NISSAN CrossCabriolet 2011-2014 Photos, engines & full specs

Nissan tried to make a smart marketing move and introduced an open-top version of its well-known Murano SUV in 2011, but the model was ill-fated and didn't last too long.

Big automakers sometimes try different ways to expand their lineups. Sometimes they fail, while other times, they enjoy big successes and, as a result, high incomes in their bank accounts. Vehicles such as the Mercedes-Benz CLS, BMW X6, or Cadillac Escalade EXT were just a few examples of that. Nissan tried its luck by chopping the roof of a Murano, making it with two doors, and calling it Cross Cabriolet. In addition, the Japanese automaker stated that it was the first crossover convertible on the market. That might be true if you consider that the term "crossover" was not invented yet when the Willys-Overland CJ2A appeared on the market in 1945.

Nissan kept the same front fascia as on the 2007 Nissan Murano, with its chromed trims on the grille and the bulky front bumper. Its triangular headlights, swept-back on the sides, created an image of a sporty vehicle. The Cross Cabriolet version, on the other hand, revealed a completely new profile. Its windshield was even more rakish than on its regular sibling. Also, the automaker didn't want to install a B-pillar. Finally, the back resembled the rear end of a 350Z sports car.

The Cross Cabriolet was a one-trim-level affair, the LE. It boasted an interior in standard diagonally quilted premium leather with a double-stitched pattern. There were three wood trims available that matched the car's exterior color, adding more premium flavor to the vehicle. The infotainment system featured a screen placed atop the center stack, and its menu and functions were accessible via a keypad.

Under the hood, Nissan installed the same drivetrain as on the rest of the Murano's range, with a 3.5-liter V6 that sent its power in all corners via a CVT.