2003 Nissan Murano - A Mid-Size SUV in the Spirit of Altima
Nissan - Japan's most improved automotive player - is close to launching yet another new product. In case you've been lost at sea, last year saw the rebirth of the midsize Altima sedan, stunning automotive industry pundits and Joe Public alike with class dominant performance and a sexy all-new shape. Nissan plans to shake up the midsize SUV segment much the same way with the Murano, and basing it around Altima architecture is a fine way to start.
First of all it looks nothing like any other sport utility on the planet, but that doesn't mean it disturbs the senses. Quite the opposite is true in actual fact. The Murano appears muscular, but more feline than put bull. Nissan calls it a "sculpture in motion" theme, comprised of wraparound surfaces, a unified front grille appearing flush to the single-piece front fascia and sloping hood, and a dynamic upswept D-pillar producing a sporty, forward-moving appearance.
Its lightweight composite rear hatch looks shrink-wrapped around the back half of the cabin, tautly stretched over the fenders and wheel wells, and flanked by attractive tail lamps that form the outer edges of its rear fenders. Follow the bulging beltline from back toward front and a set of vertical stack headlight clusters - available with xenon bulbs - are blended in, sloping downward to form the outer corners of the front fenders. Optional metallic dark gray colored lower bumpers, front and back, add a rugged, go anywhere appearance, while incorporating twin chrome tailpipes in the rear. The Murano's standard 18-inch wheel and tire package completes the athletic yet graceful design, looking as quick in a still photo as its standard 3.5-L 6-cylinder engine reportedly performs in real life.