Now Murano has become familiar, but in the early 2000s... Compared to the “Germans” and even the far from conservative Toyota Harrier/Lexus RX pair, it looked like an art object from a competition automotive design, who accidentally wandered onto the conveyor belt. In those years, Nissan was still experiencing economic crisis, and one way out seemed to be non-standard design. However, they also worked on the “lost” driving performance. Improved reliability. Taking into account the latter, how risky will it be to purchase and burdensome to operate a second-generation crossover in the Z51 body? What about the first generation Murano Z50? After all, the “oldest” cars recently turned 16 years old.
Nissan Murano first “emigrated” to Russia back in 2005 - that’s when sales of this Japanese-American crossover started. The second generation appeared in the country in 2009, and in 2011 Murano began to be produced at a plant near St. Petersburg. It took the model ten years to finally assimilate in Russia in its third generation. The new Murano is being assembled again near St. Petersburg, but, unlike its predecessors, a number of changes have been made to the design (with the participation of our “native” engineers), which should make operating the car in our harsh conditions even more pleasant.
Launching a new model during a crisis is comparable to a feat. The St. Petersburg Nissan plant does this for the third time this year, launching the third generation Murano. It became a gift not only to customers who had been waiting for a new product, but also to themselves for their anniversary.
“You work out at the gym, right?” Such a question is pleasing to the ego and makes you tighten your already expressive biceps. And it also reveals a simple truth: if you look great, then you definitely feel great.
The Murano occupies a rather interesting position in Nissan's lineup. On the one hand, based on its dimensions, its place is somewhere between the Nissan Rogue (the American equivalent new Nissan X-Trail) and Nissan Pathfinder - cars designed for the most comfortable family use. The Murano is quite capable of handling this task, although this is not its path, since, unlike its comrades, it does not have a third row of seats. There's also no rear-seat entertainment system. There is also no advanced system for transforming the interior and luggage compartment.
We had a lot of emotions the first time we stepped inside the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet AWD and folded down its large power roof. This is a crossover, it has a convertible top, all-wheel drive and wonderful proportions. This is undoubtedly an unprecedented car that has no ancestors and perhaps no future.
Oddly enough, I still remember my first meeting with the Murano. Even though this happened back in 2003. An ordinary city traffic suddenly cut through an unknown car with a unique silhouette with a sparkling radiator grille! The sun played in the bizarre curves and chrome elements of this car. The appearance of the first Murano was a revelation for its time, and the styling was so unusual that the crossover could be mistaken for being released on the road common use concept car!
First Nissan generation Murano was released back in 2002. After this, several upgrades and facelifts were made, but still the appearance of the crossover was characterized only by the word “specific”. On the road, the Murano drove stately and monumentally, but it was still greeted by its clothes.
Video review of Nissan Murano
And finally, on June 25, 2016, the Japanese launched production of a new model at a plant in St. Petersburg. And this is against the backdrop of the fact that Juke and Teana were withdrawn from the market. The handsome third-generation Nissan Murano rolled off the assembly line and began to explore Russian roads.
Exterior of Nissan Murano
The latest generation Nissan Murano exactly repeats its concept. Yes, in practice this is rare, but the Japanese still succeeded. The design of the crossover is truly cosmic: a V-shaped radiator grille outlines the front light optics and emphasizes the lines of the hood. The floating roof smoothly transitions into an impressive stern with boomerang-shaped rear lights. The designers managed to distinguish Murano from the general line, making it different from the same X-Trail and Pathfinder, which, in our opinion, are now twin brothers.
Nissan Murano competitors
Nissan Murano turned out to be not so simple: it managed to compete with the Koreans Sorento Prime and Grand Santa Fe, which has firmly occupied the niche of high-traffic SUVs. Let's not hide the sin, he and Volkswagen Touareg can compete.
The new Murano has eliminated flaws in terms of driving characteristics, sound insulation and fuel efficiency. We got to test a car in the TOP configuration with a well-proven 3.5-liter gasoline engine that produces 249 hp. and 325 N.m of torque with all-wheel drive.
The car received an X-Tronic transmission, in which almost 60 percent of the parts were redesigned, the range of gear ratios was expanded, which, according to the manufacturer, significantly increased acceleration dynamics and smoothness.
Nissan Murano interior
In total, Murano has 4 trim levels: Mid, High, High+ and Top. As standard, Murano has a very good set of NISSAN SAFETY SHIELD safety systems, which includes airbags, ABS, EBD, ESP, hill start assist and a host of other abbreviations. Even the base Nissan Murano already comes with a leather interior, a 7-inch display, remote engine start and other options.
As the equipment level increases, the equipment of the car also increases. The Top package includes a very good set, which not every premium SUV can boast of. The manufacturer donated Murano and 20s alloy wheels, and parking sensors front and rear, and what’s more, even an AVM all-round camera. The car sees 360 degrees, not a single detail can be hidden from the driver.
The car easily monitors blind spots using the BSW system. As soon as a lane neighbor enters the “dead” zone, Murano begins to signal in yellow, located near the side mirror area.
How many accidents happen because the driver does not see properly? various reasons objects that appear as the car moves and can interfere with its movement? Of course a lot! But in the case of the Nissan Murano, nothing like this will happen; it has a complex of MOD moving object recognition systems, DAS driver fatigue monitoring, and also prevents collisions when reversing CTA.
But that’s not all, get ready to write down:
*Electric drives for seats/trunk, and indeed everything possible
*All heating
*BOSE ® 5.1 Digital Surround Audio System with 11 speakers with 8" display and voice control
*Intelligent Key access system (chip key) with memory settings for the driver’s seat, steering column and rear-view mirrors
*Glass roof including sunroof and electric sunshade
*And for the gallery: Multimedia entertainment system
For families with children this is an ideal solution.
You can talk a lot, but the car was created not for display, but for driving. The variator in the third Murano is really good: after modernization, it learned to change the gear ratio stepwise, and I must say, it turned out to be an excellent simulator. The impression is that in my hand I have the selector of a classic “automatic”, which, without hesitation, clicks the gears. The car reacts to the gas without hesitation; there is enough traction for intense acceleration, but you can’t call it a hurricane.
The torque rolls in like a “shaft” and the acceleration gradually increases. It turns out that here the engineers managed to combine dynamics with a smooth ride.
While driving, speed is not felt at all, so you need to be more careful, otherwise chain letters cannot be avoided. Murano cannot be called slow, if only because the manufacturer stated that from 0 to hundreds it takes only 8.2 seconds.
Nissan Murano steers excellently, and the suspension works out all the imperfections of the road surface. The suspension is strikingly different from the previous version; the engineers got rid of swaying and pitching when braking. There is nothing fundamentally new: McPherson at the front, multi-link at the rear, but apparently a lot of work has been done on its tuning.
And a little about sound insulation - it only lets in the pleasant growl of the engine. Therefore, a certain atmosphere of comfort reigns in the car. Absolutely everyone will feel like they are driving a premium car.
All-wheel drive All Mode 4×4
Murano has a system all-wheel drive All Mode 4x4, but there are no keys to control it. Here everything is controlled automatically. Such a decision by engineers is quite controversial: on the one hand, it is comfort, everything is done for you, on the other, everything is done FOR you, that is, in a particular case, you yourself will not be able to make any decisions.
Of course, it’s not worth throwing yourself into complete off-road conditions, since ground clearance at 184 mm it’s not at all off-road. But it can handle average road conditions and muddy clay quite well.
Nissan Murano or Volkswagen Touareg: what to choose
At the very beginning, we allowed a comparison of the Murano with its closest competitors, so in terms of length it even makes the Tuareg and is only inferior to the 7 mm Grand Santa Fe. In terms of ground clearance among Korean crossovers, Murano is also a leader, but, of course, it does not reach the off-road clearance of the German.
But to be honest, it is not reasonable to compare the full-size Touareg SUV and the Murano crossover. We would not have done this if the salon had not shared information with us that clients were rushing between these models.
Then we’ll let the Koreans go and focus on the Murano and Tuareg competitions. The models have differences in size: Murano is almost 10 cm longer, Tuareg is 2.5 cm wider, the difference in width is of course arbitrary. As we have already said, in terms of ground clearance the Touareg beats the seasoned ones - its clearance is 17 mm greater!
But, perhaps, the main emphasis should be on fuel consumption. The Touareg is losing ground here: in the city cycle with traffic jams (in tests we don’t turn off the car at all, even if we drive it for 5 hours in one place, it will be running for 5 hours) we got 13 liters of consumption from the Murano, and 8 liters in the countryside.
You will never get such numbers on a Volkswagen, as any SUV owner will tell you. In traffic jams, the Touareg's appetite reaches 18 liters per hundred, the average urban consumption fluctuates in the range of 14-15 liters. The extra-urban cycle will cost 10 liters. Murano is lighter, which is why it accelerates faster and uses fuel more wastefully.
Similar configurations for the Volkswagen Touareg and Nissan Murano will cost from 3,479,000 rubles and 2,959,000 rubles, respectively, this is the price list without taking into account lucrative offers. That is, the difference is as much as 520,000 rubles!
But now the most important point— options such as a sunroof or panoramic roof, seat ventilation, 20-inch wheels and even a tire pressure sensor in VAG’s creation are available only as part of an additional package, but in Murano this is all included in the package, and you have to pay extra for “tasty” ones you won't need the option.
After long test drive The Murano remains a pleasant feeling. These drawn wheel arches, embossed optics and an impressive stern make the exterior look cosmic. The V-Motion design in this particular model was a 5 with three pluses.
In terms of driving performance, the Nissan Murano pleasantly surprised me here too. We understand that we have very roughly compared a crossover with an SUV, but this is only because buyers make a choice between these two models, which are not even classmates. And if you are not going to plunge into the deep end and zealously off-road, then the Murano will be an excellent car for you.
P. S.: And when we looked at the prices for Murano, we saw such a significant advantage - 300,000 rubles - this is a federal benefit. Next, we additionally clarified in the salon whether the indicated price was correct, it turned out that there are advantages from the salon itself, but when purchasing on credit. As a result, the top version of Nissan Murano will cost only 2,325,000 rubles. Show us at least one premium for this money?
Text and photo: Polina Zimina
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Owners Nissan cars The black oval key can be easily identified. However, unlike other models of the brand, there are not three, but four buttons. The new Murano is on trend and therefore has a standard remote engine start. All other buttons have a standard purpose: unlock, lock the doors or activate the electric tailgate.
The arrival of the third generation Nissan Murano in the countries of the post-Soviet space turned out to be as unexpected as it was large-scale: the American “vegetable” was seriously adapted to our conditions, the car passed the expensive certification of the ERA-GLONASS system, and production according to full cycle established at the St. Petersburg plant of Nissan. Do you sense a catch? And he is.
The catch is in the illogicality of the situation. And the illogical thing is that such a large-scale offensive is logical when introducing inexpensive mass models to the market: “Nexia”, “Logan” or “Accents”, in a word, all those cars that will be sold in tens of thousands a month, and people will stand behind them in queues for several months. The inconsistency in our case is obvious: Murano is a rather expensive model and almost a premium one.
However, whether a person will be perplexed or happy about the appearance of a localized Nissan Murano greatly depends on who he is in life (as they say in certain circles): a pessimist, an optimist or a realist. I have been in all these guises alternately and I will tell you that everyone perceives the new Nissan Murano in their own way.
The boomerang headlights and taillights were inspired by the 350Z coupe. By the way, all cars have LED headlights
In expensive versions, the side mirrors are stuffed to the brim with electronics - a turn signal, an all-round camera and an indication of a blind spot monitoring system.
All cars have 235/55 R20 tires, and only the MID version has basic 18-inch wheels (235/65 R18)
The “floating” roof and the “takeoff” of the window sill line are one of the most emotional design elements
The rectangular exhaust pipes look very dynamic...
However, she herself exhaust system severely limits the vehicle's off-road capabilities
Priority design
Nissan is very proud that most of the ideas implemented in the Resonance concept have reached serial version new Murano. The exterior design is based on the V-Motion concept, that is, dynamic lines diverging from the V-shaped radiator grille and penetrating the entire car.
The pessimist begins...
The pessimist in me was the first to awaken, and this happened after it became known that the third generation of the crossover would begin to be produced in full cycle at Nissan plant Manufacturing Rus near St. Petersburg. Well, this car just doesn’t fit into the market! Even in the past, well-fed years, the Murano was a niche model (as marketers and PR people like to say), that is, the popularity of the car was just above the baseboard (as these words are interpreted by the people), and in the current difficult times it is not at all clear what to count on with this model. The sad fate that immediately comes to mind is that it didn’t last long on the assembly line Russian plant and was sent home to mournful music. And against the backdrop of leaving the CIS market and the start of production of the Murano model, it looks pretty strange decision— the Juke/Patrol pair is much more popular, and if anyone is to be returned to the market, it would be hers.
Why Murano and not Juke? Any person knowledgeable about the market has probably asked himself this question. It's simple, the plant in Kamenka is not suitable for the production of "Juka", but "Murano", sharing a platform with Teana models and Pathfinder are another matter
Looking at the Murano with the eyes of a pessimist and feeling it with my own hands, I couldn’t help but notice the voracious power unit (we’re talking about a 3.5-liter engine), the uselessness of the hybrid version (what kind of savings can there be if this is the most expensive version, the price of which is a third higher than the cost initial version), as well as strange savings in small things (the lack of an automatic mode for passenger windows, for example). Then what came into view was not the most spacious interior for such dimensions, the light-colored trim that collected dirt, and the obvious inconsistency aggressive appearance and a powerful engine, on the one hand, and ordinary, if not boring, handling on the other.
The interior has two finishing options: beige leather (“cashmere”) and black (“graphite”). The first one is more elegant, and the second one is more practical.
The steering wheel of the new Murano, like some other cars, is strewn with slippery buttons that are not very convenient to use.
Nevertheless, the logic of their location is simple and clear: multimedia on the left, cruise control on the right
I liked the instrument panel: the main analog dials are simple and clear, and everything you need can be displayed on the 7-inch color display
After about 100 km of driving, you notice that the CVT has manual mode. You ask the question “why?” and you continue to ignore him. The transmission is too good even without it
All Russian Muranos have a push-button engine start, but the car itself does not seem to have any space for the ignition key.
All cars have heated front seats, and only the two most expensive ones have ventilation.
Nissan often surprises with the illogical placement of the on-board computer keys, but on the Murano only the reset button is hidden under the steering wheel. But an electric tailgate is already in the “base”, and a heated steering wheel is available on all versions except the initial one
Nissan Murano was one of the first to receive the ERA-GLONASS system
Calm within
Like its predecessor, the Murano's interior is much calmer than its exterior. Smooth lines and traditional solutions prevail here. The only thing that catches your eye is the armrest between the front seats, which has separate pillows for the driver and passenger, as well as a compartment for the remote control. remote control in the back.
Ultimately, all complaints come down to the question: why is it so expensive, if for the same money I can buy a larger, more spacious and more off-road car? Of course, the pessimist also contributed to the grumbling low level salaries in the country, which, if you can compare it with anything, is with meager sales (in 2014-2015, only 58 crossovers were sold in Kazakhstan). And then I slept, ate, and the pessimist in me gave way to the optimist.
...the optimist continues...
Even if the impracticality of the Nissan Murano is noticeable to the naked eye of a person suffering from myopia, we only live once, and therefore the arguments of an optimist seem much more weighty than the whining of a pessimist. At a time when distributors are rapidly reducing the number of models available for sale, the emergence of Nissan brand such a bright car is akin to a miracle. Even the color palette of this car consists half of non-trivial options: orange, dark blue and gray-brown. For optimists of the highest order, this alone will be enough to make an advance payment and wait with bated breath and stop eating for the Murano to appear in showrooms.
The car really turned out to be interesting, and the similarity of the production car with the Resonance concept car also has practical application in the form of a decent, by crossover standards, drag coefficient of 0.31. To understand: this is the level of such cool cars as the Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0, Lamborghini Murcielago and Ferrari California. Well, let all these cars generate an order of magnitude more downforce. However, you are right, we have played too much here, optimism is good, but it’s time to move on to more mundane things.
During two days of driving in the Kaliningrad region, the ZeroGravity seats did not cause any complaints. Devoid of any hint of sport and having an unrecord number of adjustments, the seats were easily adjusted to fit the body and did not tire on the road. The 7-inch color screen on the instrument panel is also good. Having rummaged through the settings, you can display all the necessary data, including navigation. Yes, like all modern Nissans, navigation system will work on the territory of Kazakhstan. Moderate electrification (mirrors, heated seats and tailgate) has already become the norm, but still evokes positive feelings, and not only among optimists. Small goodies are also good in the form of all-round cameras, remote engine start and a full-size spare wheel on a disk identical to the main wheels.
The front seats are made without any hint of active driving, but are very comfortable and in turns do not make you want to scold overweight Americans
The same applies to the rear seat as to the front seats. Is it just a little more spacious in the back?
All cars have electric adjustments for both seats.
The central tunnel is also interesting because the traction battery is hidden there on the hybrid. On such cars the box between the seats is very tiny.
The climate control unit for rear passengers is almost premium, but rear seat heating is not available on the launch version
Beautiful or non-staining
As you already know, there are exactly two interior design options for the new Murano: light and dark, beautiful or non-staining. Beige leather interior very nice, it’s not for nothing that he is captured in the factory photos. But in Kazakhstan they love black interiors and often bring cars with light interiors only to order.
And even a realist can be trusted to talk about how harmoniously the engine-gearbox pair works, and how the chassis handles Russian roads through 20-inch wheels.
A monitor for each
The top versions of the Nissan Murano, and only such cars were at the driving presentation, flaunt an entertainment complex for second-row passengers. Displays with an HDMI connector and a remote control are mounted in the headrests of the front seats. Taking into account the display on the instrument panel and the multimedia screen, it turns out that everyone in the car has their own monitor. You're not going to pack a full cabin and travel with five people in this car, right?
...and the realist sums it up
After weighing all the pros and cons, and having driven about 200 km, the realist is inclined to side with the optimist and recognize the car as worthy of attention. And the main argument is the integral image of the model. At the beginning of 2015, a rolly and soft-bodied American crossover fell into the hands of Russian engineers, and seven months later a car appeared, perfectly adapted to domestic roads. Even on low-profile tires, the Murano does not resemble a stool with wheels bolted to it, although the suspension still reacts noisily to large irregularities; at such moments its modest movements are acutely felt. The crossover can be a bit harsh at times, but it doesn’t reach the point of hysterical broadcast of all the details of the road into the cabin, so in general the suspension does its job well.
But the sound insulation is good, and especially the tandem of the 3.5-liter engine and the new CVT. At first it seems strange that the only way to spur the car is with the manual mode of the CVT. Despite modern fashion, operating modes power unit not here, but in fact, manual mode is not needed. It's been a while since I've come across a car whose power unit I was happy with right away. Although, perhaps, the whole point is that the new Murano sets you up for a measured ride, and in this mode your expectations are lower. High consumption? Come on, 11.2 liters obtained in a car with a 249-horsepower engine is not so much even for driving mainly on the highway.
The electric tailgate is present in all versions, and it can be activated using keys on the door itself (inside and outside), on the key fob and the driver's seat
If you fold down the rear seatbacks, overall volume The trunk will be 1.6 cubic meters. Also far from a record in the class
The rear seatbacks can be folded by pulling the trunk handle and returned to initial position the electric drive, which is activated by a button, will help
The main feature of the trunk is a full-size spare wheel on a cast disc
On the sides of the main underground there are small niches for small items
Pockets on the sides of the central tunnel look stylish, but in reality they are not very practical
Almost a cross-coupe
Theoretically, the Nissan Murano can be classified as a fashionable class of coupe-crossovers today. You won't be able to load the trunk under the roof here either. Apart from this fact and the modest 454 liters (for a 4.9-meter car) of volume, the trunk is good, and additional amenities are very relevant.
Chips
—"ERA-GLONASS" system
—20" alloy spare wheel
—remote engine start
In general, it seems that the main task of the new Nissan Murano is to relieve the driver’s nerves as much as possible, smoothing out all the corners in the life of the motorist, but at the same time, others should not think that a pensioner is driving, as is the case with Volvo cars. Why do you need the third row, friend? Are you thinking about taking your neighbors along for a picnic? The trunk is small, but in 95% of life situations it will definitely be enough. And if numerous relatives come for the holidays with a brood of children and a dozen suitcases, then in any case they will have to call a taxi, or even more than one. Off-road? Why else is this?! Judging by the lack of any ability to control the transmission, hanging delicately, but completely unviably, under the bottom exhaust system, and other pieces of hardware, the “knead mud” option for this machine was not discussed even during the approval of the project.
Murano is clearly not intended for regular off-road trips, however, the crossover is quite capable of driving in the sand
Despite the fact that the third generation turned out to be a success, the pessimist is put to shame, but we are definitely not threatened with general Muranization. The prices are not the same even for good car. However, there is one option how the Japanese can ruin the market. When calculating Kazakh prices, you just need to turn on the “time machine” mode and first convert rubles into dollars at the current exchange rate, then it turns out that the front-wheel drive Murano costs $38,000, and then calculate the tenge price at the rate of three years ago, when the dollar cost 185 tenge. The resulting total was 7 million tenge (that’s how much simple versions cost now) compact crossovers) will definitely allow for general muranization. But this heresy, alas, has nothing to do with the real state of affairs, and such pricing is as fantastic as it is tempting. We will soon find out what the reality will be; the cost of Murano in Kazakhstan is about to be announced.
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Milestones of history
Nissan Murano first appeared before the general public in April 2002 at the New York Auto Show, where the Japanese presented the production version of the crossover (Z50). Focused primarily on the North American market, the car was based on passenger platform FF-L. There was only one power unit (3.5-liter gasoline V6 with a power of 245 hp and a CVT), but the drive could be either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
2003
2003- Nissan Murano (Z50) first generation
2003- Nissan Murano (Z50) first generation
2008
2008- Nissan Murano (Z51) second generation
2008- Nissan Murano (Z51) second generation
2010- Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet (Z51) second generation
2015
2015- Nissan Murano third generation
2015- Nissan Murano third generation
(Z51) debuted in the fall of 2007 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The concept of the car has not changed, as well as the technology (front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, CVT and the same engine, but increased to 265 hp), but later different versions began to appear. For Europe, Nissan has prepared a car with a 2.5-liter diesel engine (190 hp), at domestic market a version with a 2.5 petrol engine (170 hp) was available, and the most interesting option there was a two-door Murano CrossCabriolet with a soft top, which appeared in 2010.
The third generation of the car was preceded by the Nissan Resonance concept car, presented at the beginning of 2013 in Detroit, and in the spring of 2014 the production version of the third generation Murano (Z52) debuted. According to the concept, again there are no revolutionary changes, but for the first time the car received hybrid version, and the production of the crossover began in the USA, China and Russia. The first production copies were produced in the American Canton in the same year; in the spring of 2015, production of the crossover began at a Chinese plant, and in the early summer of this year, the new Murano entered the assembly line of the Nissan Manufacturing Rus plant in Kamenka near St. Petersburg.
Market today
in Russia - 2,460,000 rubles, or $38,000
Initial Nissan cost Murano in Belarus - 75,147 Belarusian rubles, or $38,400
Classmates
The third generation Nissan Murano found itself in the market between classes. The 4.9-meter length, powerful 6-cylinder engine and price make the car similar to mid-size crossovers. On the other hand, the strictly five-seater interior makes the car a competitor to more compact SUVs, which also often have versions with a V6 engine.
Equipment
The cars presented at the driving presentation were traditionally in the most expensive trim levels Top. In total, four equipment levels are available to buyers: Mid, High, High+ and that same Top. As you can see, entry level Base, Welcome or Comfort are not on the list, and this is not without reason. The Mid package has a very, very decent list of options: full set airbags, rain and light sensors, keyless entry interior and push-button engine start, ZeroGravity leather seats with power and heating, 2-zone climate control, power tailgate, rear view camera, 18-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights. More expensive versions they differ only in the number of heated elements (steering wheel and rear seats), the presence of ventilation of the front seats, the size of the central monitor (8 inches instead of 7), the size of the wheels (20 inches), the number of cameras (4), the presence of electronic assistants, various backlights, seat memory and governing bodies. The only thing that stands out is the Top version, which sports an entertainment system, two monitors in the headrests of the front seats, wireless headphones and a remote control.
ZeroGravity seats
One of the features of the new Nissan Murano that its creators are proud of is its ZeroGravity seats. The essence of the development is to provide the driver and passengers with a posture of minimal fatigue, for which NASA research was used. Work on gravity-free chairs began back in 2005, and in 2013 the development was introduced into mass production on Nissan sedans Altima. The creators claim that such seats provide a 50% reduction in driving fatigue. Whether this is true or not, I can’t say, but the seating position in the new Murano is really comfortable.
Range of engines
For the first time among “white” buyers Nissan crossovers Murano in Kazakhstan has a choice of powertrain: either traditional gasoline engine 3.5, or petrol-electric hybrid. The first option is already well known to us: this is the V-shaped “six” VQ35DE with a volume of 3,498 cc. see with distributed injection and variable valve timing. In Russian specification, the engine develops 249 hp. With. and 325 Nm (to please Russian tax rates, the power is reduced; in North America, the same engine produces 264 hp) and is combined only with a V-chain variator, which has seven virtual gears.
The second option is a tandem of a 2.5-liter QR25DE gasoline engine with a supercharger (234 hp, 330 Nm) and a synchronous electric motor (20 hp, 160 Nm), built into the CVT. All this is complemented by a tiny lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 0.63 kWh, so the total power of the power plant is 354 hp. With. and 368 Nm.
Hybrid for image
Is the motor too power hungry? Want to save money? Then try a hybrid. Well, have you tried it? Did you like it? That's it! It seems to me that this is the most logical explanation of why there is a hybrid version in the model line of this car. In equal conditions, the Hybrid 2.5 CVT version turned out to be about a liter more economical, which is unlikely to justify the almost $6,000 overpayment (perhaps it’s better to buy a fun car with this money and park it in the entrance). No other advantages were noticed. The tiny battery makes it difficult to drive on electric power alone, and as speed increases, the hybrid becomes less responsive than the V6 version. The declared power of the hybrid power plant is 234 hp. s., but some of these horses are not busy accelerating the car. Tax? It is unlikely that the 83,510 tenge difference per year will be an argument for someone who is ready to buy a car for $50,000.
Transmission cases
Only the most affordable version with a 3.5-liter engine is equipped with front-wheel drive; all other cars are all-wheel drive. Moreover, the transmission hybrid crossover identical to the version with a 3.5-liter engine: front-wheel drive with a multi-plate clutch that transmits torque to rear wheels. Unlike its predecessor, the new Murano does not have the ability to influence the operation of all-wheel drive. Key forced blocking The clutch has disappeared from the cabin, so the electronics now decide for themselves when the car is front-wheel drive and when torque is supplied to all four wheels.
About security
In the spring of 2015, the third generation Nissan Murano was tortured by the Insurance Institute of America road safety(IIHS). The crossover received the maximum rating of Top Safety Pick+, and the car perfectly withstood not only standard crash tests, but also an impact with a 25 percent overlap, which is fatal for many cars.
The new Murano's safety concept, called Nissan Safety Shield, includes three levels: monitoring, prevention and protection. All versions of the car produced in Russia are equipped with a set of safety equipment of the “protection” level (7 airbags, seat belt pretensioners, ISOFIX mountings, high-strength steel body parts) and “prevention” (stable stability control system, tire pressure monitoring system, ABS, EBD and TCS). And only the two most expensive versions also have monitoring tools in their arsenal: a cross-traffic warning system, blind spot monitoring, driver fatigue monitoring and the ability to detect moving objects. It is impossible not to note the ERA-GLONASS system, which is also present on this car.
Specifications
Automobile
Engine
Dynamic characteristics
Transmission
Suspension
Dimensions and weight
| Ground clearance, mm | 184 |
| Length/width/height, mm | 4 898/1 915/1 691 |
| Wheelbase, mm |
5 minutes to read. Views 719 Published December 29, 2015
Test Drive new Audi The 2015 Q7 will let us know if it's really as good as some owners say it is.
This year, an important player has appeared in the segment of expensive full-size crossovers - a new generation. Owners of the new generation Audi Q7 cannot say enough praise, we often hear from them positive reviews. We will find out whether this is so from a test drive of the 2015 Audi Q7 crossover.
What's new in the 2015 Audi Q7
It’s worth noting right away that the new generation of the 2015 Audi Q7 in good configuration costs from 5,000,000 rubles. If just a couple of years ago 5 million rubles were an unthinkable ceiling for expensive crossovers like the Porsche Cayenne Turbo, now this money is being asked for what seems to be a family car. full-size crossover Audi Q7. Engineers of the German concern Audi Q7 promised that with the new generation of the Audi Q7 crossover, consumers will receive easy handling, expensive equipment and low fuel consumption. Indeed, the silhouette of the new Audi Q7 increasingly resembles family station wagon With big wheels and raised ground clearance. It is also known that the new modular MLB Evo platform will be the basis for the next generation of Volkswagen Touareg and Porsche Cayenne. It also made it possible to reduce the curb weight of the new generation Audi Q7 by as much as 300 kg compared to the previous generation. It is thanks to this that the Audi Q7 crossover has easy handling. Engineers have ensured that while driving the 2015 Audi Q7, the driver feels like he is inside a passenger sedan.
The new Audi Q7 demonstrates the handling of a passenger car.
How does the 2015 Audi Q7 drive?
Surprisingly, the turbodiesel version of the Audi Q7 crossover weighs less than 2 tons. For a test drive, we came across a petrol version of the Audi Q7 with a three-liter turbo engine producing 333 horsepower. With such an engine, a large crossover accelerates from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 6.0 seconds and has maximum speed, electronically limited, 250 kilometers per hour. Smooth but precise acceleration is aided by an eight-speed automatic transmission. With such a transmission, the driver will receive convincing acceleration, which he will not doubt during any overtaking. Now the question arises: why does a full-size family crossover with a seven-seater interior need such power and such acceleration? Clearly the target audience of this product are married men over 35 years of age.
The engineers of the German concern promised to release an economical crossover. However, with such a three-liter turbo engine, you constantly want to press the accelerator pedal, so in the end average consumption it turns out to be more than 15 liters. Only once were we able to meet the average consumption, which was 11 liters per 100 kilometers. True, this trip was carried out with the Efficiency mode turned on and the accelerator pedal lightly stroking. Yes, to achieve such an average consumption we had to go on the highway and drive on adaptive cruise control. If we look at the factory performance figures for the Audi Q7 crossover, we will see that urban fuel consumption is stated at 9.4 liters per 100 km. In reality, city driving results in a consumption of 18 liters per 100 km. Well, is it really possible to deceive consumers like that? We can say with 95 percent confidence that the diesel version of the second generation Audi Q7 will be popular in Russia. It is worth noting that the turbodiesel version of the 2015 Audi Q7 accelerates from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 6.8 seconds and has a top speed of 225 kilometers per hour. All this is achieved due to the real maximum torque, which is 600 Nm. In addition, this turbodiesel was specially derated for Russia from 272 to 249 horsepower in order to reduce car tax. Well, even such dynamic characteristics of a turbodiesel are sufficient for Russian road conditions.
Ride comfort on the 2015 Audi Q7
When we got behind the wheel of this crossover, it immediately became clear that the second generation of the full-size seven-seat crossover Audi Q7 provides incredible ride comfort. The long wheelbase allows it to stand steadily on the road, and the suspension perfectly absorbs all kinds of bumps and holes on the road. In addition, sound insulation cozy salon the new crossover is at its best. True, the highest quality of comfort when driving the new Audi Q7 crossover is provided only by the optional adaptive air suspension, which has a continuously variable electronic adjustment shock absorber stiffness. This system allows the car to drive comfortably even on 20-inch alloy wheels. On a winding country highway, a large crossover that weighs nearly two tons impressed me with its precise and measured steering.
We tested an expensive crossover package costing 4,845,000 rubles. However, if you think about the idea of a comfortable ride on large crossover, then you don’t necessarily need a panoramic roof and all-round cameras, which become dirty within half an hour after washing, a BOSE sound system and other expensive options. You can purchase the basic version of the Audi Q7 for only 3,630,000 rubles or 46,400 euros at the current exchange rate.
Audi Q7 2015 model year It is better to buy with a turbodiesel engine. It will be much more economical than the gasoline version of the crossover.
The table below shows the technical characteristics of the tested version of the new 2015 Audi Q7 crossover.
“German brake” is what they call the mighty trees planted along Kaliningrad roads. The roads themselves were built before the war and, according to legend, were made tortuous so that convoys of trucks would be difficult to bomb from the air. The quality of the surface is in some places unimportant - waves, holes, potholes, and there are also ancient crushed paving stones. If it weren’t for six months of work on the driving character of the Russian Nissan Murano, he would have had a hard time.
Within the USA new crossover I've been driving it for two years now, but I only got to Russia now - production of the car has started at the Nissan plant near St. Petersburg. The Russian adaptation took a lot of time - the Murano's suspension had to be seriously adapted, and, in addition, the Murano had to be equipped with the mandatory ERA-GLONASS system.
The chassis setup alone took six months. First, the car was tested at the Dmitrovsky proving ground: the Murano in American specification turned out to be too rolly, prone to rocking and looked pale against the background of the Audi Q5 and VW Touareg, chosen by Nissan testers as competitors. From Dmitrov we had to move to the famous Spanish test site IDIADA - problems arose with the import of complex diagnostic equipment to Russia. To test the crossover in Spain, they even recreated a section of a typical Russian road.
Against the backdrop of the red tiled roofs of Kaliningrad, the new Murano looks like a whimsical installation, but as soon as you drive out of the city, the body lines dissolve into the Baltic dunes. The soft front panel with inserts imitating wood silvered by the wind and sun turns into another layer of sand.
Nissan initially chose mid-size crossover for risky design experiments, and it’s not for nothing that this model was named after the fancy Murano glass. But what looked unusual in 2003 is now the norm - the drawing of car bodies is becoming more and more sophisticated. The third-generation Murano with a floating roof and V-shaped headlights repeats the bold Detroit Resonanse concept of 2013, but no longer shocks or causes shock. There is nothing out of the ordinary in it - all crossovers of the Japanese brand, from the popular Qashqai and X-Trail to the mighty Pathfinder, are made in a similar style. Of course, the new Murano Z52 looks bright and unusual, but it is far from the originality of the Juke.
Thick chrome parts added solidity to the appearance of the car, which a potential buyer will no doubt appreciate. In Russia, this crossover is now positioned as a new flagship, ignoring the larger Pathfinder. According to a somewhat strange logic model range Nissan, the first is classified as a crossover, and the second as an SUV, although the difference between the cars, which, by the way, are built on the same platform, is not so radical. In both cases, the connection of the rear axle is controlled by the clutch, but the Pathfinder has a puck for controlling the modes of the all-wheel drive system, and the Murano has even lost the center differential lock key, and in geometric cross-country ability he will probably give in. But it will surpass in everything regarding interior decoration, sound insulation and comfort.
It gives the impression of a more expensive and status car: there is more soft plastic, the materials are of higher quality, the dull silver of the inserts shines with a noble shine. Branded chairs with “zero gravity”, built on the basis of research by the NASA aerospace agency, support, as company representatives say, a comfortable “weightlessness”. On the move, the Murano is extremely quiet, thanks primarily to the fluffy fender liners, and only when high speeds The sound of wind breaks through. For such a “concert hall” Bose audio system with 11 speakers and a subwoofer will come in handy.
The body has increased in length and width, and the huge panoramic roof added visual spaciousness to the cabin, compensating for the reduced height and thick pillars. The wheelbase is the same as its predecessor, because the Z52 has the same platform, only slightly modernized. At the same time, we managed to carve out additional liters of trunk space and centimeters on the second row. With the change of Murano generations, passengers benefited most of all: the notorious “zero gravity” was added to two-stage heated seats and the ability to adjust the backrest tilt, as well as an entertainment system with 8-inch monitors in the headrests, separate HDMI and USB connectors. If you wish, you can watch videos from the tablet and play PlayStation without disturbing the driver at all - there is a pair of wireless headphones for this.
However, the set high technology the new Murano is sparse. The dashboard is the most traditional: Additional Information displayed between real pointer dials. Monitor new multimedia system touchscreen, but the main functions are duplicated by physical buttons. Electronics monitors blind spots, warns possible collisions, including when reversing, but the car does not know how to brake independently. Murano also does not have a parking autopilot - this option cannot be combined with hydraulic power steering.
3.5 liter V6 engine - almost the same as the previous one generation Murano, but now it is slightly inferior in torque (325 Nm versus 334), and develops maximum power at more high speed. The wedge-chain variator was significantly modernized, thanks to which it was possible to achieve lower fuel consumption. In dynamics, the heavier crossover is inferior to its predecessor: 8.2 s versus 8.0 s to 100 km per hour. The tight and short-travel accelerator pedal feels like it works in an on/off mode without an intermediate position - this is how the engineers sought to achieve quick responses. It was only partially successful - the variator still softens the acceleration and is a little late. This is strange, because a metal chain can withstand loads better than a traditional belt, and it should not be guarded so jealously. The sound of the engine reaches passengers as if from afar, which also hides the dynamics of the crossover.
The hybrid version seems more dynamic. When you start, you feel a sharp pickup - this is when the electric motor kicks in, helping the 2.5-liter gasoline four accelerate the car. Reminiscent of turbo engines with the difference that the impulse is short - the capacity of the battery installed under central armrest, only 0.56 kW per hour. According to the “passport”, the hybrid power plant is more powerful than the V6 engine and provides the car with similar dynamics, but long overtaking is more difficult for a gasoline-electric car. To get the help of an electric motor, you need to slow down and store energy in the battery using recuperation. The hybrid is not capable of driving on pure electric power, but the difference in consumption is obvious: 11 liters of gasoline versus 16 for a car with a V6.
Apparently, the test section of the Spanish test site really turned out to be similar to Russian roads. In any case, with new springs and shock absorbers, the Murano, even on 20-inch wheels, smoothly, without shaking, passes broken sections of asphalt, paving stones, speed bumps, but at the same time does not sway at all on the waves. Larger holes respond with noticeable shocks, especially on high speeds. But the Murano doesn't pretend to be an SUV, although the all-wheel drive system can cope with diagonal hanging. It works especially confidently if you turn off the stabilization system. At the same time, the Murano doesn’t have much to do outside of asphalt: the overhangs are large, the ground clearance is only 184 mm, and the exhaust system hangs rather low under the bottom.
Murano drives on asphalt with surprising excitement: you don’t expect this from a large crossover almost five meters long. Hydraulics help the driver as if only half-heartedly; the steering wheel rotates heavily, which is tiring when maneuvering, but when passing sharp turns this is exactly what is needed. Petrol Murano due to more heavy engine it slips slightly to the outside of the turn, and the hybrid has a different weight distribution, so it steers more accurately and rolls less. But the braking is no longer so clear - first the recuperation system slows down the car, and only then the brakes.
In terms of handling, second-row equipment and passenger comfort, the Murano can easily be called a flagship - it is a real road cruiser. But the prices also turned out to be flagship. Despite its registration in St. Petersburg, the crossover has significantly risen in price - the Russian office of Nissan blames the low exchange rate of the ruble and the ruinous certification of the car with the mandatory ERA-GLONASS system. The entrance price tag is now 2,460,000 rubles, 360 thousand more than the car previous generation. Moreover, they ask for that much for a Murano with front-wheel drive, but for a full-wheel drive you will have to pay an additional 120,000 rubles. The equipment of the basic version is not bad: LED headlights, electric seats and tailgate, leather interior, remote engine start. For the most packaged crossover with a rear-row entertainment system and a panoramic roof, they ask for 2,890,000 rubles. And the hybrid is another 375 thousand rubles more expensive.
The new Murano is close in price to the VW Touareg and Audi Q5 - it’s not for nothing that the crossover was tested with an eye on them. But Nissan considers large seven-seaters to be its main competitors. Hyundai crossovers Grand Santa Fe, Kia Sorento Prime, Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander. Moreover, if the last two are more expensive than Murano, then Korean cars are more affordable, primarily due to the presence of diesel versions. And if the lack of a third row of seats and some high-tech options for Russian market uncritically, then without a diesel engine that is in demand in the segment, it will be difficult for a new crossover to break into the class leadership. There is little hope for a hybrid version - it is too expensive. And it’s unlikely that a serious difference in price with a regular gasoline car can be compensated for by lower fuel consumption.
Photo: Nissan
