Meaning of a Dream

Another year, another price hike for the ridiculously awesome Nissan GT-R. When the GT-R was introduced for the 2008 model year, it had a starting price of $69,850, increasing steadily each year up to $96,820 for 2013, and now Nissan has announced that the 2014 GT-R will have a base sticker price of $99,590 (*not including the destination charge, which has not been announced yet).

More than just a simple price hike, the 2014 GT-R gets some upgrades, continuing the model's other longstanding tradition – continuous improvement. While there has been no increase in power, Nissan says the 545-horsepower, twin-turbo V6 now has better response in its mid- and upper-rpm ranges. Nissan has also improved the car's handling, giving it different shock absorbers, springs and a reworked front anti-roll bar, along with "increased body rigidity," though it doesn't specify how the latter is accomplished. The changes are said to lower the coupe's center of gravity and further improve its (already spectacular) handling. A few styling tweaks include the addition of a Premium Interior Package offering hand-stitched red leather seats, a color pattern for the steering wheel on the $109,300 GT-R Black Edition and an engraved aluminum plate showing the owner who built their car's engine.

Along with the announcement of the 2014 GT-R, Nissan also released details for the 2014 Murano CrossCabriolet. The big – but not surprising – news is that Nissan has lowered the price of its slow-selling crossover convertible to $41,995, representing a price drop of just over $2,500. Aside from price, model year changes include two new exterior colors and redesigned 20-inch wheels.

Scroll down for the press release for both the GT-R and the Murano CrossCab.
Nissan Announces U.S. Pricing for 2014 GT-R and 2014 Murano CrossCabriolet

FRANKLIN, Tenn. – Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) today announced U.S. pricing for the 2014 Nissan GT-R and 2014 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet. Both vehicles are on sale now at Nissan dealers nationwide.

For the 2014 model year, Nissan builds on GT-R's already legendary status through increased performance, higher levels of craftsmanship and an all-new optional Premium interior, which features hand-stitched Amber Red semi-aniline leather appointments (front seats only). In addition, torque response at middle RPM range (4500~6000 rpm) and acceleration at high RPM's (above 6000 rpm) have been improved versus the 2013 GT-R.

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices* (MSRP) for the 2014 Nissan GT-R include:

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices* (MSRP) for the 2014 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet include:

Among the notable modifications are improved engine response in the mid- and upper-rpm ranges, increased body rigidity and specification changes to the shock absorbers, front anti-roll bar and springs that result in a lower center of gravity. The result is improved high-speed handling and more refined ride comfort. As in previous years the GT-R engine is hand-assembled in a special clean room – for 2014 an aluminum nameplate is added to each engine showing the name of the individual engine builder.

Other changes include the addition of a new Premium Interior Package, which features hand-stitched Amber Red semi-aniline leather appointments (front seats only). A new red-accented steering wheel is added to Black Edition models.

The interior again features sculpted performance bucket seats for an optimal driving position and a cockpit-style instrument panel with a large center-mounted tachometer and multi-function display – which includes mechanical and driving information, as well as an on-board driving recorder. A specially designed 11-speaker Bose® sound system – which provides sound quality suitable for a supercar, is standard – along with a RearView Monitor.

The 2014 Nissan GT-R is offered in two models – GT-R Premium and the GT-R Black Edition with special lightweight black aluminum forged RAYS® wheels, unique red and black interior, Recaro® leather-appointed seats and a unique dry carbon fiber rear spoiler.

About the 2014 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet
The 2014 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet continues to provide a unique, all-season perspective on driving as the world's first all-wheel drive crossover convertible. The Murano CrossCabriolet's designers rethought the convertible experience by rethinking the trunk – giving it an extraordinarily engineered, fully automatic cloth convertible top that folds to about the size of a 2-seat roadster top. As a result, there's ample room for four adults and plenty of cargo space with the top up or down.

Two new exterior colors are offered: Midnight Garnet and Gun Metallic, along with carryover colors Super Black and Pearl White. The standard 20-inch split 5-spoke titanium finish aluminum-alloy wheels have also been redesigned.

Inside, the luxurious interior starts with the foundation of the top-of-the-line Murano LE AWD and takes it to the next level of standard features and convenience. Premium materials are used throughout, with standard leather-appointed seats, unique wood-tone trim tuned to match each of three available interior colors (Black, Cashmere and Camel), and available premium double-stitched pattern leather-appointed seating. Every CrossCabriolet also comes with standard Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, Bose® premium audio system, SiriusXM Satellite Radio (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately) and RearView Monitor. An advanced Nissan Navigation System with NavTraffic Real-Time Traffic Information (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately), Bluetooth® Streaming Audio, Voice Recognition and 7-inch VGA touch screen is also available.

The Murano CrossCabriolet shares its drivetrain with the hardtop Murano – starting with the proven "D" platform and standard 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC V6 producing 265 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a second-generation Xtronic CVT® with Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) for sporty response and smoothness. All 2013 Murano CrossCabriolets include Nissan's intuitive all-wheel drive system.

Standard safety features include the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual stage supplemental front air bags, front seat side-impact supplemental air bags, door-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags, front seat Active Head Restraints, and Dual Pop-up Roll Bars for rear passengers.

About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, design, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010 and has been recognized as a 2010 and 2011 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information about Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.Infiniti.com.

With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of fuel-efficient and low-emissions vehicles under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. A pioneer in zero emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades including the prestigious 2011 European Car of the Year award.

For more information on our products, services and commitment to Sustainable Mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

About Nissan
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 248,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4.8 million vehicles in 2011, generating revenue of 9.4 trillion yen ($118.95 billion US). With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of 64 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. A pioneer in zero-emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades, including the prestigious 2011-2012 Car of the Year Japan and 2011 World Car of the Year awards.