[Cartoday]
If someone told you the Nissan’s future plans for its Murano included a convertible version you’d consider them a trifle loony, but recent reports now suggest you’d better put away that straight jacket.
With its surprisingly sprightly handling and peach of a powerplant, the Murano is something of a pleasure to drive.
Obviously, someone swapped their 350Z convertible for one and thought ‘I like it, but it could do with losing the roof’ and the folks at Nissan were listening.According to a report from Edmunds Nissan is busy developing a convertible version of the latest Murano.
Sources within the company’s US arm claim this convertible model will be produced in limited numbers and will go on sale stateside in the third quarter of 2010.
Nissan has reportedly avoided going the folding hard-top route, opting instead for a simpler canvas roof that will help to keep the weight gains from the inevitable structural bracing to a minimum.
One foreseeable drawback to the adoption of a canvas roof will be the intrusion of its folding mechanism into an already small load bay.
The convertible will retain the latest version of the mildly detuned 230 kW 3,5-litre V6 lifted from the company’s 350Z sportscar.
This engine is expected to power front- and all-wheel drive versions of the convertible, and will most likely be mated with Nissan’s continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Initially, you’d have to question the wisdom of developing such a niche product in a segment that is under increasing pressure from emission standards and eye-watering oil prices. Upon its arrival, however, the Murano convertible will the only four-door convertible SUV on the market, with the possible exception of the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, whose rugged nature appeals to a very select market segment.
Who are the likely buyers for such a product? Well…maybe you shouldn’t put away that straight jacket just yet…