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Nissan Murano Gallery
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Named after an expensive brand of Venetian glassware, the Murano is Nissan's answer to the Lexus RX300, BMW X5, Volkswagen Touareg and so on. Nissan sees it as being a 'crossover' vehicle rather than an out-and-out 4x4, combining the attributes of an off-roader, an MPV and a large, comfortable family saloon. It follows a similar theme to the Mitsubishi Outlander (though the Murano is considerably larger, more powerful and more expensive) and the upcoming Subaru B9X/Saab 9-6X.
Available with just one petrol engine, the 3.5-litre V6 (234bhp) also fitted in the 350Z coupe, the Murano is a very different proposition to Nissan's other large 4x4s, the workhorse Terrano and Patrol or the luxury-utility Pathfinder, a Land Rover Discovery rival. Nissan is quite realistic that it's going to appeal to urban and suburban families who want a striking-looking, high-riding holdall, not farmers and hardcore country types. It features a four-wheel drive system similar to that of the smaller X-Trail, with front-wheel drive only in normal driving conditions and torque sent to the rear axle if a loss in traction is detected. That's about as much off-roading ability as the Murano is ever likely to need.
Coming with a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) auto gearbox only, UK Muranos are fully equipped with sat-nav, leather upholstery, a Bose sound system and all mod cons - the only options available are the paint colours. The price all-in is £29,800.
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