Nissan will soon launch its Murano crossover SUV In India. Nissan which is currently selling Teana sedan and X-trail SUV is building a plant jointly with Renault in Chennai. The plant is expected to start production in 2009. Nissan’s Murano might be the only new model between now and the first of the cars to roll out from its plant at Chennai. Murano is powered by the same engine which powers the famous 350Z. The 3.5L 24-valve DOHC V6 petrol produces 265 bhp@6,000 rpm with more than 342.8Nm of maximum torque at 4,400 rpm. The engine is mated to a continuously variable transmission system. Another special with Murano is its real-time 4WD system. Unlike a separate 4WD system that allows for serious off-roading, the Murano’s intelligent system begins with a 50:50 split, which can move to either 100 per cent torque to the front wheels, or 60:40 and 80:20 split options during cornering. Murano would be priced around Rs40 lakhs and Murano will compete with Mitsubishi Montero, BMW X3 and Mercedes M-class.