The Fruit of Knowledge
Posts tagged nissan murano
Detroit: 2013 Nissan Pathfinder debut to be very social
Jan 8th
Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, SUV, Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, Nissan
Borrowing a page from the launch of the Ford Explorer, Nissan will unveil its latest Pathfinder concept via Facebook instead of holding a traditional press conference. Unlike Ford, however, Nissan won’t completely keep attendees of a major auto show in the dark.
Nissan plans to fully introduce the car on Facebook at 8:30AM Eastern on Monday morning, while CEO Carlos Ghosn simultaneously conducts live interviews from the show stand during the first day of the Detroit Auto Show.
“Since we can’t bring everyone to Detroit to see the show themselves, this is a unique way to offer special access to Nissan,” said Nissan spokesperson Josh Clifton.
The Pathfinder concept is a seven-seater that the company says will haul through the muck with four-wheel drive when it goes on sale this fall. When details emerge, we expect to learn that the Pathfinder, which has been limited in recent years to a kind of hardcore cult following, has morphed from the current Titan-based body-on-frame chassis to a crossover-style unibody platform shared with the Nissan Murano.
Nissan plans to post new Pathfinder content to its 467,332 Facebook fans every two hours throughout the day. Already it’s released one image and a pair of videos teasing the vehicle’s new design.
In the summer of 2010, Ford took what was considered a big gamble and unveiled its 2011 Explorer exclusively on the social network. Now the social-media strategy is becoming a standard part of any marketing campaign.
2013 Nissan Pathfinder debut to be very social originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 08 Jan 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
Official: Nissan drops price on Murano CrossCabriolet… sort of
Oct 3rd
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.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet named Most Disliked Car of 2011 [w/poll]
Aug 11th
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?
Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet named Most Disliked Car of 2011 [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog 5.0 on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
Rumormill: Land Rover to launch convertible Evoque?
Jul 18th
Filed under: Convertible, SUV, Crossover, Land Rover, Rumormill, Luxury, Off-Road
Land Rover is no stranger to the topless utility vehicles. In fact, it was one of the originators, and still offers the Defender as an open-air prospect. But that’s a hard-core off-roader. The Evoque, in this and many other ways, charts new territory for the brand.
Rumor has it that the British purveyor of sport-utes is planning a convertible version of the Evoque that will more closely mirror the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet and the rumored upcoming Audi Q5 cabrio. The drop-top version would in all likelihood be based on the three-door model as opposed to the five (like the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited), but aside from the roof configuration, it would likely mirror the hardtop model in every other way.
Could this be the Victoria Beckham special edition that’s been touted? That would certainly kill any lingering prospect of men buying the convertible crossover. One way or another, we’ll have to wait and see, and for that matter if the rumors will come to fruition at all. But if anyone has the cheek to pull it off, it’s Land Rover.
Land Rover to launch convertible Evoque? originally appeared on Autoblog 5.0 on Mon, 18 Jul 2011 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
Report: Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet production "significantly impacted" by quake
Jun 4th
Filed under: Convertible, Japan, Crossover, Nissan
2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet – Click above for high-res image gallery
We’re hearing less and less about the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan and the resulting supply chain disruptions, but that doesn’t mean the issues have gone away. Inside Line reports that the brand new Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet is the latest vehicle hurt by the natural disaster.
The earthquake struck Japan just as Murano CrossCabriolet production was ramping up, and as a result the automaker was able to ship only 40 to 50 vehicles to customers. That’s bad news for any new vehicle fresh off a launch, but it’s especially damaging to a convertible at the beginning of the summer buying season. With the production of the CrossCabriolet stalled, Nissan likely won’t be able to make up volume until fall or later, and convertible sales almost always drop along with the temperature.
The Murano CrossCabriolet delay is bad news for a unique, ultra-niche vehicle that’s a bit of a risk in terms of function and price. After all, there aren’t many Nissan models that start at $47,190, and there no other crossover coupes with a stowable top.
Hopefully, Nissan can jump-start production of the Murano CrossCabriolet before it’s too late, if only to give Nissan’s topless gamble a fair shot at success.
Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet production “significantly impacted” by quake originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Jun 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
Report: Nissan of Canada takes a pass on Murano CrossCabriolet
Mar 28th
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.
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.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 3.8.11
Mar 8th
First Drive: 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet
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.
Spy Shots: BMW i8 spotted winter testing
The BMW i8 is said to pack 2+2 seating, a 0-62 mph time in the 4.8 second range and fuel economy of over 62 mpg U.S., along with a supercar price tag over $200,000 when this beastie touches down.
Veritas RSIII Hybrid does the electric slide
Veritas basically throws a 105-kilowatt electric motor into the already delectable mix that makes up the standard RSIII.
Also of interest:
- Autoblog Podcast #220: Jeep subcompact, Smart ED, global Mustang, with Consumer Reports’ John Linkov
- Spy Shots: First pics of BMW’s all-new i3
- Nokian tires claims it’s already beaten Bentley’s new ice speed record with Audi [w/video]
- Audi confirms diesel A4, A6, A8, Q5 for U.S., first e-tron vehicle expected in 2013
- Ram unveils Caravan-based Ram Cargo Van
Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed
Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 3.8.11 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
First Drive: 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet
Mar 8th
Filed under: Convertible, Crossover, Nissan, First Drive, Design/Style
Boldy 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…
Photos copyright (C)2011 Chris Paukert / AOL
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.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
