of metal, plastic under metal or under gray wood are minimal. The light textile ceiling is made in one tone with the leather upholstery of the lower part of the cabin and is separated from them by a strip made of darker soft plastic. All this gives the interior a certain completeness. Often, the interior space of cars of this class is compared with the interior of the head of a reputable company. In this case, such a comparison does not fit: a cozy living room, a rest room, but by no means an office.
Wow, wow, we are all astronauts...
As for ergonomics, here, first of all, it is worth talking about the new chairs, called Zero Gravity Seats, “zero gravity seats”. Nissan developed them together with NASA, and this work took eight years, from 2005 to 2013. As a result, 14 reference points were found, the correct relative position of which ensures the “neutral position of the body” and minimizes the load on the muscles of the back, lower back and spine. It is worth mentioning that Murano is the first model of Nissan, in which not only the driver's and front passenger's seats, but also the rear sofa are made using Zero Gravity technology.
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But these are all the stories of the manufacturer, but what are the real feelings? In essence, they are quite consistent with the promises, unless, of course, you like wide, imposing American-style seats.
I got behind the wheel without any problems. The only thing is that at first it seemed to me that the pillows were still a bit short and did not provide sufficient support for the hips, but this feeling disappeared very quickly. With my height of 182 cm, the length of the longitudinal adjustment was enough for me with a large margin. The only moment: even lowering the steering column to the stop (the column is adjustable in reach and height using a servo), I still really wanted to lower it even lower. I tried to raise the seat - no, it's uncomfortable, the optimal position of the legs relative to the pedals is violated. As a result, I found some compromise option, but all the same, my hands were raised higher than I would like.
7 inches between dials
The instrument cluster is designed in the style of the latest trends: two strict analog dials with pearl white backlight and a multifunctional color display located between them. But if most manufacturers limit themselves to installing a display with a diagonal of about four inches, and often monochrome, then Nissan has become generous by as much as seven! Scrolling through the pages of the display and selecting the information displayed on it is done using the button on the right spoke of the steering wheel. As a result, the panel looks very good, and all the data is perfectly perceived by the driver.
The concept of comfort also includes an optimal microclimate. With this, Murano is in perfect order: there is dual-zone climate control, the steering wheel and all seats are heated, including the rear passenger seats, and upholstery ventilation is also provided for the front row. For me, this is very correct, because in the heat any leather seats tend to turn into hellish pans, and no climate control helps from this misfortune, even if you can remotely start the engine and turn on the air conditioner in advance.
Finally, it is worth saying a few words about the latest generation NissanConnect multimedia system. It is equipped with an eight-inch touch screen and supports voice control, allowing you to control navigation, music or phone without taking your hands off the wheel and your eyes on the road. The source of musical accompaniment on a long journey can be a smartphone connected via Bluetooth, an iPod, a regular flash drive, or generally any device that can actually be connected via a linear AUX cable with a 3.5 mm plug. The USB slot and AUX jack are hidden under a cover, in a special niche on the transmission tunnel. Well, for the inhabitants of the gallery, their own optional entertainment system is provided with two displays in the headrests of the front seats, and its remote control lies in a special niche.
Batten down hatches, raise your back!
Trunk volume
Finally, the trunk. Compared to the previous generation, its volume has grown by 10% and now stands at 454 liters. But you can fold the rear seat backs and get an impressive space of 1,950 liters! But the most remarkable thing is not this, and not even that the tailgate opens and closes with a servo and does it quite quickly. Quite unique can be called the fact that the electric drive also returns back to the working position of the back of the rear seats!
Here you go. The internal space has been explored, a simple travel belongings are loaded, it's time to go!
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We go smoothly, we go fast
The first thing you notice is the very low noise level in the cabin. Soundproofing Murano is made at the highest level.
Fuel tank volume
At idle, the sound of a 3.5-liter engine is almost inaudible at all. The creators of the third generation Murano did not become wiser, and as the main option they chose the time-tested V-shaped "six" VQ35DE. But if in the cars of the American market its power is 260 hp. s., then for us it was deformed to 249 liters. with. to fit into a more comfortable tax zone. Paired with it, the X-Tronic variator works, and it does it, frankly, very well. The car perfectly “follows the pedal”, accelerates easily and quickly, reacting to pressing the pedal with minimal delays. I don't like continuously variable transmissions, but I have absolutely no complaints about this one. At the same time, you should not expect some kind of drive, racing emotions and accelerations pressing into the back of the chair from Murano. On the contrary, everything happens so smoothly and imperceptibly that it is worth very carefully monitoring compliance with the speed limit.
Max speed
The speed in Murano is practically not felt, and if you do not look at the instrument panel, you may not understand that you have long been the object of a photo hunting of cameras and radars of the traffic police. True, true, on a good road, both 70 and 150 kilometers per hour feel almost the same! In general, on highways, especially with high-quality coverage, Murano is completely in its element. It is under this mode of movement that the car is “sharpened”: the engine purrs barely audibly (at a speed of 110 kilometers per hour, its revolutions barely exceed 1,000, which means a very modest fuel consumption), the suspension “swallows” and a gentle wave , and small irregularities, your favorite music sounds in the speakers of the BOSE speaker system. You settled comfortably in the “zero gravity” chair, turned on the cruise control, relaxed and only slightly hold the steering wheel, because the Murano does not show any tendency to deviate from the trajectory.
Result of adaptation
However, the new flagship of the Nissan crossover line did not save on the winding paths of the former East Prussia, where the trunks of centuries-old oaks rise close to the asphalt canvas. And here the complex of works on adapting the model to Russian road conditions has already affected. This work lasted eight months, and as a result, both the parameters of the elastic elements of the rear suspension and the settings of the shock absorbers were radically changed, but the front one remained practically unchanged. By the way, the fact that the stiffness of the suspension of the front and rear axles differs quite strongly is most clearly felt at railway crossings and when passing speed bumps. The Murano's suspension is much more composed. No, don't get me wrong: the crossover hasn't turned into an active driver's dream, literally provoking more and more aggressive storming sharp turns. The main feature that defines its essence is still comfort. But when driving within the framework of traffic rules on a winding road, you no longer want to slow down when cornering. There are rolls, but they cannot be called unacceptable, and there is no buildup.
Brief specifications
Dimensions, mm (L / W / H) 4 898 / 1 915 / 1 691 Gasoline engine V6, 3.5 l, 249 l. s., 325 Nm (L4 2.5 l + EM, 254 hp, 368 Nm) CVT X-Tronic transmission Acceleration 0-100 km / h, s 8.2 (8.3) All-wheel drive
But somehow I don’t want to rush into the abyss of off-road on Murano. Firstly, the modest ground clearance does not inspire confidence. Pay attention to the rear axle stabilizer lever literally sticking out from under the bumper ... And secondly, although Murano, like all other crossovers of the brand, is equipped with an All Mode 4x4-i all-wheel drive system, there are no controls that allow you to select the operating mode systems in the car, no. Everything is at the mercy of automation.
Fuel consumption for Nissan Murano
per 100 km
I can see everything from above!
Curb weight
1 885 (1 950) kg
However, the owner of Murano, who decides to have a picnic in a pretty clearing, to which you need to make your way through the trunks, has a good assistant at his disposal. I mean the Around View system. When reversing, it turns on automatically, but you can also force it on by pressing the Camera button on the center console. The dimensions of the car are quite large, and the ability to see the car from above allows you to recognize in advance the threat of contact with the side of the tree. The computer generates an image, starting from the pictures that transmit the front (it is hidden in the logo on the radiator lining), the rear (located above the license plate) and two cameras in the casings of the side rear-view mirrors. Naturally, the same system helps to maneuver in the cramped conditions of urban parking.
In addition, the Murano driver has a number of other electronic assistants at his disposal: a lane departure warning system, a blind spot monitoring system (its signal lights are located on the A-pillars) and a CTA system that detects the approach of another car using a radar when reversing from the parking lot.
Hybrids sing louder
As I have already said, both the "American" and the "Russian" Muranos use a 3.5-liter gasoline "six" as the main unit. I spent the entire first day of the test in just such a car. But in the poor range of model units, there is another, in my opinion, a very interesting option: a hybrid power plant, which includes a 2.5-liter in-line four and a 15 kW electric motor that complements it. Together they can develop 254 hp. from. and 368 Nm of torque. A special automatic double clutch is responsible for connecting the electric motor. A hybrid can be distinguished from conventional ICE vehicles only by a small nameplate on the front door. I ended up driving a hybrid on the second day...
So, despite the fact that, according to the passport data, the acceleration rate to “hundreds” of such machines is worse by 0.1 s, subjectively the hybrid version seems to be much more dynamic! Maybe the point is that the “four” roars louder during kickdown, or maybe you just feel the moment when the electric motor comes into operation ... But I could not find any other differences: both handling and suspension gasoline and hybrid cars are exactly the same. But under equal conditions, the gasoline consumption of a hybrid power plant is almost two liters less, and this can be a serious argument in favor of choosing just such an option, of course, if the price factor does not outweigh all the others.
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But Nissan will announce prices only on August 1. Talking about the market prospects of the model up to this point is somehow strange ... Nevertheless, it seems to me that they will buy the new Murano and even more than the previous generation of the model, which was sold in Russia in the amount of 25,000 units. After all, the Russian assembly allows you to seriously reduce the price, especially in comparison with the Infiniti QX60, which is similar in its internal essence and purpose.
materiel
Dmitry Yurasov browser site
A new body on an old, proven, well-established platform is perhaps the most popular recipe in the modern auto industry. It was it that was used by the developers of the new for us, but already familiar in America Nissan Murano with the designation Z52: platform D this year celebrates its ninth anniversary, and only of the models present on the Russian market it is based on the Nissan Pathfinder (R52) and Infiniti QX60 (L50) . This is not counting the untimely departed Nissan Teana (L33) and the previous Murano (Z51), which has not yet received the status of "old". The successor, as usual, became a little longer, but only due to overhangs, the wheelbase was not stretched, and the independent aluminum suspension (in front - McPherson, rear - multi-link) actually remained unchanged. The VQ35DE six-cylinder engine, familiar not only from the “old” Murano, but also from other models of the Renault-Nissan alliance, the fingers of two hands are not enough to list, has not undergone serious intervention either. And this is good news for us, because the previous 249 liters. from. in the Russian specification, this is a considerable saving on the transport tax, for which, in fact, the nominal "deforcing" was conceived. But the variator is new: the place of the previous Jatco JF010E unit was taken by a new one, from the same supplier, but with the JF017E index and a different method of torque transmission, a roller chain instead of a V-belt. A similar technology is used in their similar Audi and Subaru transmissions, but for Nissan it allowed it to expand the power range of the box from 5.4 to 6.3, which had a positive effect on efficiency. To help the variator, a torque converter is installed, like in a conventional “automatic” or the same “Subarovskiy” Lineartronic, and in the hybrid version, equipped, as before, with a four-cylinder QR25DER compressor engine, an electric motor with its own dry clutch was implanted instead. And yet, the main efforts of the developers were thrown on the body, and not only designers were involved here: for example, a serious aerodynamic study was carried out, which made it possible to reduce the drag coefficient to 0.31. To do this, I had to use details such as air intake flaps and deflectors on the bottom in front of the rear wheels. In addition, due to the increased use of high-strength steels, the body has become lighter and stiffer, as shown by the results of crash tests by the American Institute IIHS, which includes a rollover test. A force is applied to the corner of the roof, which gradually increases until a critical deformation is reached, and a car is considered safe if it can withstand a load of at least four times its own weight. The new Murano had a score of 4.54 versus 3.15 for its predecessor, which, combined with excellent results in all other tests (including the new low-overlap frontal impact test), ensured a Top Safety Pick + rating.
Flagship. Yes Yes Yes. It's hard for Nissan marketers to argue. The new large Murano, which has just arrived in Russia, really seems to be something that can decorate ... well, for example, a rich lineup. Auto-mobile-cover. Crossover mascot. Yes, someone's drooling will flow.
Nissan has the Qashqai, X-Trail, Pathfinder, Patrol and some in stock. But the new Murano will be the flagship of the crossover line, leaving the purely off-road theme to the premium Patrol cabinet.
And this is smart. Murano settled in Russia not for the sake of off-road adventures - its all-wheel drive with a plug-in tail “gets fat” automatically, and not at the will of the owner. And among the electronic chips there are none that would encourage you to move off the asphalt. The main thing in a large “parquet” from Nissan is a first-class move, softness and comfort, which you want to spread like an essence to other cars of the class.
Did I tell you something new about the car? Hell no. Almost all the components of Murano's success as a car have long been known. Soft suspension has become the hallmark of the first-generation model with the face of Slowpoke. Motors (we’ll get back to them) are far from a feature, and even the Zero Gravity branded “space” seats, which make it possible to sit in an anatomically correct position, Nissan has already offered as an option on the Teana sedan and on the X-Trail. But it's the combination of these things in one big car that makes this very car potentially cool. And refinement and adaptation turn a potential “class” into a real one.
I can’t believe my ears, but the American suspension settings definitely didn’t suit the Russian Nissan. Our Murano was supposed to get a more assembled, grippy chassis, so when adapting, the technicians first decided on the type of settings they were looking for, and then went to the suppliers for the necessary set of components. Do you understand? The Russian Qashqai has become more interesting as a result of softening the chassis of a European car, and the new Murano, which is now assembled near St. Petersburg, will become cooler due to getting rid of the original American softness.
In driving, the crossover is really cool. Throw him a hundred turns, and he responds with a chic move in which comfort does not argue with handling, and information does not melt somewhere along the way from the wheels to the leather steering wheel. The Murano's premium quality, as far-fetched as the term may seem, lies precisely in the feel of driving this large machine. In this situation, it is easy to imagine a person on the back sofa, relaxing after everyday hassle - there is a lot of space prepared for this, its own profiled sofa with the same Zero Gravity technology and a pair of optional monitors in the headrests of the front seats.
Opponent - Audi Q5
The first person Nissan wants to challenge to a duel. Pure premium. Know comments...
And yet, in most cases, children will ride behind, and the same person will get his dose of relaxation and sitting behind the wheel. For the ergonomics of the Murano cabin, you can safely slap the “five”. Yes, in contrast to the cool, almost sports car appearance (remember the 2013 Resonance superconcept?) with a floating roof, nothing in the cabin floats anywhere, but it doesn’t float either. The detailing is quite earthy and resembles other models of the alliance. For example, I see Infiniti knobs, but I don't see or find the necessary seat adjustments or rear window closers. Little things? Well, perhaps.
The isolated cabin perfectly hides external sounds. Because 249 forces of a 3.5-liter V6 petrol feel only to the touch. The motor can not be called new, but due to the settings it continues to be nimble, supplying the 1.9-ton crossover with more than decent dynamics with a cool pedal response. An alternative to gasoline is gasoline with electricity: in the Murano Hybrid version there are two engines (supercharged gasoline and electric), but the total 254 forces will not gain points either in acceleration (8.3 vs. 8.2) or in consumption (minus one and a half liters). But Nissan isn't counting on the hybrid hype. First of all, they are interested in an honest gasoline version - it is with the V6 that you can get a mono-drive Murano. It will have everything the same, including a rich basic package. And there won't be too much. An option that definitely arouses interest.
TEXT: KONSTANTIN NOVATSKY
An electronically controlled multi-plate center clutch is installed between the cross members of the rear subframe, and the bottom of it is protected by an anti-roll bar.
On solid ground, you can "cut down". Powerful suspensions work without breakdowns, if you look under the bottom from behind, you are amazed at the size of the levers. And the center clutch on the all-wheel drive version is hidden between the cross members of the subframe. This is a plus. Are there any downsides? Yes, the exhaust bracket hangs low. The Murano has a ground clearance of 184mm, but this part appears to be lower. Yes, even the distance from the ground to the mudguards behind the front wheels is only 170 mm. But the bumpers are located relatively high: the front one is 250 mm from the coating, the rear one is 350 mm.
The electronically controlled multi-plate clutch of the All Mode 4X4 system works completely independently of the driver and, as they say, lives its own life. There is no way to force it to be blocked. Therefore, on a sandy road or muddy clay, you can get "surprises" in the form of unexpected stern steering (rear wheels pick up when the system senses slipping of the front wheels). Another "assistant" that controls traction and directional stability, in fact, is forced to work in antiphase with the transmission, which, in fact, is happening. However, I would not call the Murano's handling in slippery substance under the wheels highly reliable, I would prefer to drive it slowly and smoothly, without provoking it to "unwind". In general, this is not a lord's business. We are sold convenience and comfort, let's enjoy them to the fullest.
Sales of the first generation Murano began in the United States at the end of 2002. In Russia, the crossover began to be officially sold only three years later, and the circulation reached about 9.5 thousand units. For seven years of sales of second-generation cars (until mid-2016), 25,000 crossovers were sold. In general, good performance, our model fell in love with the public. It is interesting that in Russia there are even single copies of such a Murano modification as the CrossCabriolet. This car was considered extremely unsuccessful in terms of design and was sold only in the United States, for only four years. Nevertheless, it was during the test days of the new Murano that I met this unique one on the streets of Moscow.
But what if the environment resists this? For example, does it prevent people from leaving for a picnic spot on the river bank, slipping under the wheels either rutted mud ruts, or potholes with water and an unknown state of the bottom?
If the ruts are not too deep, boldly move along them, catching the constant distinct pickups of the rear axle. The "cosmic" Murano will crawl forward with the confidence of a moon rover. The only thing that can stop him in such a situation is landing on the bottom.
And what do we have with geometric cross-country ability? I lower the nose of the crossover into a deep puddle, the parking sensors squeak and visually notify about the “stop”, and if you get out of the car and inspect the obstacle, it really seems that the lip of the front bumper is buried in the ground. However, at the start it turns out that no, it didn’t bury itself. The slippage of one of the front wheels is felt even more clearly, the pickup of the rear one too, and we force the water barrier.
I complicate the task: I expose the crossover at an angle to the shore of the puddle. In fact, now, at the moment it is in the water, diagonal hanging should occur. And let yourself happen. Electronics slows down the slipping wheel, and the car easily gets out of the water. The main thing is not to weaken the thrust (but do not increase it either), keep an even “gas”, the automation will understand your intentions and help in any way it can. The fully interaxal clutch of the All Mode 4X4 system is not blocked, perhaps this insures it from overheating. In any case, no matter how much Murano and I fiddled in the mud, we were unable to achieve overheating of the clutch.
I admit, I took risks and constantly kept in mind the "saving" phone number. There was no need to count on the help of drivers passing along a nearby highway, they cruised there too rarely. Nevertheless, the luxurious orange starship successfully coped with the earth's "swamp", so Murano cannot be called a SUV. You just need to remember that in the "nominal" the engine compartment of the new Murano is protected from below only by a plastic mudguard, a metal sheet is installed for an extra charge. Well, in difficult situations, the fuzzy picture from the rear view camera is not the best helper. Front and rear parking sensors also give alarms with some delay.
The flagship crossover from Nissan, in my opinion, turned out to be really flagship. He, as it turned out, deserves high marks in almost all disciplines, from outstanding, "space" design to off-road behavior. The fiery red crossover shared with me not only high comfort, but also excellent handling, as well as rich equipment. And I was simply surprised by the economy, I expected much less optimistic fuel consumption figures. What did not please us were some assembly flaws (the production of the new Murano was organized at the Nissan plant near St. Petersburg), as well as archaisms like a foot parking brake. That, in fact, is all. The rest is just pluses.
Well, regarding the color - orange metallic, of course, has already become the hallmark of the updated Murano, but it seems to me that a more sporty model deserves it. Personally, for myself, I would choose a more calm color - for example, dark gray, brown or dark blue. In total, the range has seven colors, including white (mother-of-pearl) and classic black.
Specifications Nissan Murano 3.5 V6 CVT AWD:
DIMENSIONS, MM
4898 x 1915 x 1691
WHEELBASE, MM
TURNING RADIUS, M
no data
GROUND CLEARANCE, MM
CURRENT WEIGHT, KG
ENGINE'S TYPE
V6, petrol
WORKING VOLUME, CUBE CM
CARGO VOLUME MIN./MAX, L
MAX. POWER, HP/RPM
MAX. TORQUE, N.M/RPM
TRANSMISSION
stepless variator (7 virtual gears)
MAX. SPEED, KM/H
ACCELERATION TIME 0-100 KM/H, S
FUEL CONSUMPTION (AVERAGE), L/100 KM
TANK VOLUME, L
author Andrey Ladygin, columnist for the portal "MotorPage" Edition site Photo photo of the author
And every time they create a product, before making some kind of abstract product, they study the target audience very carefully. They have a task, they have a habit, they basically have the same goal all their lives - to please the client. They know their internal client by heart, so the most demanding consumer of automotive equipment is a Japanese. It is for him that the most sophisticated designs are created.
The Russian car Nissan Murano was produced in St. Petersburg. Photo: Sergey Aslanyan
If you look seriously at what drives on Japanese roads, then in terms of technical complexity, this is probably the number 1 car fleet on planet Earth. There are a lot of amazing things there. Moreover, their roads are good, and there are no climatic cataclysms whatsoever to overcome this on a full drive or on a fully controlled chassis.
But every time when Japanese designers are faced with the task of conquering any country, or any serious market outside their usual habitat, they get into a dead end.
The complexity of forms, textures, materials and shades. Photo: Sergey Aslanyan
Here the boss comes to them and says: “Guys, today we are making cars for America. America? Where is it"? We open the atlas, we look. America is several times larger than Japan. - And who lives there? No one to ask. So, let's look at Wikipedia, the encyclopedia. Wow, Americans live there. And what do they look like? Well, probably, as a country - the country is big, which means that the people are big. Such big people, they are so weighty, serious. They must be smoking cigars. Exactly! They wear Stetson boots, they wear cowboy boots with spurs. In Russia, for some reason, these cowboy boots are called "Cossacks", which is incomprehensible.
Well, everything, the portrait is created. Under it we will make a car. And quite often, especially if it is some kind of serious all-wheel drive vehicle, with a hint of off-road crossover, it turns out such a big, weighty car in a hat, with a very serious expression on its face.
Behind the Murano video salon. Photo: Sergey Aslanyan
And with the design, too, the Japanese constantly have some non-trivial blunders, because they know that the most beautiful thing in the world is sakura.
This is such a clumsy, skinny stick with pink flowers on top. There is nothing better. Perhaps only a rock garden can be more beautiful, which you can stare at in a contemplative state for centuries. This is where true beauty lies.
And multimedia, and heating. Photo: Sergey Aslanyan
Japanese cars for the domestic market, to put it mildly, are ambiguous. And every time you have to splash out of your country, for example, to the very same America, whose portrait is so accurately guessed, another mistake happens. Although the Japanese understand what an American looks like - such a big, respectable man. What does his taste buds look like? Well, let's experiment. Here we experimented.
Nissan Murano. This is the third generation. The model is beautifully called Z52.
The main achievement of Bose is loud sound. Photo: Sergey Aslanyan
The car is made in America, the car is produced for the Americans. If the Japanese are told that there is a Nissan Murano in the world, they will be surprised, because their analogue of this design looks somewhat different.
The platform is well developed, the platform is quite competently started. But getting into the format of America with this machine, with this platform, of course, turned out to be difficult. But the Japanese are diligent people. They know that an American should drive a Nissan Murano. Therefore, this particular car will be created specifically for the American, so that a person in a hat and cowboy boots feels at home. How about at home? A hat on a carnation, boots on a stool, and out of twenty-five coasters, sip something so that, if your throat is dry, you can wet it well.
But while one part of the design team, in complete ignorance, gropes for a portrait of the target audience and somehow builds relationships with the design, the other clearly knows its maneuver. The Japanese follow the path of so many automakers, when they take not the platform, but the engine as the starting point in the creation of the car.
And in the arsenal of Nissan there is the famous engine of the VQ family.
The motor is fantastic. The motor debuted extremely long ago, in 1994. This is a family of V-shaped sixes - a family of 94. He appeared on the Nissan Cefiro, then slowly began to increase in volume. It's aluminum. It's got an aluminum head, it's got forged cranks, it's got a forged knee and it's always 60 degrees camber. But in terms of cylinder volume, it is, of course, different. Therefore, it is 2.0, it actually appeared on the Nissan Cefiro and appeared in 2.0 volume. And then there was an increase - 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, then with all the stops.
Thresholds are closed and clothes will remain clean. Photo: Sergey Aslanyan
For decades, this motor has been ranked first in the ranking of the engines of the planet Earth. This engine is probably one of the most outstanding in terms of reliability. To kill the engine of this family, you need to try on purpose, you need to pour nails there, some sand, put something else in there so that you can finally jam it. In other cases, this engine lives, overcoming the underdevelopment of the service and the underdevelopment of the owner.
And when Renault went around the world and looked closely at whom to marry? At one time in Sweden, she tried to find a groom for herself - to marry Volvo. It didn't work out very well. Bang! And what a dowry Nissan has! He also has a VQ family engine. Everything, marriage. Marriage of convenience.
Indistinct hint. Photo: Sergey Aslanyan
What is the result of this marriage? The engine of the VQ family is currently installed on 116 models of Renault, Nissan, Samsung, Infinity. And also, thanks to badge engineering, even on some cars with the Suzuki, Mitsubishi logo, and at the same time the famous racing Dallara. This engine is even driven by the Nissan Z family, you know, there are such sharp sports cars. It's all him, it's still the same motor.
And now, we are lucky, this amazing engine is under the hood of the Nissan Murano. He is always there. If Murano exists, then it has this engine under the hood. Well, and the variator, and all-wheel drive. But this is absolutely unimportant, because for such an engine one can forgive the ambiguity of design, misunderstanding of the American target audience.
Cream leather and even a cream steering wheel - Americans appreciate this. Photo: Sergey Aslanyan
And those people for whom the engineering component of the vehicle plays a more significant role than all other entourage accessories, they can choose this car for themselves because of the engine and never again call the Garage program, asking how long this engine will live. . This motor will outlive you!
This motor will live forever. This motor, after you sell the car or, God forbid, kill it, will carefully pull it out and put it on something else. In our country, it is declared with a capacity of 249 horsepower. And he carries almost all the Nissans that we have for a similar type and size. We had a Nissan Maxima with this engine, a Nissan Teana, as well as a complete twin brother of the Nissan Pathfinder.
Double window to the sky. Photo: Sergey Aslanyan
Here, of course, there is a big mystery, why do you need to have two identical cars in the range, why do you need to sell these two Americans, Pathfinder and Murano, in Russia?
They have the same motor, the same gearbox, the same platform. They have everything the same except for their looks. The only difference is that the Murano is a five-seater and the Pathfinder is a seven-seater. Now, if you still need a couple of additional stools in the trunk for this good engine, then you go and for the same money, almost a penny for a penny, you buy yourself a seven-seat variety. If you do not need it, you buy yourself a five-seater called Nissan Murano for the same money. Luckily, they cost the same.
Finally, Nissan has made shifting unambiguous. Photo: Sergey Aslanyan
And so, this large American car is made in a design that in Japan is most likely considered as such, and in the rest of the world they are perceived as a caricature.
Well, yes, at one time Mitsubishi walked along this rake, now Nissan allows itself such walks. It helps that so many people absolutely do not care how the car looks. Especially for those Americans who, in cigar smoke, pulling their hat over their eyes, go about their business, not paying attention to appearance, focusing on what is inside. What's inside?
In our market, this is one of the few cars that allows such a luxury: a light cream interior, almost white. Almost white, with a slight creamy tint, leather chairs, the same dashboard. And, oh miracle! Same color steering wheel. The steering wheel, of course, is overwritten pretty quickly. But you open the door, you, without getting smeared on the threshold (fortunately, the door is so vast, with serious seals from below, that the threshold always remains clean), install yourself in a huge device called Nissan Murano and immerse yourself in this splendor of a light cream shade, fumble for a button “Start”, revitalize the 3.5-liter VQ family engine, put the CVT selector in “drive” and go.
And you drive this car, with all its incredible power and huge potential, like a very heavy car. The machine in no way gives you lightness. Pathfinder is much easier to climb in this respect. There he stepped - he immediately fired, rushed.
Murano is more solid. He has such a cunning squint of a controversial face that this car is obliged to behave weightily in the stream. And under the saddle of a cowboy in Cossack boots, she behaves exactly as it was drawn on the drawing board in the column "Portrait of the target audience": sedately, thoroughly, shifting the steering wheel with tacks, slowly, listening to music, from which it nevertheless follows that the Americans - deaf, because when they were shot over the ear or the bear trampled on the ears, they lost all the musical shades. But Bose sounds loud.
The beauty of polished shapes. Photo: Sergey Aslanyan
And in the trunk, a subwoofer is screwed to death to the spare wheel, which you will have to somehow pick out from there, because under this subwoofer there is a screwdriver with which you can remove it. Therefore, if you have any difficulties with the spare wheel, then you will first need to solve the problem with the music box, and then with the spare wheel.
But is there sound? There is. Cream wheel? Cream. Is the engine amazing? Awesome. What else do you need? You needed five seats and you got them.
Murano is even more interesting because, since it looks non-trivial, it is, of course, looked at. The car always falls out of the general range, and if there was some design helplessness here, when they did not understand what is good and what is bad, in any case they solved the very important task of recognition.
Nissan Murano is completely unrealistic to confuse with anyone else. Nissan with Nissan is possible. When Nissans stand like sausages of different lengths in the general row, you don’t always guess which model is here. X-Trail, for example, and Qashqai are indistinguishable. Even when you know the only clue. You approach, you start measuring with a ruler - which car is longer, that one turns out to be the X-Trail. With Murano in its style, a little more autonomy of appearance. And everyone knows for sure that this is Murano. If such a task was - achieved.
In the bottom line, you get a car that has a very convenient transformation around the cabin. The rear seats, for example, from the trunk are laid out with a special button purely mechanically. You pull it - the back is gone. And when you need to raise it, you are not a Russian, but an American ...
I pull up the alligator-type hood: what is it, why does it not go further? Stuck gas stops? An employee of the plant noticed my hitch and rushed to help.
Here's one for you - everything is in order, it's just that our "alligator" jaws are unclenched to a too small angle. It is so small that you risk hitting your head on the hood during the most primitive operation - adding water to the washer reservoir. If you want to replenish coolant or brake fluid, a crouched posture and back contact with the hood are guaranteed.
From admiration to yawning
If the problem with the hood is the only joint, I forgive! For the audacity of appearance. Bizarre curves of metal, chopped edges next to smooth contours, headlights and taillights worthy of an alien ship, an abundance of chrome decor, 20-inch “rollers” in mighty wheel arches… Like it or not, that’s not the point. You can look at it for hours! I got so carried away that I lost precious time, which was just nothing - the car was entrusted to me literally for an hour and a tail.
Delight subsided as soon as he opened the driver's door. It seems that the designers ran out of steam on the exterior and approached the work on the interior with their last breath. No, no, it's hard to find fault with the finish. Everything is strict, solid, made of high-quality materials, with an abundance of electronic bells and whistles - but the stunning "space" has gone cold.
But there is more than enough electronics - from the steering column servo joystick for reach and tilt to USB and HDMI slots for rear passengers and monitors in the headrests of the front seats. And also a headlight washer, steering wheel heating, dual-zone climate control, a socket that can load up to 120 watts. By the way, the tailgate is powered by a servo and opens from the buttons in the cabin and on the door itself, as well as from the key fob. Unlike the hood, the tailgate rises high - you can't hit your head on it.
The "obligation" - the SOS key of the ERA-GLONASS system - has also been implemented with soul. Hidden in the ceiling under a hinged lid is a rectangular source of poisonous red light, and it has the same color. Just like a fire alarm somewhere in the office. Insurance against accidental clicks is provided, but if you need it, you won't miss it.
So fast you don't notice
There were no stunning changes in terms of hardware - Murano 3 is built on the Nissan D platform, common to Murano 2, Teana, Infiniti JX and Renault Laguna models. The front suspension is with McPherson struts and aluminum alloy wishbones. Behind - multi-link. All-wheel drive transmission All Mode 4 × 4‑i - like its predecessor, without any locks.
The engine, as they say, is time-tested - a 3.5‑liter V‑shaped “six” with a capacity of 249 hp. She, the only one, was put on Murano 2 for the Russian market. And for the new Murano, they also saved up a hybrid powertrain. Its total power is 254 hp, of which 20 "horses" are produced by an electric motor, and the rest - by a 2.5‑liter gasoline turbo engine. At close power, the hybrid unit produces more torque: 368 Nm versus 325 Nm for the V6 3.5 engine.
It is still better to refrain from off-road exploits: the ground clearance has barely grown - from 175 to 180 mm. And the belly of the car is littered with parts that are easy to damage. Behind - uncovered stabilizer, gearbox and exhaust system, the pipes of which run below the suspension arms. The front is no better: a plastic mudguard with a cutout exactly in the area of \u200b\u200bthe exhaust system and cast parts of the power unit. And along the entire bottom - open supports, brackets and plastic fasteners. Particularly "pleased" with the guards under the thresholds at the rear wheels - they stick out below the mudguards. They won't last long on our roads. So don't let the improved geometric cross-country fool you: there is no second line of defense behind the increased ground clearance.
The few minutes that I have left for a familiarization trip are unacceptably small in order to draw serious conclusions about the nature of the car. First of all, I appreciated the work of the rear view camera. The picture from it is displayed on a large monitor - the same one at the top of the console. While taxiing out of the parking lot, I noticed that the monitor gives out several angles - in addition to the picture from the rear camera, it sometimes switches to the projection of the car from above so that the driver does not accidentally strike the bumper on the curb.
It is quiet in the cabin at city speeds - the noise of the engine, running gear and tires is almost inaudible. There are no questions about the sensitivity of the steering and brake pedal. Sat - went! The thrust of the gasoline engine is enough for both tight driving and vigorous acceleration. But we are not talking about sports ambitions - primarily because of the smooth, “trolleybus” transmission of torque by the variator. As the engineers assured me, the Xtronic variator was “refined to improve acceleration dynamics and smoothness.” An interesting combination. Rush so smoothly that you don't even notice? We will draw the final conclusions later, but if I had my way, I would give a crossover with such a catchy appearance a few injections of “driving beast”!
When and how much
The new Murano is already rolling off the assembly line of the Nissan plant near St. Petersburg, but sales will start only in September.
The volume of output, as well as prices, are kept secret until the last moment - they say, the market will show. But overall, Nissan's AWDs are selling well. According to the statistics of Russian sales for the first five months of the year, “good” is the 17th place for the Qashqai model, and the X-Trail stays at the 22nd. And this is in the overall standings, together with cars. I think the gasoline Murano will not get lost. I only doubt that the hybrid version will be a market success - it will certainly be designed to play on the prestige of the entire Nissan line and will be noticeably more expensive.
Only one thing can be said: the current capabilities of the Russian plant make it possible to quickly increase Murano production. If there is a demand - at least up to 100 thousand a year.
