There’s really not much to explain that the name doesn’t already tell you. This is a convertible version of the Nissan Murano. There is a retractable soft top that buries itself behind the second row if you feel the need to get a little more air than your average sunroof can provide. It’s strictly a four-seater, so a small sliver of its SUV utility has been removed in the name of comfort.

The CrossCabriolet will sit at the top of the Murano lineup, as every model will come loaded with features like HID headlights, 20-inch wheels, leather seats and wood trim. All models will be all-wheel drive as well. The same 265-horsepower V6 that powers all other Muranos is standard along with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Sales begin in the spring of 2011.

As there will only be one trim level when it goes on sale early next year, exterior features are generous. From HID bi-xenon headlamps and LED taillights, to fog lights and body colored bumpers and facades, the CrossCabriolet will arrive at dealerships plentifully equipped. Twenty-inch split five-spoke wheels cloaked in a titanium finish tuck under each of the bulbous fenders. The model’s six colors include Sunset Bronze, Caribbean, Merlot, Platinum Graphite, Super Black, and Pearl White.

It’s the same fully equipped story inside. Three leather colors — black, cashmere, and camel — can be had in a diagonal quilt pattern with double stitching. Half-matte chrome and wood finishes can be specified as well. A heated steering wheel and front seats, Nissan Hard Drive Navigation System, Bose audio system, and Bluetooth arrive standard.

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Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Nissan Financial Services, Co., Ltd. (NFS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nissan, today announced the decision to separate its car rental business division – Nissan Rent-a-Car - currently under NFS and integrate it under Nissan Network Holdings Co., Ltd.,* by December 2008.

In Japan, the car rental business is expected to grow further, due to the diversification of vehicle ownership patterns. As one of its core businesses, Nissan will establish a dedicated car rental subsidiary to facilitate the expansion of the business through the right allocation of resources and focused management.

NFS will continue to focus on its core business of vehicle leasing and financing.

Details related to the new car rental subsidiary will be announced in early-October.

*Nissan Network Holdings Co., Ltd. is a holding company responsible for the asset management of Nissan’s dealerships in Japan. Read More

nissan altima hybrid
All-electric and original hybrid electric prototypes unveiled

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today unveiled all-electric and original hybrid electric prototype vehicles, both powered by advanced lithium-ion batteries. Under the NISSAN GT 2012 business plan, the company has committed to zero-emission vehicle leadership, and has announced plans to introduce an all-electric vehicle in 2010 and mass market globally in 2012.

* Electric vehicle (Test vehicle)
* Hybrid vehicle (Test vehicle)
* Lithium-ion battery

Electric Vehicle (EV)
Powered by advanced lithium-ion batteries, the EV prototype is part of Nissan’s substantial research and development program on zero emission vehicles. This latest generation vehicle features a front-wheel drive layout and uses a newly developed 80kW motor and inverter. The advanced laminated compact lithium-ion batteries are installed under the floor, without sacrificing either cabin or cargo space.

The production vehicle to be introduced in 2010 will have a unique bodystyle and is not based on any existing Nissan model.

Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)
The Nissan original HEV delivers two breakthrough technologies – a high-performance rear-wheel drive hybrid system and parallel-powertrain hybrid system. The hybrid employs Nissan’s own originally developed hybrid technology and its first rear-wheel drive hybrid powertrain.

The parallel-powertrain system comprises an energy-optimizing system with two clutches, where one motor is directly connected to an engine and transmission via two separate clutches. Under changing driving conditions, the motor switches between the two clutches to optimize and conserve energy utilization as well as improve fuel-efficiency.

The parallel-powertrain hybrid system eliminates the need for conventional torque converters, contributing to higher responsiveness and linear acceleration for improved driving feel.

The dynamic characteristics of the clutches are as follows:

Idle-stop: The battery is used to power the motor to save on fuel.
Regular driving: The engine is used to power the motor as well as regenerate the battery.
Acceleration: Both the engine and battery (power assist) is used to power the motor to achieve smooth acceleration.
Deceleration: Energy from braking is conserved and re-routed back to regenerate the battery.


Lithium-ion Battery
The advanced lithium-ion batteries used in both prototypes are sourced from the Nissan-NEC joint-venture, AESC (Automotive Energy Supply Corporation). These advanced batteries offer superior performance, reliability, safety, versatility and cost competitiveness, compared to the conventional nickel metal-hydride batteries. Its compact laminated configuration delivers twice the electric power compared to conventional nickel-metal hydride batteries with a cylindrical configuration. The compact batteries also allow for improved vehicle packaging and a wide range of applications.

Nissan has long experience in electric-powered vehicle development, commencing from the first EV "Tama Electric Vehicle" back in 1947. The company introduced the world’s first application of lithium-ion batteries to the Prarie Joy EV in 1996, followed by the ultra-compact electric vehicle, Hypermini, released in 2000. Nissan also introduced its first original hybrid vehicle Tino Hybrid back in 1999 in Japan. In 2006, the Altima Hybrid was introduced in North America using licensed technology.

Under the Nissan Green Program 2010 environmental plan, the company aims to develop new technologies, products and services that can lead to real-world reductions in vehicle CO2 emissions, cleaner emissions, and recycling of resources. Nissan continues to invest substantially in a wide range of technologies including CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), VVEL (Variable Valve Event and Lift), clean diesels, biofuels and fuel cell vehicles. Read More