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And although movie makers, journalists and chess masters all searched for Bobby Fischer, I´m not aware of anyone lamenting the absence of a 2008 Murano.

But certainly someone had to notice that Nissan didn´t make one, particularly since it had been such a popular vehicle since its introduction. The original Murano appeared in 2003 as a 2004 model. Containing more slinky curves than a rattlesnake roundup, it was a big hit right out of the gate and posted higher sales figures each model year through 2007.

Then it pulled a Fischer and vanished. Nissan didn´t offer a 2008 model as it worked on the second-generation 2009 Murano.

That model debuted in January 2008. Although it sports a new body, new interior and several mechanical updates, the changes are more evolutionary than revolutionary. So even the silent few who might have noticed Murano´s absence might not realize that the 2009 model represents the vehicle´s second generation.

Nissan gave Murano a new skin, but unless the 2009 and one of its predecessors are side-by-side the changes can be as tough to spot as chocolate lab in a mud pit. The front grille and taillights are probably the most conspicuous changes, but there´s also a new hood, headlights and rear window among other modifications.

Inside, it´s a similar story. Nissan did a wonderful job upgrading everything, giving a Murano a more luxurious and upscale look and feel. But despite a new dashboard and switchgear, ambient lighting and genuine wood or aluminum trim, even owners of earlier models won´t feel like they´re exploring a new world inside the ´09 Murano.

Other examples of Nissan´s evolutionary approach can be found under the Murano´s hood and in its chassis.

The chassis is based on that of Nissan´s latest Altima sedan, just as it was on the first-generation Murano. That gives the ´09 Murano a new suspension, body structure and steering system.

This results in incrementally better ride and handling. The steering feels precise and predictable, and cornering grip is good. The new Murano seemed to have more body lean and float than earlier models, but that doesn´t seem to make it any less controllable even on winding back roads.

Yet there´s a noticeable improvement in ride comfort. The old Murano wasn´t uncomfortable, but the ´09 is downright cushy.

There are noticeable improvements under the hood, too. The latest version of Nissan´s venerable and revered 3.5-liter V6 delivers 265 horsepower and 248 foot pounds of torque with all the fluidity and responsiveness countless Nissan and Infiniti owners have come to expect from the company´s popular power plant.

Those horsepower and torque figures represent increases of 25 and four, respectively. That´s enough to be noticed when you mash the throttle, but not enough to adversely impact the Murano´s fuel economy.

Despite having more power than its predecessor, the new Murano earns approximately the same EPA mileage rating. And that actually means it gets better mileage because the EPA made its ratings system more realistic (translation: less ambitious) following the 2007 model year.

The 2009 model´s 18 city/23 highway mile-per-gallon EPA rating -- for both the front- and all-wheel drive modes -- is about as good as anything in the Murano´s class -- and better than most competitors´ AWD models.

Most of the credit for Murano´s fuel mileage improvement probably goes to Nissan´s second-generation continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Nissan has been a pioneer in CVT technology, which replaces a conventional transmission´s sets of gears with variable diameter pulleys.

Instead of switching gear sets, the CVT changes final drive ratios by varying the interplay between the pulleys. This eliminates the shudder that sometimes accompanies gear changes in conventional automatics.

In theory, a CVT also can produce better fuel efficiency because it has an infinite number of gear ratios from which to choose for any given driving situation.

The problem with most CVTs, however, is that they seem to moan and groan in operation and don´t deliver the immediate punch of conventional automatics while accelerating from a standstill or passing on the highway.

Nissan seems to have eliminated those shortcomings with the Murano´s new CVT, which most drivers will find indistinguishable from a conventional automatic.

To the casual observer, the new Murano itself might also seem indistinguishable from its predecessor. But those who take some time to look more carefully will discover a crossover that´s even more desirable than its esteemed predecessor.

Scott Wasser is executive editor of MaineToday Media. He writes a weekly auto column for the Press Herald and The Wilkes-Barre (Pa.) Times Leader. He can be contacted at

swasser@pressherald.com

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