Nissan Murano named one of WardsAuto World's "10 Best Interiors" of 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nearly a year after it was officially unveiled, good news continues to roll in for the all-new 2015 Nissan Murano. WardsAuto World named the Murano to its annual "Ward's 10 Best Interiors" list for 2015. The Murano will be honored at the WardsAuto Interiors Conference on Wednesday, May 13, at the Cobo Center in Detroit.

To select "Ward's 10 Best Interiors," editors spent two months evaluating 42 vehicles during their routine commutes in and around metro Detroit. Editors then submitted score sheets ranking the entries on features such as ergonomics, driver information, fit-and-finish, materials, value, safety, comfort and design harmony.

"First time I saw the new Murano interior, I was blown away by the pearlescent film that's used to lovely effect on the doors, instrument panel, center console and armrest," said Tom Murphy, executive editor,WardsAuto World. "The rest of the interior is brilliantly executed as well, from the smooth, flowing lines of the instrument panel to the ample cargo hold. Beige interiors often are perceived as boring, but this one is stylish and contemporary while achieving a serenity uncommon among midsize CUVs."

The all-new third-generation Murano features modern styling, premium interior and advanced, purposeful technology. The breakthrough exterior design projects a sense of refined intensity, creating an immediate "wow" response, while delivering a low 0.31 drag coefficient. The breakthrough exterior design carries into the interior, which offers an engaging social lounge feel through features such as the refined instrument panel, low center console, advanced NASA-inspired Zero Gravity front and outboard rear seating, and the airy atmosphere created by the large windows and oversized Power Panoramic Moonroof.

"The 2015 Murano has been a great success for Nissan on many levels," said Fred Diaz, senior vice president, Nissan Sales & Marketing and Operations U.S., Nissan North America, Inc. "We are truly honored to receive this recognition from WardsAuto."

Premium features and driver assistance technologies abound in the 2015 Murano, including available NissanConnect^SM with Navigation and Mobile Apps, 8-inch color display with multi-touch control, rear USB port with smartphone interface, Around View® Monitor with Moving Object Detection (MOD), Nissan Intelligent Key® with Push Button Ignition, 11-speaker Bose® premium audio system, Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW), Forward Emergency Braking (FEB), Driver Attention Alert (DAA)* and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).

Every 2015 Murano comes with a standard 260-horsepower 3.5-liter DOHC V6 connected to an advanced Xtronic transmission. Fuel economy has increased 20 percent (over the previous generation) for combined mpg and is rated at 21/28/24 mpg city/highway/combined for both front-wheel and all-wheel drive models.

The 2015 Murano is offered in four trim levels – S, SV, SL and Platinum – and in a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The starting Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)* for the Murano S FWD is $29,560 USD, while the top-of-the-line Murano Platinum AWD is priced at $40,600 USD (full pricing is available at NissanNews.com).

For two weeks beginning April 27, the Murano and other winners will be profiled on WardsAuto.com. To view the complete "Ward's 10 Best Interiors" list, please visit http://wardsauto.com/2015-wards-10-best-interiors

Nissan begins production of eighth-generation Maxima “4-door Sports Car” in Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nissan's Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant continues its reign as the top-producing automotive plant in North America, as Gov. Bill Haslam, U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander and Tennessee Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd joined plant employees to celebrate the start of production for the all-new 2016 Nissan Maxima.

"When Nissan came to Tennessee more than 30 years ago, there were almost no auto jobs in the state," said Alexander. "Three decades later, about one-third of our manufacturing jobs are auto related, auto suppliers have located in 80 counties, and our family incomes are higher. I want to thank Nissan for providing opportunities for thousands of talented Tennesseans."

The first U.S.-assembled Maxima rolled off the assembly line in Smyrna in January 2003. Since then, Nissan has produced nearly 800,000 Maxima sedans at the plant, with more than 60,000 shipped to markets worldwide. Maxima is one of six models currently built at the Smyrna plant and is assembled on the same line as the Altima midsize sedan and all-electric Nissan LEAF. Maxima's new 3.5-liter, VQ-series V6 engine is also assembled in Tennessee at Nissan's Decherd Powertrain Plant.

"With today's launch, Nissan and Tennessee begin another chapter in their long and successful partnership defined by high quality vehicles and the innovation of its workforce," said Haslam. "We want to thank Nissan for continuing to invest here, helping build Tennessee's reputation as a leading automotive manufacturing state."

The eighth generation of Nissan's iconic "4-Door Sports Car" combines 300-horsepower performance with a bold exterior design, premium interior cockpit and an extensive range of safety, security and driving aids, including Predictive Forward Collision Warning, Forward Emergency Braking, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Blind Spot Warning. It also features Nissan's new Driver Attention Alert system, which monitors steering input patterns to help alert the driver when drowsy or inattentive driving is detected. The 2016 Maxima will be available at U.S. Nissan dealerships this summer.

"Today's launch of the all-new Maxima is the beginning of an exciting year for Nissan's U.S. line-up, with new versions of the Altima, Sentra and TITAN due later this year," said John Martin, Nissan's senior vice president, Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management and Purchasing. "New models produced at our U.S. plants in Smyrna, Tennessee and Canton, Mississippi helped to propel Nissan to nearly 1.4 million sales in the U.S. in 2014, and vehicles like the all-new Maxima will help us eclipse that record this year."

The Nissan Smyrna Plant began operations in 1983 and employs more than 8,400 people. In 2014, the Smyrna plant assembled more than 648,000 vehicles, making it the highest-producing automotive assembly plant in North America. Smyrna employees currently build the award-winning Altima, Maxima, all-electric LEAF, Rogue crossover, Pathfinder SUV and Infiniti QX60 luxury crossover.