We reported last August that Nissan was readying a convertible version of its Murano SUV, and it doesn’t look as though the current economic conditions have curtailed the Japanese automaker’s plans. Per a new report, Nissan is soldiering on with the drop-top SUV.
According to Edmunds, the Murano Convertible is moving right along as scheduled – even as the automaker continues to lose money. As previously reported, the Murano Convertible will be aimed at empty nesters that need a little more cargo room than the typical drop top offers.
Underhood, the Murano Convertible will retain its 265 horsepower 3.5L V6 mated to a continuously variable transmission. Buyers will be able to chose between front and all-wheel drive.
If the latest reports are to believed, we should see the Murano Convertible in Nissan showrooms in time for summer 2010 with a price tag of about $40,000.
05/14, 12:57 PM
posted by:
05Z88Path
“Although initially thought to be offered as a four-door, new evidence suggest the Murano Convertible will actually be a convertible.”
Wow who would have thought…a convertible as a convertible?
Good proof reading LLN.
05/14, 1:02 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
This is a joke, right? What survey group on this planet ever indicated there is enough interest to justify a convertible Murano? Oh wait, a niche opened up when they killed the PT Cruiser soft top so let’s bring out something even uglier for twice the price. I’m sorry Mr. Ghosn, but your company is really lobbing up some soft ones lately. What’s next, an open topped Cube? It makes me shudder to even think of it.
05/14, 1:03 PM
posted by:
DenverGuy217
Yeh I was confused when I first read that thinking the Murano Convertible might actually be a pickup or snowmobile LOL
05/14, 1:09 PM
posted by:
04focus
well… fold up the back seat and then you have a Murano pickup!
05/14, 1:21 PM
posted by:
shaver
This is clearly for those of us disapointed in the FJ not being convertible. Cant wait to see my first rock crawler Murano.
05/14, 1:46 PM
posted by:
DenverGuy217
Maybe with all these Dodge dealerships closing up, Nissan sees a chance to sell a couple hundred to the folks who might want to trade in their rusting Dakota convertibles….
05/14, 1:46 PM
posted by:
eff1Fifty
yeah im thinkin they need to slow down a bit in their frenzied writing… did they mean to say the murano will b a 2door instead of a 4door? to be honest it doesnt really matter cuz this car is a waste of R&D funds. altho i could b eating crow in 2years if this creates a new market segment (”who the hell would want a FOUR DOOR coupe?? that will never fly”… that guy doesnt work for Mercedes anymore)
05/14, 1:53 PM
posted by:
Borat
it makes sense!! Now every milf with Murano can show off her new silicon!
05/14, 1:59 PM
posted by:
A4
took the words right out of my mouth 05Z88
i dunno about you, but im all for milfs with silicone.
05/14, 2:16 PM
posted by:
ninetysixvert
This is ridiculous.
05/14, 2:37 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
@shaver- Actually the convertable FJ makes WAY MORE sense than the Murano – I mean, it at least competes with the Wrangler, and not a terrible idea to be honest. The Murano, though, it just nuts. It can’t be taken off-road and why would it be choosen over platform mate Altima coupe that looks like it could be a convetrtable?
Oh, and shaver, all GTIs and Golf/Rabbits are built in Wolfsburg Germany, they don’t share the Mexican factory with the Jetta.
05/14, 2:39 PM
posted by:
Long Dong Auto
Borat, there is a stirring in my loins…
05/14, 2:43 PM
posted by:
Borat
To help you all, I think Nissan should offer the first vehicle to Pamela Anderson, for free.
05/14, 2:44 PM
posted by:
05Z88Path
I bet there is Long Dong…
05/14, 3:04 PM
posted by:
The Tuga
WTF?!?!?!
a convertible suv???
i can´t even imagine what that will look like
i mean…i never seen one. it’s a completelly new concept to me, but thats probablly because i’m an european…we don’t fancy that kind a thing…
sure, i´ve seen some suzuki vitaras with no top, or maybe a old school land rover. heck, even a renault 4, but an suv?
the closest to this i’ve seen was when clackson&co decided to build a convertible renault espace on top gear.
only in america i tell you
praise the lord
05/14, 3:07 PM
posted by:
The Tuga
maybe some day we will all be moving around in a convertible subway
still waiting on that one,america
05/14, 4:38 PM
posted by:
2WheeledSpeed
Where does Nissan get the idea that anyone wants a convertible SUV? The PT Cruiser Convertible was stupid, this is even dumber.
Not a lot of people where I live buy convertibles anyways, it’s too cold in the winter.
05/14, 5:46 PM
posted by:
Das Stig
The automakers are literally playing games with our head at this point.
05/14, 6:07 PM
posted by:
eal2009
UGLY
05/14, 6:32 PM
posted by:
nestle_s
oh no! here we go another PT-Cruiser but twice the price!
05/14, 6:41 PM
posted by:
iluvamcars
the pt cruier was not a crossover, and it is a compact, so that makes more sense, but the murano is pointless.
05/14, 7:33 PM
posted by:
DrFill
Borat
I need a MILF!
Are they optional on the SL?
DrFill
05/14, 7:49 PM
posted by:
orangecones
This is a fairly stupid idea. At least we can relax that there won’t be a drop-top Cube in the near future because a hard drop top is too expensive and they haven’t figured out yet how to make the soft top boxy enough to still fit the cube name (they might as well call it a squircle).
This is fairly bad, there haven’t been any convertable SUVs (except Wrangler) since the early-mid 90s with the Suzuki Vitara/Chevy Tracker twins, and a few Isuzus. This is stupid. Next on the menu of course, is the Quest Convertable. For the niche of soccer moms who aren’t ready to give up fun in the sun.
05/14, 8:48 PM
posted by:
Rafa LL
You know what, bring it on, I don’t care.
I don’t picture more than a tight soccer mom driving through Florida but whatever.
Their money, their loss.
05/14, 9:17 PM
posted by:
AudiS4
Wow, what a great idea, hopefully Nissan losses even more money and post more losses for this stupid mistake.
05/14, 11:16 PM
posted by:
aggie531
i can totally see this happening. the Murano convert is going to come out and soon there will be am Infiniti version. then—
A BMW X6 convert
An Acura ZDX Convert
then a BMW x6 convert M
Lexus will come out with something
Then Benz
And of course honda and toyota
A whole sport utillity convertable class. amazing!!
05/14, 11:16 PM
posted by:
aggie531
^^^ to my other comment
dont forget Chevy and Ford