Autoblog

Nissan drops price on Murano CrossCabriolet... sort of

Dan Roth — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Crossover, Nissan

There's nothing else on the road like the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet, though that exclusivity is both a strength and a weakness. On the one hand, Nissan's willingness to put a distinctive, unique product out for sale means it's more likely to come up in conversation. The problem with a limited-production niche model, luxurious and individualistic as it may be, is actually getting people to purchase it. Roll in the devastating earthquake that struck Japan in May when Nissan was in the earliest days of Murano CrossCabriolet production, and you wind up with a supply shortage that coincides with a vehicle launch - a bad problem to have.

Murano sales are down, and even though CrossCabriolet sales aren't broken out from the rest of the line, we suspect the model hasn't caught fire in the marketplace to the degree Nissan wants it to. A price drop from $46,390 to $44,540 for 2012 Murano CrossCabriolet models will help sweeten the deal for buyers seeking a two-door four-place crossover vehicle with a power-folding top and plenty of luxury accoutrements, but the price change isn't necessarily what it seems. Navigation moves from standard equipment to an available stand-alone option, suggesting that the $1,850 price dip is the result of decontenting. That said, as it's based on the top-trim Murano LE, there's not much for CrossCabriolet buyers to want for (although if they were yearning for Pearl White paint, that's a new addition for 2012). Chart the changes for the entire Murano range in the official Nissan press release after the jump.

Continue reading Nissan drops price on Murano CrossCabriolet... sort of

Nissan drops price on Murano CrossCabriolet... sort of originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet

Chris Paukert — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Crossover, Nissan, First Drives, Design/Style

Boldly Going Where No Crossover Has Gone Before

2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet - Click above for high-res image gallery

We should have known better, but we just couldn't bring ourselves to believe the rumors. For over two years now, we've heard whispers of Nissan's plan to introduce a convertible version of its Murano crossover, but the idea seemed so far-fetched that we just couldn't wrap our gray matter around it. We managed to fall sleep at night by dismissing the notion as yet another silly bit of industry rumor-mongering, the sort of fodder serially dished out by British auto weeklies that splash absurd future product predictions on their covers (generally accompanied by fanciful artist's renderings) to sell more paper at the newsstand.

We doubted it, but we should have known better. Nissan has shown real design bravery lately, as well as an unquenchable desire to fill any and all white space in its portfolio. Remember, it was Nissan's product planners who conceived of a car designed exclusively with a T-square, throwing in a bit of asymmetrical glass and a patch of fake grass atop the dashboard - just in case anyone thought the resulting box was too boring. The automaker then announced that it was making a big bet on a brilliant but funny-looking $33,000 five-door only capable of driving 100 miles before having to have its e-umbilical cord reattached. It followed this up with a tiny yet oddly lovable space-age hatchback-crossovery thing wearing a Kabuki mask. In retrospect, we shouldn't be questioning Nissan's wisdom in lopping the top off its mid-size crossover to create a ragtop - we should be wondering what's taken it so long.

As we stand around looking at the CrossCabriolet at its sun-drenched San Diego launch, we can't help but be confounded. By all rights, the CrossCabriolet ought to look like a SEMA refugee. You know the type: four doors, shadetree roofectomy by Sawzall, a frumpy and ill-fitting top and a targa bar straddling the passenger compartment to keep the whole thing from collapsing in on itself. Amazingly, in person, the Murano convertible doesn't look anything like this. Nissan has clearly expended a surprisingly large amount of styling and engineering resources on the project, and the resulting vehicle looks more cohesive than it has any right to.

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet...

Gallery: 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet: First Drive

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet

First Drive: 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan confirms blockbuster LA Show including Murano CrossCabriolet and Ellure concept

Zach Bowman — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Convertible, Crossover, Infiniti, Nissan

Nissan has officially confirmed reports that it will, in fact, be storming the LA Auto Show with a host of new vehicles. A total of three new models will be on hand, including the much talked-about 2011 Nissan Murano convertible (or "CrossCabriolet" in marketing-speak) and the debut of the production version of the all-electric Leaf. The third model is something more of a mystery. So far, all Nissan is saying is that it's a new sedan concept that sails under the Ellure banner. We're guessing some sort of EV hijinks are involved with that one.

Infiniti will also show off a raft of new metal, including the 2012 M Hybrid. Additionally, visitors to the LA show can expect to get their first in-person glimpses of the 2011 G25 Sedan and the IPL G Coupe. The 2010 LA Auto Show gets rolling on November 19 and runs through the 28th.

[Source: Nissan | Image: Inside Line]

Nissan confirms blockbuster LA Show including Murano CrossCabriolet and Ellure concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Forthcoming Nissan Murano convertible to be a two-door soft-top

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Convertible, Crossover, Nissan

Nissan had the guts to bring us the bizarrely styled Juke, which is getting some solid press for its performance, and now it's apparently set to follow that up with a convertible version of the Nissan Murano. Apparently getting ready for its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Nissan gave dealers a preview of the two-door, cloth-topped crossover and the reaction of one was, "kind of unusual." You don't say. The Murano droptop has been widely rumored for ages now, but it was never known whether the crossover would maintain the four-door arrangement of the hardtop. It appears that in the roofectomy process, Nissan will remove two doors, which leaves us thinking that the finished product might look something like a mutant Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible. Hopefully the basket-handle brace in the rendering at right won't be a structural necessity.

Speaking of the oft-rumored vehicle that few thought would come true, Nissan's VP of sales and marketing stated "there's a degree of bravery for us to bring out a car like that right now." The company isn't predicting sales volume numbers for this genre-busting crossover, but the hardtop Murano continues to be a solid seller for the Japanese brand. We wouldn't be at all surprised to find quite a few of them in beach cities wearing rental company plates. If you like what you see when it is revealed, the sale date is penciled in for sometime in 2011.

[Sources: Automotive News - sub. req. | Image: InsideLine]

Report: Forthcoming Nissan Murano convertible to be a two-door soft-top originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oft-rumored Nissan Murano convertible tipped to debut at LA Auto Show

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Convertible, Crossover, Nissan, Rumormill

As much as we were hoping that it was nothing more than an elaborate internet hoax by a talented Photoshopper, we're getting closer and closer to slotting this one away in the Silly But Apparently True file. According to Inside Line, the oft-rumored Nissan Murano convertible is indeed coming to an auto show near you, starting late this year at the LA Auto Show.

Yes, we're serious. No, we're not sure we get it either.

If there's any truth to this rumor, we can expect the droptop crossover to hit the market as a 2012 model equipped with the same 3.5-liter V6 engine and continuously variable automatic transmission as the standard-issue Murano. The switchover to convertible status will reportedly include the removal of the rear doors and may even come with a Chrysler PT Cruiser-esque hoop that's ostensibly there to boost rigidity and act as some sort of roll bar in the unlikely event of a tipover. We're sure it'll be just the thing for unstable homecoming queens come parade duty.

Gluttons for punishment are free to see the complete retina-roasting rendering here at Inside Line. Hey, don't blame us... we warned you.

[Source: Inside Line]

Oft-rumored Nissan Murano convertible tipped to debut at LA Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: Nissan making Murano convertible for 2010

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 10:27:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Crossover, Nissan, Rendered Speculation

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]

Rendered Speculation: Nissan making Murano convertible for 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Aug 2008 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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