A Designer’s Sport Utility Vehicle

Murano is an Italian is land near Venice known for its exquisitely sculptured glass crafts known as the "Murano glass". Up to this day, Murano glass remains one of the most sought-after elegant glass sculptures celebrated by artisans and collectors.

It is thus fitting that Nissan Motors Co., Ltd., the rejuvenated Japanese car manufacturer would name its stylish sport utility vehicle as the Murano. After its debut worldwide, especially in the major car markets like the US, Europe, Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan, the Nissan Murano became widely popular as one of the Nissan vehicles that demonstrated what the "revived" brand is all about — bold products with thoughtful engineering. In markets where the Nissan Murano has yet to be introduced, it already has a strong following among the moneyed motorists, especially those enthusiasts who want a uniquely styled sport utility vehicle with a luxury car ride and sports car-like handling. The Murano satisfies the requirements of these enthusiasts, including a high level of safety and performance, thus reviving and emphasizing the "sport" in sport utility vehicles.

Nissan has profiled the target market of the Murano through the combinations of these performance and luxury requirements that make the Nissan sport utility vehicle reflective of the personality and lifestyle of its owner: those who are independent-minded, actively engaged in trying new things, with a strong sense of self, and have taken great pride in their achievements. Thankfully, after a long wait, the Nissan Murano will be finally unleashed today by Nissan Motor Philippines (NMPI) and made available for the discerning and affluent few who exhibit these very tenets that Nissan has profiled.

"The Nissan Murano is known worldwide for its perfect combination of styling, performance, safety and luxury. The Murano represents the new Nissan philosophy of being bold yet thoughtful. While the Murano’s styling may be bold, it has thoughtful touches that make it one of the most driver and passenger-friendly sport utility vehicles offered in its class," stated Dennis Chang, Nissan’s AVP for sales and marketing.

Nissan claims the clean lines of the Murano that flow nicely over rounded corners and angles have given it an ageless styling, one that will not become obsolete even with the introduction of other crossover vehicles. Not surprisingly, the Nissan Murano’s styling is not only unique or eye-catching — it is also highly functional as it provides adequate space for four adults and offers a commanding view of the road for its driver. The sloping hood, the company cites for example, does not obstruct forward vision and makes it easier for the driver to easily see what is immediately ahead of the vehicle.

Nissan adds that although the Murano is oftentimes fondly referred to as an "artwork on wheels," its beauty is not only skin-deep because underneath its hood resides one of the finest engines ever to be produced by Nissan — the VQ engine, which is the only engine series to be listed in Ward’s 10 Best Engine’s List for 12 straight years. The 3.5-liter VQ engine in the Nissan Murano is equipped with the company’s Continuously Variable-valve Timing Control (CVTC) and Nissan Induction Control System (NICS), which allows it to produce 234PS at 6,000rpm and 324 N-m of torque at 3,600rpm. Power is transferred to an equally powerful and smooth continuously variable transmission (CVT) that makes good use of the VQ engine’s wide torque band and top end power and provides unequalled driving pleasure for a vehicle of its size. Drivers with a more sporting ilk will definitely enjoy using the 6-speed manual mode of the Nissan’s CVT.

NMPI adds that the Nissan Murano provides unbeatable value for a sport utility vehicle and cited its recent 5-Star rating in the latest list of Automotive Lease Guide (ALG), which, for over 35 years, has been setting the benchmark for depreciation and residual value of new cars sold in the United States and Canada. With these accolades, it is no wonder that NMPI is decidedly upbeat about their latest sport utility vehicle. "For our loyal customers and Nissan enthusiasts who have always wanted to own a Nissan Murano, the wait is finally over. In a few days, they can troop to their nearest authorized Nissan dealer and drive home the sport utility vehicle of their dreams. And when they finally get to drive their Murano home, its performance and beauty will make them realize that their dream of owning a Murano will develop into a loving and lasting relationship," Chang concluded.

Like the finely sculptured elegant glass crafts that it was named after, the Nissan Murano beckons to those enthusiasts whose affluence and palate for the finer things in life extend to the vehicles that transport them to their various appointments. The Nissan Murano will make a fine addition to their discerning collection.