Last August Inside Line scooped the world with a report that Nissan is working on a convertible version of its Murano crossover. Yeah, it sounded nuts to us too, but it was true then and it is true now.
Sources inside Nissan tell us the droptop SUV is still a go and will arrive at dealers before the summer of 2010.
Much of the information we published last August is still right on. The 2011 Murano convertible will be produced in limited numbers, and will be targeted at empty-nesters who need room to carry the grandkids, but still want something fun. And like the new 370Z convertible, it will stick with a more traditional soft top to keep weight and cost down.
The Murano's current 265-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and continuously variable transmission (CVT) will remain, and front- or all-wheel drive will be available.
However, we did get one thing wrong. Unlike the image above, the 2011 Nissan Murano Convertible will be a two-door. That's right, sort of like a higher riding PT Cruiser convertible.
We'll keep you posted as we learn more.
SirTodd says:
01:33 PM, 05/13/09
Seriously, what in the world are they thinking?! Nissan just lost $1.7 billion for the year to March, and this is what they're sticking too? Is the Murano itself doing that well for them to consider a convertible version?
If anything, you'd think they'll be more focused on cheaper cars. Then again, Nissan decided to raise the price for the Infiniti QX56 by about $2000 for 2010. Some heads need to roll...
SirTodd says:
01:35 PM, 05/13/09
Sorry, it was a $2.4 billion loss. Geez...
eville_stu says:
01:47 PM, 05/13/09
What an abomination... reminds me of the PT Cruiser convertible. Any convertible that needs to have a massive rollbar sticking out in the middle should never be built.
compliance says:
02:00 PM, 05/13/09
You are a month and a half late with the April fools post.
pat1usmc says:
02:04 PM, 05/13/09
What else does it have to compete with? There isn't another option for a somewhat "useful" convertible besides the Wrangler. Maybe this will start something. I'm all for it. Remember the old convertible Broncos?
stovt001 says:
02:16 PM, 05/13/09
Can our government do a sort of "reverse bailout" and tax Nissan until they are unable to do this? What an awful abomination to unleash on the roads, creating such scenery pollution.
firstwagon says:
02:18 PM, 05/13/09
I love convertibles but wow that's hard to look at.
audisport says:
02:26 PM, 05/13/09
How on Earth can such a rediculous vehicle be put into production. Anyone remember the Dodge Dakota Convert? Yeah, didn't think so!
corvairguy says:
03:05 PM, 05/13/09
Swing and a miss....
estreka says:
03:49 PM, 05/13/09
That has dangerous written all over it.
jederino says:
04:45 PM, 05/13/09
hey, it's the modern re-imagining of the Travelall, or it's a Top Gear prank.
alman08 says:
07:41 PM, 05/13/09
Nissan GT-R... wow, what a super car!
Nissan 370Z... wow, what a nice sport car!
Nissan Murano convertible... WOW, WHAT THE HELL??!!
ne1butu2 says:
09:55 PM, 05/13/09
Yikes! It isn't easy to make an ugly convertible. Nissan has done it twice.
Without a roof, the beautiful 370Z looks like a silly Barbimobile with its roof down, and an afterthought with the roof up.
Without a roof, all that's left of the Murano is an ugly pug face and a PT Cruiser style rollbar. It looks way cheaper that I'm sure it's going to be.
uncanny_man says:
10:27 PM, 05/13/09
Eww, gives me the jibblies.
tryan says:
03:23 AM, 05/14/09
"The 2011 Murano convertible will be produced in limited numbers, and will be targeted at empty-nesters who need room to carry the grandkids, but still want something fun."
Talk about a niche market...somebody inside thought this would be a lucrative target, I guess.
Not my bag, and while I'm all for innovating in times of a recession, I still don't think every concept should make it to full-scale production.
firstwagon says:
07:37 AM, 05/14/09
"Talk about a niche market"
You don't think older people like to have fun???
Or have grand kids?
dougtheeng says:
08:17 AM, 05/14/09
Old people definitely don't have fun. I read a study on that in National Geographic.
isaacl says:
08:18 AM, 05/14/09
I like it. And I think it's an intelligent proposal. Like pat1 said, there is no competition to this. And like firstw said, this looks like a fun and hopefully practical vehicle.
I think it will do well for them.
shevchuk says:
08:29 AM, 05/14/09
I love it !
this looks like a fun and practical vehicle !
flicmod says:
08:48 AM, 05/14/09
I fail to see how this thing is "practical". It's a two-door SUV with a convertible top. It weighs more, it has less "utility", and it'll most likely cost a fortune. I thought the market already decided that it didn't want two-door SUV's after the failed attempts at the Explorer Sport and the two-door Jimmy/Blazer?
This thing will fail. That's my prediction.
tondra85 says:
12:43 PM, 05/14/09
NISSAN...I Love You guys.You guys make some really awesome cars(especially the GT-R),but as a big fan of your company, this is JUST WRONG!!...DON'T DO IT!!!!!
artsy3 says:
05:47 AM, 10/19/10
@SirTodd: "Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., today announced financial results for the fiscal year 2009, ending March 31, 2010, and filed the following results....
Net revenues of 7.5173 trillion yen (US $80.92 billion, euro 57.3 billion), down 10.9% from the prior year, with the stronger yen offsetting the increase in sales volume;
Operating profit of 311.6 billion yen (US $3.35 billion, euro 2.38 billion);
Ordinary profit of 207.7 billion yen (US $2.24 billion, euro 1.58 billion); and
Net income of 42.4 billion yen (US $460 million, euro 320 million), compared to negative 233.7 billion yen in fiscal year 2008.