Over the next 15 months, Nissan will be rolling out 5 all-new
models. As the brand strives to take over 10 percent of the total market
share in the next few years, it has got a lot riding on these new cars,
which will make up the bulk of Nissan’s sales. First up is the new 2013
Altima, which we were invited to drive in Nashville, where the
company’s North American headquarters are located. For us, this
opportunity to drive the new sedan is like a small glimpse into the
future, so we headed down to Music City to try out this automotive
crystal ball.
Of course, the first thing one will notice is the Altima’s new
look. It’s about an inch wider and an inch longer, with a lower roofline
than before, giving it a more planted stance. The sheetmetal is much
more evocative, with strong lines and creases. To us, it looks as though
it has taken some cues from big brother Maxima, and it feels like the
Altima has grown up a bit. We have some reservations about the use of
chrome on the exterior, particularly the one line across the rear of the
car, but it doesn’t project the level of gaudiness sometimes seen on
its American counterparts. We’ll let prospective customers make
judgments about the car’s appearance, but we think most will find this
to be a nice step forward for the Altima, with a useful infusion of some
personality.
The fundamentals of the car have been updated as well, particularly
in the powertrain. The Altima’s 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine
has been redesigned, and is lighter and more efficient than that of the
outgoing vehicle. In driving, we were pleasantly surprised by the ample
and smooth accelerative feel of the motor’s 182 horsepower and 180
pound-feet of torque (up from 175/180). Especially considering the
mileage this engine metes out (27/38 miles per gallon, estimated), it
seems a quite capable and good fit for the new car.
Process that for a minute: 2,500 revs = 100 mph in a 2.5-liter normally aspirated four-door kinshlepper. This, friends, is impressive. We first verified the figure for ourselves during a prototype drive at Nissan's Arizona proving grounds back in March. More real-world numbers include 2,000 rpm at 80 mph and just 1,450 rpm at 60 mph. Credit the Altima's Continuously Variable Transmission, which has been extensively reworked for this new model. Seventy percent of the transmission's parts are new, and internal friction has been reduced by up to 40 percent through a battery of small tricks including redesigned internals swimming in lower viscosity oil. The transmission has a super-wide 7.0 gear ratio spread and reprogrammed control logic to help the keep all four pots on boil as necessary.
There are all the high-tech and safety features you’d expect, but the
top one involves filling the tires with air. The horn beeps when the
recommended tire pressure is reached — very helpful at gas stations that
offer just a hose and no pressure gauge.
The “Storm Blue” SL model with the V-6 that I drove would go out the
door for $32,620 with options including a navigation system with seven-
inch color display screen, and blind-spot and lane-departure warning
among other extras. That price also includes shipping.
The Altima should begin arriving at dealers in early July from plants in
Smyrna, Tenn., and Canton Miss. A base-model four will start at
$21,500, rising to $22,500 for the midrange S model and $24,100 for the
top-of-the-line SV. Prices for the V-6 start at $25,360.
My early choice would be the more-refined V-6 that transformed the
Altima into a nice, almost luxury automobile. Drivers on a tighter
budget should find the four to be an excellent choice.
While a more extended weeklong drive may reveal some shortcomings, my
initial impression is that the new Altima will offer a stiff challenge
to its rivals, especially one of my faves in this category, the Accord.source:windingroad.com,autoblog.com,marketwatch.com
