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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Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet named Most Disliked Car of 2011 [w/poll]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Crossover, Nissan

Is there an automobile roaming our nation's roads that you love to hate? Certainly, those with a love for high-octane gasoline and low quarter mile times tend to bitch and moan about the proliferation of hybrids like the Toyota Prius. On the flipside, those with a mind toward fuel efficiency (ie, Prius drivers...) direct their ire toward fuel-sucking supercars and needlessly large SUVs.

According to Fortune, though, there's one vehicle in 2011 that's universally hated more than all others: the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet. The money-centric source cites numerous reviews from well-known journalists to prove its point... such as this gem from Dan Neil: "The Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet is like a sorbet of mouse scat."

Ick. We sampled the CrossCab ourselves out in the sunny climes of California, and you can read all about our own experiences with the $47,000 convertible crossover right here. In a nutshell, we don't hate the CrossCab with the apparent fervor of some reviewers, but we do question whether it was wise for Nissan to invest so much into a vehicle that couldn't possibly sell in large numbers. Plus, it's certainly a bit of an ugly duckling, no?

That said, we're interested in your view. Is the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet your most disliked car of 2011?

View Poll

Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet named Most Disliked Car of 2011 [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Nissan of Canada takes a pass on Murano CrossCabriolet

Chris Shunk — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Crossover, Nissan, Canada

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

We're really curious as to whether or not the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet has what it takes to succeed in the U.S. market. If our friends to the north are any indication, it won't be such a big hit, especially in regions that receive snow and ice.

The Globe and Mail reports that Nissan Canada isn't interested in selling the funky crossover/convertible, preferring instead to sit back and gauge the vehicle's U.S. launch before committing to anything. Ian Forsyth, Nissan Canada director of planning and strategy, told the newspaper that they "continue to assess the opportunity and success in the U.S. market to see if there is evidence to support a change in our position."

The top of the Canada sales chart is typically filled with economy cars like the Mazda3 and trucks like the Ford F-150, so we can see why a country with six months of snow can do without the CrossCabriolet. Still, since we Americans are all too used to being overlooked for vehicles that are offered in Europe, we know some of our Canadian friends won't be too happy to hear this.

Gallery: 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet: First Drive

Photos copyright (C)2011 Chris Paukert / AOL

[Source: Globe and Mail]

Report: Nissan of Canada takes a pass on Murano CrossCabriolet originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:31:00 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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LA 2010: Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet debuts with $46,390 price tag

Zach Bowman — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 14:58:00 EST

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

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

Say what you will about cutting the roof off of a crossover. We're growing a CUV-sized soft spot for the 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet. It's not that the vehicle is going to be snagging a design award any time soon - far from it. But there's something to be said for a company hitching up its britches and doing something completely off the wall.

And this, kids, is the definition of off the wall.

VIEW ALL OF THE VEHICLES THAT DEBUTED AT THE 2010 LA AUTO SHOW

The five-seater convertible market in the U.S. is all but non-existent at the moment, leaving successful real estate agents across the country with nowhere to spend their hard-earned money. Fortunately, Nissan is at the 2010 LA Auto Show to answer the call with this machine. While we're a little sad to see that the CrossCabriolet isn't a four-door convertible as we'd hoped, we'll take the craziness where we can get it. Along with showing its crazy drop top for the first time in LA today, Nissan also announced its base price: $46,390. If you thought it was ugly before, that probably didn't help. Follow the jump for Nissan's official press release.

Gallery: LA 2010: Nissan Murano Crosscabriolet

Gallery: 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet

Continue reading LA 2010: Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet debuts with $46,390 price tag

LA 2010: Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet debuts with $46,390 price tag originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 14:58:00 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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