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2013 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet Press Kit: Overview

08/06/2012

Nissan

When the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet was first introduced in spring 2011, it broke new ground as the world's first all-wheel drive crossover convertible. Now in its third model year, the 2013 model again stands alone - blending all of the things people love in a crossover with the open air enjoyment of a convertible. For the new model year the Murano CrossCabriolet adds two new exterior colors, Midnight Garnet and Gun Metallic, and a revised 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheel design.

"The Murano CrossCabriolet's extraordinarily engineered, fully automatic cloth convertible top folds to about the size of a 2-seat roadster top, providing ample room for four adults and plenty of cargo space with the top up or down," said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. "And, with standard all-wheel drive and a host of luxury features, it's a vehicle that can be enjoyed every day of the year, in any weather - not just when the sun is out."

Murano CrossCabriolet Design Concept

The Murano CrossCabriolet is designed to overcome the traditional functional limitations of a convertible - limited trunk space, a cramped back seat or none at all and a lack of flexibility for everyday life. It overcomes all of these obstacles, combining elegant design and state-of-the-art engineering. One of the priorities in the convertible top design was the retention of the traditional Murano silhouette with the top up and a luxurious, sophisticated appearance with the top down.

The transformation of the Murano body from Crossover to CrossCabriolet and from 4-door to 2-door meant more than just removing the top. Along with creating new front doors (7.9 inches longer than 4-door Murano front doors) and eliminating the B-pillars, the structure has been reinforced from the A-pillar rearward. The cloth convertible top also includes a rear glass skylight, helping create the feeling of a wide-open interior environment even with the top in the closed position.

Dual Pop-up Roll Bars are also standard. The coefficient of drag remains close to that of the fixed roof Murano, just 0.39 Cd versus 0.37 Cd for the fixed roof design.

One of the keys to the CrossCabriolet design's efficiency is the convertible top's exceptionally compact size when stowed, which allows both additional interior and cargo volume (normally taken up by a traditional convertible stowage design). The hydraulically operated top mechanism includes an automatic power latch/unlatch system. Operation switches are located on the center console and driver's door handle. With the top down, the stowed size is similar to that of a conventional 2-seat roadster. Trunk capacity with the top down is 7.6 cubic feet, enough to fit two golf bags or two carry-on suitcases. With the top closed, cargo capacity expands to 12.3 cubic feet.

Along with the unique convertible top appearance, the Murano CrossCabriolet exterior also includes High Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-functional xenon projector headlights with auto on/off function, front fog lights and Nissan 370Z-inspired LED taillights. Other features include body-colored front and rear bumpers, chrome door handles, body-colored dual power/heated outside mirrors, and rear window defroster with timer. Along with convertible style, the CrossCabriolet offers the high ground clearance of a Murano for easy ingress and egress.

Four exterior colors are available for 2013: Super Black, Pearl White and new Midnight Garnet and Gun Metallic.

A Highly Rewarding Interior

The luxurious Murano CrossCabriolet interior starts with a foundation of the top-of-the-line Murano LE and takes it to the next level of standard features and convenience items. The tall windshield and A-pillar design combines with the body's high beltline and high rear seat shoulders to help reduce conventional interior air turbulence with the top down, allowing conversation between occupants.

Premium materials are used throughout the interior, with the standard diagonally quilted leather-appointed seats available in premium double-stitched leather appointments for added elegance.

The interior's curving, sculpted lines, half-matte chromed trim finish and unique wood-tone trim, tuned to match each of three available interior colors, add an additional rich, quality feel. Interior colors include Black, Cashmere (light brown) and Camel (brown).

The Murano CrossCabriolet comes fully equipped, with a long list of standard features including 8-way power heated driver's seat with power lumbar support, 4-way manual heated front passenger seat with easy entry function, heated steering wheel, 2-position driver's seat memory system for seat, steering wheel and outside mirrors, passenger seat easy entry release button on instrument panel for driver access, driver and front passenger seatback pocket, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and Nissan Intelligent Key(R) with Push Button Ignition.

Every 2013 Murano CrossCabriolet is also available with standard Bluetooth(R) Hands-free Phone System, HomeLink(R) Universal Transceiver and RearView Monitor. An advanced Nissan Hard-Drive Navigation System with NavTraffic Real-Time Traffic Information (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately), Bluetooth(R) Streaming Audio, Voice Recognition and 7-inch VGA touch screen is optionally available.

Open-air road tunes are provided by a Bose(R) AM/FM/CD audio system with eight speakers including subwoofer, automatic audio adjustment for soft-top up/down position, integrated Interface System for iPod(R), speed-sensitive volume control and auxiliary audio input jack. SiriusXM Satellite Radio (SiriusXM subscription requires, sold separately) is also standard.

Under the Skin: Pure Murano

The Murano CrossCabriolet's drivetrain is shared with the all-wheel drive hardtop Murano, starting with the proven "D" platform (also utilized on Maxima and Altima sedans) and standard 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC V6 producing 265 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque. The engine design includes the Nissan variable Induction Control System (NICS), twin knock sensors, low exhaust pressure, a 10.3:1 compression ratio and 6,600 rpm redline. Fuel economy is rated at 17 mpg City/22 mpg Highway.

The engine is mated to a standard second-generation Xtronic CVT(R) with Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) for sporty response and smoothness, which utilizes an advanced, sport-tuned controller with adaptive logic for driving comfort or driving performance as conditions require. The advanced all-wheel drive system uses information from yaw sensors, wheel slip sensors and steering angle sensors to distribute torque according to driving conditions.

The Murano CrossCabriolet's lightweight 4-wheel independent suspension features MacPherson struts in front, a multi-link rear design, cradle-type front subframe and front and rear stabilizer bars. Also utilized are dual-flow path shock absorbers for responsiveness and reduced ride harshness.

Steering is provided by a twin-orifice vehicle-speed-sensitive power-assisted steering system, while the braking system includes 4-wheel vented disc brakes with Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Brake Assist and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD). Every CrossCabriolet comes with 20-inch split 5-spoke titanium finish aluminum-alloy wheels - revised for the 2013 model year - and 235/55R20 Toyo Proxes A20 all-season tires.

Standard Murano CrossCabriolet safety features include the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt sensors and an occupant classification sensor, front seat side-impact supplemental air bags, and door-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags with rollover sensor, along with front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters, Zone Body Construction with front and rear crumple zones. Other standard equipment includes front seat Active Head Restraints, Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Traction Control System (TCS) and Dual Pop-up Roll Bars for rear passengers.

One Fully Equipped All-Wheel Drive Model

The 2013 Murano CrossCabriolet is offered in one fully equipped model. Along with the many items previously mentioned, standard features include power front windows with one-touch up/down and auto-reverse feature, Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control and a 7-inch color display for audio, climate control, fuel economy, maintenance and comfort and convenience systems.

Also included are highly functional storage systems, including a two-tier center console storage box with fold-out function, cell phone holder, dual seatback pockets, Fine Vision gauges and driver instrumentation with white backlighting, illuminated steering wheel controls, auto door lock feature, four cupholders, power tilting and telescoping steering column, auto-dimming rearview mirror, cruise control with illuminated steering wheel mounted switches, front door map pockets, and Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) system.

Two options are available with specific exterior colors - a Camel interior with upgraded leather and the black top, and the Brown top/Cashmere interior combination (with upgraded leather). In addition, the Nissan Navigation System is offered as a standalone option.