Nissan Murano GT-C

[RF1]

For me it looks great

Nissan will be showing off in many ways at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed (7-9 July) from a race winning 350Z never seen before in Europe to a couple of new, speed themed concept cars making their international debuts. The company will also be making a bid for the title of fastest vehicle at the Festival … with a Nissan Primera. Not one but two concepts are having their first ever showing at Goodwood this year. If the press and public approve, they could be available in the not so distant future. Taking star position on Nissan’s stand is the Murano GT-C, standing for GT Concept. Nissan GB has taken its shapely crossover 4x4 and made it even more dramatic inside and out. Exterior brightwork has been given a new darker hue and all lights have been tinted to coordinate with the Kuro Black paintwork. The Murano’s standard 18" alloy wheels have been changed for a new 22", five-spoke design. And a raised roof spoiler finishes the purposeful look. Just as striking is the GT-C’s interior which has been retrimmed using British craftsmanship and a classic colour palette but with a modern slant. The GT-C’s drivetrain modifications are equally exciting. Under the close supervision of Nissan’s Bedfordshire based European Technical Centre, the Murano’s 234PS 3.5-litre V6 engine with seamless CVT transmission has been turbocharged to literally boost power to around 350PS. The suspension has also been modified to give the Murano a tauter feel while retaining Nissan’s electronic ALL-MODE 4x4 system. Road testing will begin after the GT-C’s next public appearance at the London Motor Show. But expect continents to shrink under its power, whatever the weather.

nice

[Pehtren]

It looks and 350 hp doesent sound bad

[DeMoN]

looks same as normal murano... why the hell are they all fighting for SUVspeed?

[RF1]

I like it; Nissan Murano is a nice car
But I will never buy it...
I prefer -> Mitsubishi Pajero
real 4x4

[black_magician]

I really liked the CVT transmission in that car. I found myself several times chucking it into S and flooring it on the highway. it reminded of taking off in an airplane. I always thought it would be cool to have a turbo on it. The interior was designed much better than the exterior, but I can deal with the chrome buck teeth. I'd buy one.

[canerman]

[Mattk]

I was never sure of which direction Nissan was heading with the Murano. The normal version looks a bit too benign to be a serious 4X4 offroader and is prententious in all its flashiness, without offering much substance by way of performance. At least with the GT-C you know where it stands. It's a brutish 4WD with speed, built for the urban environment.

[RF1]

Following the release of the Nissan 350 Z GT-S Concept, the Japanese automaker today unveiled the Nissan Murano GT-C — a grand tourer concept car based on the standard Murano. The GT-C features a heavily revised powertrain, a raft of suspension, brake and steering upgrades, all complemented by revised exterior styling.

"This is the first time that Nissan's Cranfield-based Technical Centre Europe has produced such a concept, and it speaks volumes for our ability to respond quickly and effectively to customer demand," explains Jerry Hardcastle, the director of Customer Oriented Engineering at Nissan’s Technical Centre Europe. Central to the Murano GT-C’s dynamic appeal is its muscular new turbo-charged engine. In the GT-C, the Murano’s all-aluminium 3498cc V6 engine is breathed on by a single Garrett turbo-charger. The hybrid turbo is a bespoke unit created for this application, and features a turbine from a Garrett T3 and a compressor from a Garrett T4. The engine employs an advanced air to water charge cooling system, which both lowers the temperature and increases the density of the air drawn into the combustion chambers to boost combustion efficiency. The turbo housing itself is isolated with advanced Darchem heat-shielding sandwich material to further regulate temperatures. The engine’s 10.3:1 compression ratio remains unchanged, and volumetric efficiency is also enhanced by the engine’s variable valve timing on both inlet and outlet camshafts. To facilitate the turbo installation, the battery is now housed in the spare rear well in the boot, and the engine is fitted with an acoustically tuned stainless steel exhaust system with four tailpipes to optimise back pressure. Naturally, the exhaust’s closed loop feedback system with three-way catalyst remains unaffected by these enhancements. The 24 valve engine now produces a hefty 340PS at 6000rpm, and an equally impressive 265lb ft of torque at a low 3600rpm – enough to rocket the 1885kg Murano GT-C (a mere 20kg over the standard Murano) to 60mph in an estimated 7.0seconds and on to a top speed of 140mph. Impressive as these on-paper figures are, it’s the Murano GT-C’s powerful in-gear acceleration that impresses most – with that deep reservoir of torque, the Murano GT-C delivers instant and effortless overtaking acceleration throughout the rev-range. To match this performance, the Murano GT-C’s MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension is fitted with uprated Bilstein mono-tube dampers, shorter and 35% stiffer coil springs – which lower the ride height by 25mm – as well as recalibrated front suspension kinematics to enhance cornering turn-in and improve steering feedback. "The goal behind these upgrades is to enhance the Murano’s nimbleness without losing any of its supple long-distance ride comfort. In other words, it will still get a glint in its eye when it’s hustled down a mountain pass, but won’t loosen your fillings when tackling Britain’s craggy blacktop," explains Hardcastle. The Murano GT-C is fitted with a bespoke AP Racing brake system that’s more than capable of handling the engine’s performance boost. At the front, large 362mm two-piece rotors are gripped by powerful six-pot callipers, while at the rear four-pot callipers grasp single piece 330mm discs. All four rotors are vented and grooved for improved heat dissipation. The Murano’s advanced ABS anti-lock system and ESP electronic stability programme remain unchanged. Mated to the Murano’s slick computer-controlled X-Tronic CVT transmission and intuitive ALL-MODE electronic all-wheel drive system, the GT-C delivers effortless acceleration and taut, driver-focused responses, irrespective of the weather or road conditions. Painted in Nissan’s Kuro Black paint, the Murano GT-C features front grille, wing mirrors, door handles, headlamp interiors and badging covered in a clear and deep black/bronze Dupont lacquer. The front air intakes are faced in stainless woven steel mesh and the redesigned rear bumper houses those four chamfered exhaust pipes. Unique 22inch five-spoke two-piece lightweight alloy wheels, shod with Dunlop SP Sport Maxx ZR 265/35 profile tyres fill the Murano GT-C’s bold wheel arches, and that aerodynamically tuned rear wing further underscores the Nissan’s sporting credentials. The central sections of the Murano’s low-slung and electrically adjustable front seats have been trimmed in perforated Strathspey leather, from Andrew Muirhead in Scotland, Europe’s oldest and most distinguished tannery. This hand-stitched honey-coloured waxed matt leather is also used on the rear seats, the centre of the seat headrests, the elbow pads in the door, the top and bottom quadrants of the steering wheel and the recesses of the footwells. The organic Strathspey leather is offset by the tan Glove material that’s used above the belt-line to cover the headlining and pillars. Like the leather, this advanced man-made fibre is hand-stitched. That striking exterior black/bronze lacquer is carried through to the cabin, where it’s used to coat the door’s step sills and the lids of the central stowage console. The black/bronze hue is further accented by the GT-C’s grab handles, coat hooks and interior light surrounds that are all coated in a soft-touch tan finish. The Murano GT-C comes with its own bespoke occasional leather bag. Hand-crafted from the same Strathspey leather and Glove material used in the cabin, the case – ideal for a lap-top computer or travel documents – fits perfectly into the Murano’s deep centre console stowage compartment. And in tribute to its name – Murano is an island off the Venetian coast in Italy famed for its hand-crafted blue glass – the GT-C features a gearlever and centre console trinket tray fashioned from hand-blown Murano blue and clear glass. These two striking features are further enhanced by the ambient blue lighting from light-emitting diodes secreted at the apex of the B-pillar and beneath the seats. And the extravagant specification of the standard road-going Murano – automatic climate control, bi-xenon headlamps, colour reversing camera, a seven-speaker, 225W Bose audio system, six airbags, advanced electronic traction and braking aids and ‘Birdview’ DVD satellite navigation – means the Murano GT-C driver will want for nothing. "Although the GT-C is a concept," says Hardcastle, "we wanted to make it as production feasible as possible. So bar a few minor trim changes, what you see is what you would get - if the GT-C gets production approval."

[nickthaskater]

Meh, seems kind of pointless. It's not quick enough to really change anything.

[Global Warming]

Originally Posted by nickthaskater Meh, seems kind of pointless. It's not quick enough to really change anything.

Exactly. Honda and Mazda and now Nissan are all coming out with little SUVs that have more power. The only reason you would want a lot of power in a SUV is if you had a big boat or trailer to pull. I can’t imagine anyone wanting to "race" around in a small, heavy truck like this. I think again all these projects were probably started 2 or 3 years ago when gas was cheap. But now that oil has topped $75 a barrel all these models look late to the market and stupid.

The only thing left is for a turbo/240HP RAV4 to come out. Let’s hope Toyota is smart enough to stay out of this really dumb fight.

[nickthaskater]

If you're going to do it, do it right.



Supposed 650hp and 770+ of torque supercharged LSA, said to be going into the next Silverado SS pickup, and Escalade V series.

[Global Warming]

It is pretty funny how SUV sales are down across the board. And people are flocking to the models with smaller engines. Like the Jeep Liberty is selling a lot more models with the 2.8L rather than the 3.7, etc., etc. And there has been a tremendous interest in the Ford Escape Hybrid.

And Honda and Mazda and now Nissan choose now to come out with their more powerful SUVs? It’s completely backwards! They should have had a 240HP model 5 years ago and should be coming out with an “all new” 2.4L/160 HP model now because that’s what people want.

This seems like some VERY poor planning.

[T-Bird]

so waiting lists 6 months long for the new RDX is a big mistake huh? nobody wants alot of power in a small package? the mileage won't be that bad for the Acura.

[Global Warming]

Originally Posted by T-Bird so waiting lists 6 months long for the new RDX is a big mistake huh? nobody wants alot of power in a small package? the mileage won't be that bad for the Acura.

Acura could come out with a cardboard box with an Acura badge on it and there would be a waiting list. Because they have so many fan boys and they start with such small numbers of vehicles. Just because one little dealership has a small waiting list means nothing.

After it has been out for a little while and the hype is over it will sell poorly. Just like all the other SUVs on the market. And the RDX will guzzle a LOT more gas than the current 2.4L CRV and Element because of two things, the turbo and the 450 pounds of extra weight!!

Edit: Look at Acura's newest car before the RDX, the RL... It sold only 17,572 cars in 2005. That is just a tiny number compared to almost all other new models for sale the same amount of time. But their was a "waiting list" for the new RL too! :roll:

And very few people that were in the MDX market will go to the RDX market. Even Acura itself is trying to link the RDX to the RSX by calling it a “crossover”which is just insane!!