Introduction

Nissan came up with the notion of a four-door sports car for marketing purposes, of course, although it must be said that it has actually delivered on the promise now and again. The front-drive Altima represents its current iteration. Although there are a number of thoroughly competent performers in the mid-size-sedan segment, the Altima sedan still manages to stand out by virtue of its eager responses, better-than-average engines, and snappy styling. If four doors seem too stodgy, there’s also a coupe version, added to the lineup for 2008.

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It just so happens that the all-new 2009 Nissan Murano is one of those nondescript mid-size crossover utility vehicles that may blend into the crowd. Its styling is certainly modern, if not overly exciting. The cabin is accommodating, if not excessively spacious. The handling is inspiring, if not unduly sporty. The engine is strong, and even reasonably efficient. How would this perfectly acceptable, yet hardly over-achieving CUV handle five passengers and full luggage on a 1,000-plus mile road trip across the Southwestern desert? Read on to find out.

The task at hand was to deliver three adults and two children, with their overstuffed baggage, round-trip between Los Angeles and Phoenix in the middle of summer. It’s a trip this writer has been doing for more than a decade, but always in a seven-passenger SUV (Chevrolet Suburban, Dodge Durango, Volvo XC90, etc…). Now, in a CUV with seating for five, we wanted to see how we’d fare (without resorting to strapping Aunt Edna to the roof).

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Road & Track just spilled the beans on the new Nissan GT-R Spec V, so we can now share their data with all of you. Thanks guys. While the “regular” GT-R is busy bringing down giants and collecting hardware in the process, the new GT-R Spec V promises to improve on the formula, and probably cure cancer or bring about world peace along the way. Here are the numbers: 2 seats only, 520 hp @ 6500 rpm, 440 lb.-ft. of torque all the way from 3200–5200 rpm, 3615 lbs., ‘Ring laps quicker than 7:30, $130,000 MSRP, early 2009.
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Volkswagen’s adorable little up! has the ambitious goal of becoming the next original Beetle, and new info on Auto Express seems to indicate that the Germans in Wolfsburg may be on to something. The up! will feature both gasoline and diesel-powered engines with a minuscule displacement of only .6 turbocharged liters, and a larger 1.2L three-cylinder engine may be planned, as well.
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Nissan expects buzz to carry GT-R for two years before the hard-core Spec V with potentially 550 hp debuts in the U.S.

Here in the U.S., the hype continues to build in anticipation of the July on-sale date of the 2009 Nissan GT-R. But in Japan, where the car has been on sale since December 2007, it is the Spec V—on sale this December—that has buyers excited.

In North America, be prepared to wait a couple model years for the performance Spec V, which will be lighter, faster, and pricier than the conventional sports car. We expect to learn more of the specifics at the 2008 Paris auto show in September, but heavy use of carbon fiber coupled with some decontenting reportedly will shed anywhere from 220 to 330 pounds. Visually, the Spec V has a new front splitter and tweaked rear spoiler. A modified suspension sits in between, and the car has distinctive spoke wheels.

Larry Dominique, Nissan North America vice president in charge of product planning, says he wants to see how the regular GT-R plays out and save the Spec V for when the buzz dies down and demand starts to fall off. Read more »