Nissan is close to hybridizing their entire crossover lineup with the unveiling of the new Murano Hybrid in China this week.
Hot on the heels of the X-Trail (essentially the same vehicle as the Rogue but with the steering wheel on the other side) Hybrid going on sale in Japan comes the Murano Hybrid, revealed at Auto Shanghai.
Though no specific specifications were given, Nissan did confirm a supercharged 2.5L four-cylinder mated to a lithium-ion battery pack and dual-clutch hybrid system. That sounds suspiciously similar to the powertrain employed in both the Pathfinder Hybrid and its platform mate the Infiniti QX60 Hybrid, tuned for 250 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque in those applications.
The company says it will offer similar power to the 3.5L V6 that powers the current Murano, which puts out 260hp and 240 lb-ft of torque, while returning the fuel economy of a petrol 2.0L four-cylinder engine. The Murano also weighs several hundred pounds less than the Pathfinder depending on trim and options.
The Murano Hybrid goes on sale in China this summer. While Nissan is reportedly “considering” bringing the Rogue Hybrid to the US, Nissan has not made a similar statement about the Murano Hybrid.
Images by Drew Johnson.
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