New Gear
NISSAN CUVS AND SUVS ROCK!
07.10.12
Did you know Nissan makes luxurious, yet affordable crossover utility (CUVs) and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) that are perfect family-friendly cars and trucks for the OC lifestyle? We recently road tested three Nissan vehicles – the 2012 Nissan Murano, the 2012 Nissan Armada and the 2012 Nissan Rogue – on weeklong drives through coastal Orange County to discover the pros and cons of the Nissan experience.
The 2012 Nissan Murano may be one of the most functional family vehicles on the market today. Why? Because this five-seat CUV brings everything together: style, performance, comfort, safety and decent gas mileage. Need luxury? We tested the new 2012 Nissan Murano Platinum edition, which features gorgeous 20-inch aluminum wheels, Nissan’s super cool auto infotainment system and a gleaming sapphire black exterior paint color. Need performance? All 2012 Murano CUVs come equipped standard with an aggressive and fun-to-drive 3.5-liter 260 hp V6 engine (with an electronic all-wheel-drive system and stability control). Outside, the 2012 Murano has a rather contemporary feel for a CUV with its chrome grille, widely-spaced head lamps, powerful wheel arches and rear roof spoiler. Inside, the 2012 Murano is a luxe cocoon filled with gadgets that make driving wonderful from a 7-inch infotainment screen to power lift gates to wood accents to the 60/40 flat-fold seats to standard XM satellite radio. From the beach to school to cruising into the valet station at one of OC’s oceanfront hotels, the 2012 Nissan Murano gets you there in comfort and style!
Need a full-sized SUV for driving around a big family or perhaps for road trips to your mountain cabin? Think Armada (and its 9,000-lb. hauling capacity!). Like the 2012 Murano, the 2012 Nissan Armada is an all-around functional vehicle for those seeking a luxurious truck that can also be considered the work-a-day family car. We felt very lucky to have road tested the 2012 Nissan Armada Platinum edition, which comes fully loaded with such niceties as heated front and second row seats, power moon roof, heated steering wheel, navigation system with XM NavTraffic and DVD family entertainment system (for quiet while driving!). All 2012 Armada models come equipped with a kick ass 5.6-liter 317 hp V8 engine and a five-speed automatic transmission. The exterior may seem bulky, but the design also feels progressive and modern. The interior is extremely large with every comfort imaginable from loads of legroom in all three rows to front bucket seats with lumbar support to a highly-functional front console with specialized storage areas for pens, tissues, CDs, smartphones, beverages and even a 12-volt power outlet. Armada definitely delivers the ultimate SUV experience for families who need a truck to haul a crowd (or heavy equipment).
Nissan’s Rogue is a compact CUV for families who don’t mind sacrificing luxury for a low sticker price. Luckily, the 2012 Rogue has some of the same sleek exterior styling as the Murano. Inside, the 2012 Nissan Rogue looks like a ruggedly simple vehicle set to take you just about anywhere. For 2012, the “special edition” comes with steering wheel audio controls, rear view monitor, a 4.3-inch audio display, USB connectivity, satellite radio, fog lights and privacy glass. What about performance? The 2012 Rogue comes standard with a 2.5-liter 170 hp inline four-cylinder engine. And while the acceleration on the 2012 Rogue doesn’t excite so much, the gas mileage does at 28 mpg hwy and 22 mpg city. Plus, the 2012 Nissan Rogue can also be outfitted in all the luxury and comfort amenities of Murano and Armada, including Bluetooth connectivity, XM satellite radio, navigation system, rear view monitor, Xenon head lamps and Bose audio system.
Still considering Nissan for your next CUV or SUV purchase? Go check out all the 2012 models at your nearby Nissan dealer and take a test drive for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.
Dining
BRING ON THE BOUILLABASSE!
07.10.12
We love France and we love South Coast Plaza’s Marché Moderne, so what better way to celebrate Bastille Day than by savoring a true Marseillaise-style bouillabaisse. Served for only eight nights (from July 12-19), this celebrated seafood stew from the South of France really does feature fish caught off the coast of Nice, Marseilles and Toulon and air-shipped to the restaurant for next day delivery.
Chef-owner Florent Marneau’s bouillabasse is made with rouget, Saint Pierre, dorade grise, rascasse and sèche, plus octopus, scallops, mussels, clams and shrimp. Seafood may change from day to day depending on the catch. This regional specialty also contains fennel, potato and tomate rôti and is finished with an aromatic broth.Chef's accompaniments served on the side are rouille, croutons, basil-scented tomato tartare, fennel pollen emulsion, lemon-garlic emulsion and tapenade. The special is priced at $50 and is available at dinner only.
In keeping with the French theme, apéritifs of Dubonnet, Pernod, Ricard, Cardinal and Kir vin blanc are featured as well for the annual French freedom holiday. Château Saint-Martin Rosé de Provence ($13) is a recommended pairing with Bouillabaisse.
Marché Moderne, The Penthouse at South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 714.434.7900, http://www.marchemoderne.net/
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