The Nissan Murano is here

Like the first-generation Murano, the 2015 version is a highly sculptural, highly emotional design – one that once again stands out in a field known more for uniformity and utility-based styling.

"Murano owners live in an environment – home, work and car – that is beautiful, well-designed and efficiently run. They are social and embrace technology," said Palmer. "The new Murano had to embrace all of these values, while also taking a major leap forward in terms of its 'Wow' factor."

Working to capture the spirit and styling of the first Murano— so as to retain the similarity— the designers began by concentrating on the new vehicle's sculptural qualities. Breaking the usual order of sketching, computer renderings and then clay modelling, the Murano team started working with small three-dimensional clay forms – literally exploring organic shapes and volumes with mini desktop sculptures. The process helped narrow down a new Nissan design direction focused on lightness and efficiency.

The 2015 Murano will be available at launch with a standard 3.5-litre DOHC V6 rated at 260 horsepower and 325Nm of torque. Also standard is an advanced Xtronic transmission tuned for quick response and smoothness. Fuel economy is projected to be enhanced by approximately 20 percent versus the current generation Murano, due to the approximate 130-pound overall weight reduction, enhanced aerodynamics and engine/transmission efficiencies.

Like the previous generation, the new Murano will offer responsive handling and a comfortable ride through use of a 4-wheel independent suspension featuring a front strut/rear multi-link design. Also standard are 4-wheel disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering. Sporty 18-inch or 20-inch machine-finished aluminum-alloy wheels are also available. The 2015 Murano is offered in front-wheel drive or intuitive all-wheel drive.

The new Murano incorporates up to four onboard cameras (front, rear, two side) and three radar systems (one front, two side) to provide input to a range of available technologies, including Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW) Forward Emergency Braking (FEB) and Intelligent Cruise Control. The new Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) system utilizses radar to detect a vehicle approaching from either side of the Murano when backing out of a parking space.

Parking a new Murano is made easier with the available class-exclusive Around View® Monitor with Moving Object Detection, which is designed to reduce the normal complexity of parallel parking by giving an all-around view of the surrounding area from front, rear and side cameras.

The system is not just for parallel parking, however, helping view the vehicle's placement in pull-in spots, garages and against curbs. The Moving Object Detection (MOD) system helps the driver to detect moving objects such as shopping carts or strollers when backing out via an on-screen notification and warning chime.

Murano also includes as standard the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt sensors and an occupant classification sensor, front-seat mounted side-impact supplemental air bags, roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags with rollover sensor and driver's seat knee air bag.