Test drive Nissan Murano 2003 - 2007 SUV

Life concept

Nissan again gave a ticket to the life of conceptual design. It seems that this becomes a branded custom Primera, Micra, now here is murano ...


We will talk about the new SUV-PARKENT, or Crossover. This is exactly what the machines of this class in the United States are now called, and it was there that the new all-wheel drive Nissan was represented at the Motor Show in New York last year (Motor #5, 2002). Not surprising, it was for the American Murano market that was created for those who have already outgrown X-Trail and want to have something more prestigious than Pathfinder.


Soon after the start of sales of Murano, the ocean, already in the winter of this year, the car appeared in Moscow car dealerships. True, not in all officially Murano to Russia, as in Europe, is not supplied. Nevertheless, it is such a popularity that it was possible to get the car only now.


Most manufacturers launch their concepts in production in a simplified, average form. But Murano ... Indeed, not many are resolved on this. A predatory, squat and dynamic image. Large wheels, short overhangs, a litter windshield, a lifted window sill, a falling hood, a transparent optics. Strongly. It is clear what the people are being on. Our Murano turned out to be black, the color is somewhat concealing the plastic of the body.


Murano is especially good in silver or brick metallics. A large chrome radiator grille of tribute to America, there is no way there. Similarly, Micra, the design is original, and has nothing to do with other models of the company. Although, according to the ideology of murano molding, a similar combination of patterning surfaces and sharp faces is close to Primera. And in the back there is a family resemblance to 350z, just look at lighting equipment. I must say, a close relative of the Murano Infiniti FX35, built on the same platform, is very good.


Inside is also full of conceptuality. Large, almost flat surfaces with slightly rounded ribs. There are two colors and two materials in the interior: black plastic and skin with individual elements for aluminum. And no tree. Pure Hi-Tech.


Outside, Murano does not make a big impression. But there is enough space in the cabin. Including, thanks to the deep front panel, the glass is very far away, like in a mini-wen, so it turned out a huge shelf with non-accidental recesses and crossbars. The dashboard is highlighted in a separate element, which is emphasized by metallized plastic. It is small, but contains three main wells of the tachometer, a speedometer and fuel level with an engine temperature. In the center, a multifunctional color display, slightly lower than the head device of the audio system with a six-disc chainger and a separate climate control control unit. All this is easily available. The main governing bodies in logical places.


The seat has a standard set of electrical regulations, the steering wheel is set manually and only in height. But the pedal node by means of an electric drive is moved in the longitudinal direction by 80 mm. All installations can be scored in memory. And when the ignition is turned off, the seat will helpfully move back for the convenience of exit.


The sightseeing is excellent, even in the direction of back, despite the massive rear racks. A fairly large hatch is equipped with a discrete control button, that is, there is no need to hold it, waiting for the opening to reach the right size.


There is also enough space behind. And in height, and in width, and legs are free. The backs are adjusted along the angle of inclination. So the three of them are quite comfortable there. There is a sub-nickname and cup holders. The air ducts are missing only on the central console. The trunk is quite large 923 liters. Under the floor, the full -size reserve also fit.


In general, the salon turned out to be much volume than expected. Everything is very well fitted, good materials, a soft front panel, pleasant in appearance and touch skin. True, a hard door sheat was a little rustic as it was on Primera.


The Murano platform was borrowed from Nissan Altima, last year's car of the year in the United States. As a power plant, only a 3.5-liter 243-horsepower V6 is offered, the same as on Altima and Maxima models (installed transversely). The transmission is new -fashioned: a stranded variator, which is rare for large engines, and SUVs are generally too large loads. But Nissan has its own opinion on this score, it has been densely engaged in the variators for thirty years. However, the novelty is not pedaling the company believes that the ordinary driver of the difference between CVT and the usual well -configured automatic machine will not notice, but meanwhile, the variator is cheaper in production and also increases the efficiency of the machine.


The drive is full, but not constant. The front axle is dominant, the back is connected when it slipped. (For America, a version with a monotive on the front wheels is proposed, but customers will not understand it.) There is a rigid electronic blocking of bridges, which automatically turns off when 30 km/h reaches, as well as reducing the variator mode. Everything seems to be an adult way.


Noise insulation excellent on the idle engine is not heard at all. Acceleration is even and assertive. Maybe even too flat thanks to the variator. But there is no automatic thought, and you can confidently slow down with the engine. The sports regime brings the necessary note. The engine goes to higher speeds, so more fun. The almost two-ton Murano gets to the hundreds of seconds in eight and confidently accelerates to 180-190 km/h. Still fixed pseudo-transmission would not have prevented, as on Primera, this would make a connection of the engine with the wheels more intelligible for the driver. However, the list of options is provided.


We got a version of SE, that is, sports. Yes, this is noticeable. The suspension is hard. Murano keeps the way well, especially if it is good, on the bumps it is a little scribbled to steal, and the steering wheel is very sharp and with slurred zero. It is better to lose speed. This is not a revelation for large SUVs, it is difficult for them to go quickly and the center of gravity is high, and the tires have a decent departure. Low -profile tires would have corrected the situation a little, the benefit of this good is now in abundance of BMW X5, by the way, it is not just on the twenties of discs. However, Murano spells the turns with dignity, without excessive rolls and delay.


There are no complaints about the brakes. Reliable slowdown, delicate abs. When braking into the floor, albeit at speeds for a hundred Murano retains stability.


Thanks to good sound insulation, even at high speeds, the background does not press, you can calmly talk. Aerodynamics are verified, nothing whistles and does not buzz, including with an open hatch. But the salon loves to talk, especially the slightly fixed trunk curtain.

We did not move off the roads, did not climb the ears in the mud. Not for that murano exists. But along the country with a tractor track and large puddles, they rolled over enough. We tried both the intericons differential blocking, and everything is reducing the mode and everything works. In winter, it may turn out to be not celebrated ...


A good car. Right. It steer well, rides with dignity. But still, the main trump card of Murano on the market is an outstanding conceptual appearance. Most buyers peck at it. Nissan has not lost here again.
 
Sergey Yakubov
 

A source: Motor magazine [July 2003]