Los Angeles motor show - Nissan Murano

The Nissan Murano compact 4x4 could be available with a turbodiesel engine for the first time when the all-new model arrives in Europe late next year.

A company insider admitted that the car 'has been engineered to take a diesel' - believed to be the new Renault-Nissan Alliance 3.0-litre V6 engine.

The new car was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show yesterday with a developed version of the 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine used in the current model, mated to a revised continuously variable automatic gearbox.

The car has a new platform shared with the Altima range (not sold in Europe) and will be available with front- as well as four-wheel drive.

On UK models the current car drives all four wheels, but both versions of the newcomer could be offered to silence the anti-4x4 lobby. It is a tactic that has worked well with the smaller Qashqai 4x4 lookalike.

The four-wheel-drive system is the latest version from the Nissan X-Trail and is said to react to changes in road conditions in a tenth of a second to provide superior stability and traction. Improved dry-weather roadholding is also claimed.

A stiffer body and lightweight all-independent suspension supposedly give better handling and a quieter ride.

The cabin trim materials have been upgraded, while every exterior body panel is new without diluting the appearance that remains one of the current Murano's key attractions.

A foldaway cargo organiser, touch-screen navigation system and powered folding rear seats are new features on the second-generation Murano.