Nissan Murano Might Be Launched In India Before Mid-2010

Nissan India is likely to launch the new Murano in India before mid 2010.

Nissan Murano is a premium sports utility vehicle (SUV) that will be catered as a CBU unit from Japan.

Nissan Murano might get launched in three variants the S (Base), SL (Mid) & LE (Top-End) that will sport a powerful 3.5-Litre petrol V6 engine and all-wheel drive (AWD) handy.

Nissan Murano will directly step into a war against Toyota Prado, BMW X3, Mitsubishi Montero and Mercedes Benz M-Class models between the price ranges from Rs 35 lakhs to Rs 40 lakhs.

The Nissan Murano might get the following features:

    * Aluminum interior accents
    * Leather seats
    * Rain sensing wipers
    * Memory seats
    * Mood lighting
    * 11-speaker Bose unit
    * 9.3GB hard disk storage device

Nissan has various plans for India that will include the Micra small car hatchback that might launch before Q1 2010 and followed by a sedan in 2011 and a compact Multi-Purpose vehicle (MPV).

Nissan Micra is been produced at the Renault-Nissan plant in Chennai and it is also manufactured in five different countries including India, China and Thailand.

The name ‘Murano’ comes from a region of Venice, Italy which is known for the hand blown glass produced there.

Nissan to roll out Murano

Nissan India will launch its premium sports utility vehicle (SUV) Murano in India by the first half of next year.

“Murano should be here latest by the first half of 2010. The car was initially scheduled for a rollout this year. It will be imported as a completely built unit from Japan,” said sources.

The SUV is likely to be priced between Rs 35 lakh and Rs 40 lakh and will compete with the Toyota Prado, BMW X3, Mitsubishi Montero and Mercedes Benz M-class.

According to company sources, Nissan will first assess its prospects in the competitive SUV segment in India before getting into small cars.

The Murano was first launched in 2002 in the United States as a crossover vehicle to complement the Pathfinder.

The SUV may come in three variants — the base S, the mid-grade SL and the top of the line LE. The all-wheel drive vehicle is expected to be strapped with a 3.5-litre petrol V6 engine.

The Nissan Murano is likely to have aluminium interior accents, leather seats, rain sensing wipers, memory seats and mood lighting.

The SUV will be equipped with an 11-speaker Bose unit along with a 9.3GB hard disk storage device.

Nissan’s compact car project is also on course. The hatchback will be manufactured in five countries, including India, China and Thailand.

In India, the small car will be manufactured at the Renault-Nissan plant in Chennai.

Nissan’s engineers say they are trying to source 80-90 per cent of the parts locally.

After launching the hatchback in 2010, Nissan plans to unveil a sedan in 2011 and a compact multi-purpose vehicle.