"This is the first time that Nissan's Cranfield-based Technical Centre Europe has produced such a concept, and it speaks volumes for our ability to respond quickly and effectively to customer demand," explains Jerry Hardcastle, the director of Customer Oriented Engineering at Nissan’s Technical Centre Europe.
Central to the Murano GT-C’s dynamic appeal is its muscular new turbo-charged engine. In the GT-C, the Murano’s all-aluminium 3498cc V6 engine is breathed on by a single Garrett turbo-charger. The hybrid turbo is a bespoke unit created for this application, and features a turbine from a Garrett T3 and a compressor from a Garrett T4.
The engine employs an advanced air to water charge cooling system, which both lowers the temperature and increases the density of the air drawn into the combustion chambers to boost combustion efficiency.
The turbo housing itself is isolated with advanced Darchem heat-shielding sandwich material to further regulate temperatures. The engine’s 10.3:1 compression ratio remains unchanged, and volumetric efficiency is also enhanced by the engine’s variable valve timing on both inlet and outlet camshafts.
To facilitate the turbo installation, the battery is now housed in the spare rear well in the boot, and the engine is fitted with an acoustically tuned stainless steel exhaust system with four tailpipes to optimise back pressure. Naturally, the exhaust’s closed loop feedback system with three-way catalyst remains unaffected by these enhancements.
The 24 valve engine now produces a hefty 340PS at 6000rpm, and an equally impressive 265lb ft of torque at a low 3600rpm – enough to rocket the 1885kg Murano GT-C (a mere 20kg over the standard Murano) to 60mph in an estimated 7.0seconds and on to a top speed of 140mph. Impressive as these on-paper figures are, it’s the Murano GT-C’s powerful in-gear acceleration that impresses most – with that deep reservoir of torque, the Murano GT-C delivers instant and effortless overtaking acceleration throughout the rev-range.
To match this performance, the Murano GT-C’s MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension is fitted with uprated Bilstein mono-tube dampers, shorter and 35% stiffer coil springs – which lower the ride height by 25mm – as well as recalibrated front suspension kinematics to enhance cornering turn-in and improve steering feedback.
"The goal behind these upgrades is to enhance the Murano’s nimbleness without losing any of its supple long-distance ride comfort. In other words, it will still get a glint in its eye when it’s hustled down a mountain pass, but won’t loosen your fillings when tackling Britain’s craggy blacktop," explains Hardcastle.
The Murano GT-C is fitted with a bespoke AP Racing brake system that’s more than capable of handling the engine’s performance boost. At the front, large 362mm two-piece rotors are gripped by powerful six-pot callipers, while at the rear four-pot callipers grasp single piece 330mm discs. All four rotors are vented and grooved for improved heat dissipation. The Murano’s advanced ABS anti-lock system and ESP electronic stability programme remain unchanged.
Mated to the Murano’s slick computer-controlled X-Tronic CVT transmission and intuitive ALL-MODE electronic all-wheel drive system, the GT-C delivers effortless acceleration and taut, driver-focused responses, irrespective of the weather or road conditions.
Painted in Nissan’s Kuro Black paint, the Murano GT-C features front grille, wing mirrors, door handles, headlamp interiors and badging covered in a clear and deep black/bronze Dupont lacquer. The front air intakes are faced in stainless woven steel mesh and the redesigned rear bumper houses those four chamfered exhaust pipes.
Unique 22inch five-spoke two-piece lightweight alloy wheels, shod with Dunlop SP Sport Maxx ZR 265/35 profile tyres fill the Murano GT-C’s bold wheel arches, and that aerodynamically tuned rear wing further underscores the Nissan’s sporting credentials.
The central sections of the Murano’s low-slung and electrically adjustable front seats have been trimmed in perforated Strathspey leather, from Andrew Muirhead in Scotland, Europe’s oldest and most distinguished tannery. This hand-stitched honey-coloured waxed matt leather is also used on the rear seats, the centre of the seat headrests, the elbow pads in the door, the top and bottom quadrants of the steering wheel and the recesses of the footwells.
The organic Strathspey leather is offset by the tan Glove material that’s used above the belt-line to cover the headlining and pillars. Like the leather, this advanced man-made fibre is hand-stitched.
That striking exterior black/bronze lacquer is carried through to the cabin, where it’s used to coat the door’s step sills and the lids of the central stowage console. The black/bronze hue is further accented by the GT-C’s grab handles, coat hooks and interior light surrounds that are all coated in a soft-touch tan finish.
The Murano GT-C comes with its own bespoke occasional leather bag. Hand-crafted from the same Strathspey leather and Glove material used in the cabin, the case – ideal for a lap-top computer or travel documents – fits perfectly into the Murano’s deep centre console stowage compartment.
And in tribute to its name – Murano is an island off the Venetian coast in Italy famed for its hand-crafted blue glass – the GT-C features a gearlever and centre console trinket tray fashioned from hand-blown Murano blue and clear glass. These two striking features are further enhanced by the ambient blue lighting from light-emitting diodes secreted at the apex of the B-pillar and beneath the seats.
And the extravagant specification of the standard road-going Murano – automatic climate control, bi-xenon headlamps, colour reversing camera, a seven-speaker, 225W Bose audio system, six airbags, advanced electronic traction and braking aids and ‘Birdview’ DVD satellite navigation – means the Murano GT-C driver will want for nothing.
"Although the GT-C is a concept," says Hardcastle, "we wanted to make it as production feasible as possible. So bar a few minor trim changes, what you see is what you would get - if the GT-C gets production approval."
