Rendered Speculation: Nissan making Murano convertible for 2010
Try as we might, we could not find the punchline to this bit of news, so we're going to run with it. Nissan is creating a Murano convertible, supposedly for empty nesters who want a side dish of top down to go with space for the kids and grandkids. Should such a thing occur, it will be searing your retinas as of 2010.Nothing is slated to change on the car except the use of a soft-top convertible, even less trunk space, and most likely, the price. To see the rendering, if Nissan simply took the top off, the car might be a little bulbous but acceptable. If Nissan were to use a rollhoop, however... that means they're making a PT Cruiser with a higher seating position. And, as far as we're concerned, that just ain't cool... Thanks for the tip, Cory!
[Source: Inside Line]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mike K 10:33AM (8/13/2008)
You know as odd as it looks I have to welcome something different.
Sure those pictures sort of make it look like a PT Cruiser, but maybe they can pull it off. The article points out that the only other four door convertible is the Wrangler Unlimited. Maybe there's room in the market for something like this.
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TJ 11:11AM (8/13/2008)
Could it be a sliding fabric roof ala Liberty or H3?
Kotse 12:48PM (8/13/2008)
Here's a rendered sideview pic with the top on:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/SKLuPe7J0vI/AAAAAAAA1mo/T45Tkk8ixpE/s1600-h/NISSAN_CARSCOOP_MURANO.jpg
Can you say..."chop top"!
Torrent 4:00PM (8/13/2008)
This is what the world has come to?
ronzo 10:34AM (8/13/2008)
The render looks like the PT Bathtub Convertible.
yuk...
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MemphisNET 10:35AM (8/13/2008)
They'd only do this if they knew they could sell it.
Hopefully that means its not real :D
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DKB_SATX 10:37AM (8/13/2008)
While it doesn't appeal to me personally (the whole crossover thing strikes me as too-tall wagons with compromised handling) the Murano is not a bad vehicle. One my my best friends has a 1st-gen one, and if HE can't kill it, it's a tough sucker. It averages 19+ under his lead foot and he's only had very minor issues with it in 100k miles.
That said, this is a ridiculous pile of crap. It's ill-proportioned for a convertible, the top would have to be huge, and convertibles make somewhat poor everyday cars for most people (the more it's outside, the shorter the life of the top, etc.) I realize it's just speculation, but I think someone was drunk or high (or both!) when they cooked up the idea in the first place.
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Tony 10:38AM (8/13/2008)
I sure in heck hope this is someones idea of a joke. Early/Late April Fools?
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Gstill 10:43AM (8/13/2008)
Yeah, the PT Cruiser basket handle isn't one of the great innovations in design.
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LeftTurn 10:42AM (8/13/2008)
Nissan sorely needs a third row crossover. I can't believe they would be spending their time creating this ridiculous piece of crap. I own a first gen Murano and love it, but this makes me think Nissan has gone crazy.
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Coolthough 4:35PM (8/13/2008)
Precisely. Which is exactly why I can't imagine this report is accurate. I'm willing to put money down right now that this will never see fruition.
Dave 10:50AM (8/13/2008)
The boys at Top Gear did this a few seasons ago with a Renault. Didn't work out to well then.
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jgp 10:49AM (8/13/2008)
*throws up a little*
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Steve_S 10:50AM (8/13/2008)
Seem like a really early April Fools joke.
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gotsmart 10:54AM (8/13/2008)
I can't see them chopping the entire roof off. This makes no sense at all.
My guess is that it will be a fully-retractable canvas roof, leaving the roof rails, door frames and hatch intact, as opposed to a full drop-top, which would require significant re-engineering of the vehicle.
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Crackberry Addict 11:00AM (8/13/2008)
like the jeep liberty's freedom top.
Kotse 12:10PM (8/13/2008)
With the demise of the SUV in the eyes of the driving public, Nissan is apparently finding new ways to sell the Murano...as a soft top, an awful idea.
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Alex 10:57AM (8/13/2008)
this thing is going to look all kinds of bad. Top up it'll look like a king sized bed sheet was thrown over it, and your C pillar is going to be this massive sheet of canvas. Top down it looks like a Japanese PT Cruiser. Every single convertable that has needed the basket handle has been a flop.
Why Nissan? Why? You were doing so well with your new ideas.
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Kowell 10:58AM (8/13/2008)
Does the Nissan-Chrysler joint venture mean the guy behind the PT Cruiser got to design this horrible piece of crap?
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Avinash machado 11:15AM (8/13/2008)
No that guy joined GM some years ago.