4x4 Fans Get Mur Choice

There's yet another mud-plugger on the horizon - as Nissan has confirmed its Murano 4x4 is to come to the UK from early next year.

Auto Express Car Reviews

16th March 2004

The off-roader has already proved a hit in both the US and Japanese markets, and it's now going to be introduced across Europe in an attempt to take sales from the new BMW X3 and Lexus RX300.

Following the official announcement at the Geneva Motor Show, Nissan's UK dealers have already begun accepting orders for the V6-powered SUV. As with the 350Z sports car, only a limited number will be imported to Britain officially, with 1,000 being sold a year.

Available in only one trim level, the Murano will be priced around ΂£30,000. The generous equipment tally will include xenon headlamps, leather trim, 18-inch wheels and sat-nav. There will be just one engine option, too - a version of the 350Z's unit detuned to 242bhp and mated to an automatic gearbox.

But the Murano isn't the only imminent 4x4 from Nissan. The firm's head of product planning, Patrick Pelata, told Auto Express that the Qashqai could be a production reality within months if the public reacts positively to the show car. It will be based on a new 4WD version of the Renault M΃©gane platform, which will also underpin an off-roader for the French maker. Both models could be built in Korea to keep costs low.