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Nissan
2005 Nissan Murano Crossover SUV Continues to Make Bold Statement
The 2005 Nissan Murano sport utility vehicle continues to bring Nissan’s reputation for innovative design and advanced technology to the crossover SUV segment. Murano comes with a standard 245 horsepower 3.5-liter DOHC V6 mated to Nissan’s Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), a combination that provides responsive acceleration, quiet efficient operation and virtually eliminates traditional shift shock. Other performance features include 4-wheel independent suspension for a smooth, comfortable ride and available all-wheel drive system. A front-wheel drive model is also offered.
For 2005, Murano adds a new base S model in 2WD and AWD, standard rollover sensing on the curtain air bag system, and a new Convenience Package (S model only). Additionally, two previously available option packages receive upgrades in 2005. The SL and SE Touring Packages now feature Intelligent Key and pre-wiring for the Nissan Mobile Entertainment System. The 2005 Murano is also available in three all-new exterior colors – Merlot, Chardonnay and Platinum.
Developed, designed and engineered specifically for the North American market, Murano was conceived as an exciting alternative to the growing number of look-alike crossover SUVs in the market. Murano combines the uncompromising functional aspects of a true SUV with the ride comfort of a sport sedan in a highly refined, well-equipped package.
Key Murano differentiators include its sculpted exterior and interior styling, responsive acceleration and handling, high perceived safety and security, comfort that pampers the driver and passengers and advanced technology features that are easy to use.
“When Murano debuted, it truly set the mark in terms of its combination of outstanding performance and unique styling,” said Mark McNabb, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division. “The enhancements for 2005 make it even more attractive to a wide range of buyers.”
Distinctive Appearance
The Nissan Murano’s unique, modern design is made possible, in part, by the use of Nissan’s advanced FF-L (front engine, front-drive) platform, which it shares elements with the popular Maxima. The FF-L platform pushes the wheels out to the corners, allowing a long wheelbase and wide stance within a manageable overall length. Along with the platform’s inherent handling and performance advantages, it allows greater packaging and styling flexibility.
The exterior, guided by a “sculpture in motion” theme, offers a wraparound surface construction, an architectural front grille and a sporty upswept shaped D-pillar that blends with the rounded rear cargo door to project a very three-dimensional feel. It features “SUV strength” below the beltline and sport sedan-like openness above.
Murano’s lightweight rear cargo door, constructed from composite plastics reinforced by steel, is not only easy to open and close but further enhances the Nissan Murano’s sculpted appearance. The design also features vertical stack headlights with available xenon bulbs. Standard 18-inch wheels and tires contribute to the contemporary, high quality exterior appearance.
Murano is offered in a choice of eight dynamic exterior colors. The three new colors (Merlot, Chardonnay and Platinum), as well as Sunlit Copper, Glacier Pearl, Sheer Silver, Super Black and Midnight Blue.
Thoughtful, Welcoming Interior
As a reflection of the active lifestyles of the target Nissan Murano buyers, the interior has been designed to provide an abundance of storage and cargo capacity, “first class seating” for two couples (but can comfortably fit five passengers), and ample, flexible luggage space.
The interior, highly integrated with the exterior styling, reflects Murano’s clean, dynamic overall design. The seats are specially designed to provide ample roominess and comfort. The driver’s seat offers a wide range of adjustability with a standard 4-way power driver’s seat (10-way power on SE and SL) including power lumbar along with power adjustable throttle and brake pedals and a tilt steering wheel.
The split fold-down rear seat includes a reclining feature and a remote flip-down function, so the seats can be released from the rear cargo area. Other interior amenities include standard dual zone climate controls and rear air conditioning vents located on the B-pillars.
The instrument panel includes real aluminum trim, an available 225-watt Bose® audio system with 7 speakers and a standard information monitor, with HVAC, audio, trip control and navigation system (optional) controls integrated into its one-piece “floating” design and satellite radio pre-wiring is standard (satellite radio reception available when properly equipped with antenna and receiver and service activated). Additionally, the Nissan Mobile Entertainment System is available.
The combination of long wheelbase, wide stance and compact rear multi-link suspension design helps create a rear cargo area that offers exceptional room and utility. The Nissan Murano’s highly functional storage systems include a two-tiered lockable center console storage box with room to hold a laptop computer or purse and door pockets with fold-out function. Additional storage areas include a tray and two bins under the cargo floor and spaces in the center console for cell phones, sunglasses, coins, cups and bottles.
The Murano interior is offered in a selection of three colors: Charcoal and Café Latte in a choice of cloth or with leather-appointed seats and Cabernet (leather-appointed only).
The Murano comes with many standard safety features, including a new standard rollover sensor. Also included are dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt sensors, front-seat side-impact supplemental air bags and front and rear seat curtain side-impact/rollover supplemental air bags. Zone Body Construction with front and rear crumple zones help dissipate the crash energy away from the passenger compartment. Also standard are front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters, LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat anchors and tether system and front seat active head restraints.
Performance Minded Engineering
The 2005 Nissan Murano comes in a choice of AWD for enhanced all-weather performance or front-wheel drive. All models come equipped with a standard 3.5-liter DOHC V6 engine, derived from the award-winning engine used in the 2005 Altima and Maxima sedans. The engine is rated at 245 horsepower and 246 lb-ft of torque.
The Nissan Murano also advances the technology boundaries in the crossover SUV class with the first North American application of Nissan’s Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). A manual shift mode is offered on SE Models. Unlike conventional stepped gear automatics, the new Xtronic CVT operates as essentially “one gear” through use of a belt and two pulleys.
By infinitely varying the working diameters of the two pulleys, the transmission eliminates the “steps” between gears, resulting in a smoother, more efficient operation by keeping the engine in its optimum power range under a variety of driving and load conditions. This benefit is especially apparent in long uphill drives where the traditional hunting for the proper gear is virtually eliminated.
Other available performance features include Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), which helps improve vehicle stability by controlling brake pressure and engine torque automatically in understeer, oversteer or slippery road surface conditions, Traction Control System (TCS) and a Tire Pressure Monitor System (included in the Dynamic Control Package).
Responsive handling and a comfortable ride are provided by the Nissan Murano’s standard 4-wheel independent suspension, which includes an advanced multi-link rear suspension, cradle-type front subframe and high-stiffness stabilizer bars. The braking system includes 4-wheel vented disc brakes with Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD).
An Array of Combinations
The 2005 Nissan Murano is available in six well-equipped models – 2WD and AWD S, SL and SE - and several equipment packages. Every Murano comes fully equipped with the 245-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, Xtronic CVT, 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS, EBD and BA, 4-wheel independent suspension, power rack-and-pinion steering and a standard 21.7 gallon fuel tank for an exceptional driving range between refueling.
The Murano SE model adds a sport-tuned suspension with firmer front/rear springs and struts and shock absorbers, manual shift mode, unique 6-spoke sporty alloy wheels, High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights with manual headlamp levelizer and dark silver lower bumpers.
Optional equipment packages include a Convenience Package (S model only) with 10-way power adjustable seat with power lumbar and seat back pockets, adjustable pedals, roof rails, cargo cover and cargo net. The SL and SE models offer a Premium Package which includes a Bose® audio system, adjustable pedals, roof rails, cargo net and cargo cover.
The Sunroof Package (SL and SE) includes contents from the Premium Package plus sunroof; the SL and SE Leather Packages offer the contents from the Sunroof Package plus leather-appointed seats, 4-way adjustable power passenger’s seat and dark silver-colored lower bumper; SL and SE Touring Packages which include the contents from the SL and SE Leather Packages plus Intelligent Key, driver’s seat memory system (seat, adjustable pedals and outside mirrors), heated front seats and outside mirrors and Nissan Mobile Entertainment System pre-wiring.
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