It’s time for everyone’s favorite game: Guess the Camo Car. This time, we have a challenging one courtesy of 57sweptside, the same reader who sent us amazing camouflaged pictures of the Nismo Z before everyone was supposed to see it. What makes it challenging? Well, it’s a crossover of some sort, the most popular sort of car in America that isn’t a truck. Oh, and it’s shaped like a bean, which describes an awful lot of them. However, I have a hunch that this could be the next Nissan Murano.
So what makes me think this Michigan manufacturer-plate-equipped Zebra is a Nissan? Well, the styling language is very similar to what we’ve already seen on the Ariya. Just look at the sweep of the trim above the greenhouse, the cloaked silhouette of the grille, and the taillight signature. However, there are a few good reasons why this probably isn’t an Infiniti version of the Nissan Ariya.
First up, take a look at those exhaust tips. While it isn’t difficult to fake an exhaust system, turn-downs have some precedent on current Nissan crossovers. Secondly, changing the front door glazing to include a fixed quarter light would be major glazing changes are unlikely given Infinti’s recent product history. Thirdly, the Ariya’s quarter window-like trim is fugazi, it’s just black trim that leads to nowhere. However, it’s clearly glazing on this vehicle because we can see through it. Finally, nothing on the front end is close to Infiniti’s current down-the-road graphic, but it does echo the language of future Nissan products.
Next, let’s look at what’s due for replacement. The Rogue was fresh in 2020 and won’t be going anywhere soon, and the Pathfinder was also recently revamped. The Kicks is getting a replacement, but the scale of this vehicle is far too large to be Nissan’s new baby crossover. The Murano? Well, that thing is going on ten years in its current form, and it uses a whole bunch of outdated technology that Nissan’s likely keen to replace. It’s the last thing Nissan sells with a VQ35DE, for Pete’s sake. Could this mystery vehicle be the next Nissan Murano? It’s a bit early to say for sure, but I’m certainly not saying it’s not the next Murano. In any case, I wouldn’t be surprised if we find out for sure within the next 12 months.
If you happen to see a camouflaged car in the wild, feel free to snap pictures of it and send them in. Our tips line is always open, and we’re always willing to lend an extra set of eyes. For now, hats off to 57sweptside for capturing photos of a rare and elusive beast.
(Photo credits: 57sweptside)
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They should leave that striping on. It’s the most interesting thing that’s happened to crossovers in years.
NO CROSSCABRIOLET, NO CARE
It’s clearly the new Beigemo Boregray LNS223 Indistinguishable Edition with the Poor Life Choices package.
The PLC package is my favorite. I heard that it includes a 96 month, 23% APR loan.
Whatever it is, it’s doing a great job of blending in with the herd.
As a car-nivorous predator, I can barely perceive it as an individual entity.
The best part is it’ll blend in just as well with the camo off.
Yawwwwnnnn
That’s such an awesome aggressive white space with too big wheels and too small windows with horrific outward visibility. Where can I sign up?
Could this zebra striped amorphous blob be the next amorphous blob? Find out next week on Tales of the Current State of the Auto Industry.
My guess? Any 4 door SUV ever. It clearly is a SUV with no different views than any other. What are they hiding an EV?
they’re making a hard top murano crosscabriolet? Guess it takes all kinds
I’m not sure how Michigan does it, but California manufacturer plates all have the same unique number identifying the OEM and a smaller number on the side for the unique car. This and the NismoZ have different manufacturer plates
Do they have the same first 3 numbers?
It’s definitely a Cameo, but the question remains is it a Chevy Cameo or a Toyota Cameo, or a BMW XF4TZi?
They killed the Murano when they made a convertible version; it basically drew attention to how ugly it was. Can’t unsee.
No such thing as an ugly convertible. Okay not a hill I am willing to die on but I will take and DD a convertible Murano if someone gave it to me.
Someone’s forgotten about the Youabian Puma.
https://gtspirit.com/2013/11/21/los-angeles-2013-youabian-puma/
Buy me one I will DD it in good weather.
What an unsightly blob.
Do they even need camo? They could probably drive this around painted normally and literally nobody would have noticed.
Seen one crossover, seen ’em all.
it’s the cybertruck with a wrap, duh!
It isn’t that ugly. Let’s keep our heads on.
Zoom in on the first picture, you can clearly see a Nissan badge under the window. I can’t figure out the size based on these photos, but this looks smaller than a Murano to me. New Rogue Sport/Qashqai?
New Qashqai is already out and looks nothing like this, so maybe they’re doing a rebodied USDM model.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/83/Nissan_Qashqai_%28J12%29_IMG_4897.jpg/2560px-Nissan_Qashqai_%28J12%29_IMG_4897.jpg
It’s an SUV. Or maybe it will be marketed as a Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV). Or maybe a Sports Activity Sedan (SAS).
SUV, SAV or SAS: I don’t care either way. It’s a lump of bland in an automotive landscape of unrelenting dullness, and late to market.
With the Zebra trim, they could call it SAV-VAN-A