Nissan amps up design, elegance in new Murano

Nissan is out to restore the cutting-edge design of the Murano crossover, which turned heads when it was launched in 2003. To get there, it made it more luxurious.

The crossover will make its debut this week at the New York Auto Show.

In fact, Nissan says it is so luxurious that it almost crosses the line now into the luxury car field, Nissan officials say.

The change is clear right from a its new grille headlight design. It carries back through the whole vehicle, including flared rear fenders that give it a more powerful look.

"One of the central constructs for both the exterior and interior of the new Murano was to elevate your experience, which is counterintuitive to the heaviness and chunkiness of the traditional sport utility vehicle," said Shiro Nakamura, a Nissan senior vice president, in a statement.

For light, the new Murano will retain much of the glass area of the original. And it borrows its headlight and taillight look from the sports car of the division, 370Z.

It will be powered by a standard 3.5-liter V-6 engine rated at 260 horsepower with a 20% expected boost in fuel economy. It's about 130 pounds lighter than the model it replaces.