Here’s something from Nissan at Detroit 2013 – the Nissan Resonance Concept that previews the third-generation Murano crossover.
The Murano that was once one of the hottest grey market imports in Malaysia is the original Z50, which made way for the second-gen crossover (the one with the alien face) in 2007. Sales of that one started in 2008, which means that it has been five years since the Murano sat in showrooms largely unchanged. Time for a new one.
Resonance was created by Nissan Design America in San Diego under the direction of Shiro Nakamura, senior vice president and chief creative officer of Nissan.
“When the designers were first working on the Resonance, they were inspired by scientific advancements in technology and material innovations. They also were inspired by the aspirations of those people who embrace innovation. It was about serving those people a concept vehicle that is forward-looking and fuses style with an athletic ride,” explained Francois Bancon, division GM, product strategy and planning.
“Resonance is meant to be provocative, energetic and engaging – even polarising. This design is not meant to appeal to traditional two-box SUV shoppers, but rather to those whose fashion and design choices make a statement. For Nissan, this concept makes our statement about the future of this segment,” Bancon added.
Autocar UK quotes insiders as saying that 70% of what you see here will make production, minus the flashy showcar detailing of course. Certain design features like the front grille and “boomerang” headlights, will also appear on the next-gen Qashqai, which like the new Murano, is due next year.
The design concept is presented with AWD and Nissan’s proprietary “one-motor, two-clutch” system that combines a smaller displacement internal combustion petrol engine with an electric motor/lithium-ion battery and advanced management system.
Locally, such a system can be found in the Infiniti M35h hybrid, billed as a “driver’s hybrid” that puts performance first. The Resonance also features Nissan’s next-gen Xtronic CVT gearbox.
