When the rumor turns real...

I first read about this two years ago and passed it off as a rumor... But two years later, it seems real.

Quote Originally Posted by Motorcrave
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Organizers of the LA Auto Show announced today that this year’s show will welcome 20 model debuts from European, Japanese and American manufacturers. They didn’t get into many details, but other reports today indicate that the 2011 Nissan Quest, a Porsche Cayman Clubsport and a 2012 Nissan Murano convertible will be among the debuts.


Yes, you read that last one correctly–a Murano convertible. The convertible, which is expected to top the Murano line, will lose two doors and feature a soft-top.

The Cayman Clubsport is a lighter Cayman that will lose about 175 lbs. It will feature a duck-tail spoiler, lowered suspension and Clubsport graphics, and will make it into production next year.
Quote Originally Posted by Insideline
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Maybe you thought we were nuts when we told you not once, not twice, but thrice, that Nissan was going to build a two-door convertible version of its Murano crossover. But it's true. It's for real. And the 2012 Nissan Murano Convertible will debut at the 2010 LA Auto Show in November... with or without without the basket handle on this rendering.

It will go on sale in the early spring of 2011, just in time for you take advantage of the first annual crossover convertible driving season.

For sure, turning a midsize crossover SUV into a convertible is a strange move by Nissan, especially in lean economic times. Even if the design ends up being utterly gorgeous, the drop-top Murano will be a niche seller at best. Should we give Nissan credit for taking a risk and creating something new and interesting, or declare the Murano convertible DOA?
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