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The Altima (pronounced ALL-teemah) is a mid-size car currently being manufactured by the Japanese automaker Nissan, and is arguably a continuation of the "bloodline" that began with the Nissan Bluebird in 1957. It is larger, has more features, and is more expensive than the Nissan Sentra compact car; but is cheaper, less luxuriously appointed, and offers less powerful engines than the Nissan Maxima sports sedan. It competes with the Chrysler Sebring, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Mazda6, Mitsubishi Galant and Toyota Camry.
In addition to North America, the Altima is available in the Middle East. In other markets, Nissan sells a related mid-size sedan called the Nissan Teana, built on the same FF-L platform.
The Altima name was originally a trim line of the Nissan Laurel mid-size car sold in the Caribbean before 1992. In 1993, Nissan discontinued its much-criticized Stanza compact car, replacing it with the US-made Altima, originally as a compact car. The very first Altima rolled off the assembly line on June 15, 1992 as a 1993 model. Until June 2004, all Altimas had been built in Smyrna, Tennessee. However, in June 2004, Nissan's Canton, Mississippi, plant began producing additional Altimas to meet high demand.
The fourth generation Altima was announced at the 2006 New York Auto Show on April 12, 2006. It is the first vehicle to use the smaller Nissan D platform, with a new front and upgraded rear suspension. The wheelbase is 1 inch shorter than the third generation Altima, but interior space is mostly unchanged. The Maxima and Murano will continue on the larger FF-L platform.
The 2007 Altima uses revised versions of the engines in the third generation model. The VQ35DE 3.5 L V6 engine will produce 270 hp, and the QR25DE 2.5 L I4 will produce 175 hp.[1] A 6-speed manual is standard, and a continuously variable transmission replaces the traditional automatic as the optional transmission. The Altima is the first product based on the new Nissan D platform, co-developed with Renault. The 2007 Altima sports some more recent innovations in the market, including, but not limited to, "push-button start" (Called "Renault Card"), Bluetooth capability for cell phones and a parking camera.
An Altima coupe is scheduled for a 2007 summer release, as a 2008 model, and will compete against the Toyota Camry Solara, Honda Accord coupe and Pontiac G6 coupe.
First officially revealed at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show, the 2008 Altima Coupe is Nissan's first-ever two-door Altima. It has a shorter wheelbase, shorter overall length and lower height than the Altima Sedan.
The 2008 Altima Coupe will be available with two engines: The VQ35HR, a 270-horsepower 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC V6 or the QR25DE, a 175-horsepower 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve inline 4-cylinder.
Nissan entered an agreement with rival Toyota to use some of its hybrid technology in the new Altima for the 2007 model year. The Altima Hybrid Electric is Nissan's first hybrid car. The company has asserted that subsequent hybrid models will be based on hybrid technology developed in-house. Up to 40,000 per year will be built at Nissan's Smyrna plant. Sales of the hybrid model are limited to California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont for the 2007 model year, with other states possible in subsequent years.
The Hybrid Altima features a 2.5 L QR25DE engine, CVT and electric motor/generator.
Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Altima |
