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| 2013 Nissan Altima |
No secret that it was largely luck that vaulted gross sales of the Nissan Altima past the Honda Accord and to inside spitting distance of the Toyota Camry within the hotly contested midsize sedan segment. Mother Nature's dangerous luck struck Honda and Toyota disproportionately last yr simply as economically shell-shocked patrons started venturing back into showrooms. Nissan and Hyundai/Kia reaped the benefits because the gross sales race tightened to the point that the highest six nameplates in the phase wound up with a market-share level-spread of just six points, down from sixteen or extra in a typical year. Transaction prices have tightened up similarly. This 12 months Nissan is standing on the fuel attempting to carry or enhance its position with its all-new 2013 Nissan Altima, however of course it will likely be joined by a equally rejuvenated Accord, Fusion, and Malibu. The Camry and Passat were new last year.
Like the NV vans, Pathfinder, and Infiniti JX, the fifth-generation 2013 Altima sedan has been engineered from the ground up for America in Farmington Hills, Michigan. It will likely be inbuilt Mississippi and Tennessee for export to forty five countries and now shares its D-platform underpinnings with the Japanese-market Teana. (The present-gen coupe continues through subsequent year.) Relative to the outgoing Altima, the wheelbase is unchanged but the rear monitor is widened slightly, the automotive is 0.8 inch longer, and 1.three inches wider. In depth use of extremely-high-strength metal means the physique construction -- already among the many featheriest within the section -- weighs in 79 kilos lighter (roughly 3100-3200 kilos relying on configuration) and is 30-% more rigid. We're additionally informed to anticipate greatest-in-class acceleration, and dealing with targeted not on the aggressive set, but at such luminary sedans because the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class.
A front-driver tilting at rear-drive German sport sedans? We'll consider it when we feel it, but the rear suspension does break some new ground. The multi-hyperlink design options a normal upper lateral link and a lower setup that mimics an A-arm composed of two pieces, every of which provides stiff resistance to lateral masses (as in onerous cornering), while the brace across the A is softly jointed to allow some passive toe-angle management and helpful dynamic rear steering. Additionally, the Sachs dampers are tuned like the M37's to provide smooth trip over small-amplitude bumps and a lot more management when the wheel actually begins jouncing. As well as, Nissan has additionally added what it's calling Lively Understeer Control, software program designed to brake the within entrance wheels throughout cornering when needed to increase yaw-second, serving to to mitigate torque steer in regular driving.
Styling highlights, as previewed by the recent Ellure concept, embody the now de rigueur coupe-like roofline, a grille shape inspired by a Shogun's formal coat (?!), and a rear-finish shape impressed by the gate to a Shinto shrine. OK, if you happen to say so, in any case the drag coefficient drops from 0.310 to 0.299. Other cool features: The non-compulsory rear-view camera gets an extreme fisheye lens and complex picture-processing software program to take that view and parlay it right into a blind-spot warning system, a cross-traffic alert warning when backing out of confined spaces, and even a lane-departure warning. And the computer flattens out the view of what is behind you so it looks normal.
Customary tools consists of NissanConnect built-in good-phone connectivity with commonplace Bluetooth streaming audio and out there fingers-free text messaging assistant, Pandora, actual-time POIs powered by Google, Google Send-to-car, and Simple Fill Tire Alert (which beeps the horn when the tire's full). Oh, and the seats are supposedly designed utilizing classes realized in zero-gravity before Skylab crashed to earth. By some means they "reduce muscular and spinal masses, and enhance blood stream" for lengthy-haul comfort.
Powertrain-wise, the brand new QR25 2.5-liter four-cylinder options variable timing on both cams and a composite variable-quantity intake manifold to broaden the torque curve. The engine is lighter and incorporates a magnesium oil pan and a smart-charging alternator, and peak output will increase from 170 hp and 175 lb-ft to 182/180. Combined with a next-gen CVT (wider ratio vary, forty p.c much less friction, improved control logic), EPA gas economy improves from 23/32 mpg to 27/38 (the unchanged VQ 3.5-liter V-6's EPA scores jump from 20/27 to 22/30, due to the CVT). A hybrid mannequin will observe at an unspecified date. The CVT is the one transmission obtainable regardless of engine choice.
Manufacturing begins in Could for June deliveries, and this lighter, faster Altima appears to have what it takes to hold its place in opposition to the traditional entrance-runners. We suspect the Aston-esque Ford Fusion lineup, replete with hybrid and plug-in variations, will present a serious problem from behind, however. Keep it tuned right here for the inevitable roundup of all the important thing players later this summer.
Like the NV vans, Pathfinder, and Infiniti JX, the fifth-generation 2013 Altima sedan has been engineered from the ground up for America in Farmington Hills, Michigan. It will likely be inbuilt Mississippi and Tennessee for export to forty five countries and now shares its D-platform underpinnings with the Japanese-market Teana. (The present-gen coupe continues through subsequent year.) Relative to the outgoing Altima, the wheelbase is unchanged but the rear monitor is widened slightly, the automotive is 0.8 inch longer, and 1.three inches wider. In depth use of extremely-high-strength metal means the physique construction -- already among the many featheriest within the section -- weighs in 79 kilos lighter (roughly 3100-3200 kilos relying on configuration) and is 30-% more rigid. We're additionally informed to anticipate greatest-in-class acceleration, and dealing with targeted not on the aggressive set, but at such luminary sedans because the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class.
A front-driver tilting at rear-drive German sport sedans? We'll consider it when we feel it, but the rear suspension does break some new ground. The multi-hyperlink design options a normal upper lateral link and a lower setup that mimics an A-arm composed of two pieces, every of which provides stiff resistance to lateral masses (as in onerous cornering), while the brace across the A is softly jointed to allow some passive toe-angle management and helpful dynamic rear steering. Additionally, the Sachs dampers are tuned like the M37's to provide smooth trip over small-amplitude bumps and a lot more management when the wheel actually begins jouncing. As well as, Nissan has additionally added what it's calling Lively Understeer Control, software program designed to brake the within entrance wheels throughout cornering when needed to increase yaw-second, serving to to mitigate torque steer in regular driving.
Styling highlights, as previewed by the recent Ellure concept, embody the now de rigueur coupe-like roofline, a grille shape inspired by a Shogun's formal coat (?!), and a rear-finish shape impressed by the gate to a Shinto shrine. OK, if you happen to say so, in any case the drag coefficient drops from 0.310 to 0.299. Other cool features: The non-compulsory rear-view camera gets an extreme fisheye lens and complex picture-processing software program to take that view and parlay it right into a blind-spot warning system, a cross-traffic alert warning when backing out of confined spaces, and even a lane-departure warning. And the computer flattens out the view of what is behind you so it looks normal.
Customary tools consists of NissanConnect built-in good-phone connectivity with commonplace Bluetooth streaming audio and out there fingers-free text messaging assistant, Pandora, actual-time POIs powered by Google, Google Send-to-car, and Simple Fill Tire Alert (which beeps the horn when the tire's full). Oh, and the seats are supposedly designed utilizing classes realized in zero-gravity before Skylab crashed to earth. By some means they "reduce muscular and spinal masses, and enhance blood stream" for lengthy-haul comfort.
Powertrain-wise, the brand new QR25 2.5-liter four-cylinder options variable timing on both cams and a composite variable-quantity intake manifold to broaden the torque curve. The engine is lighter and incorporates a magnesium oil pan and a smart-charging alternator, and peak output will increase from 170 hp and 175 lb-ft to 182/180. Combined with a next-gen CVT (wider ratio vary, forty p.c much less friction, improved control logic), EPA gas economy improves from 23/32 mpg to 27/38 (the unchanged VQ 3.5-liter V-6's EPA scores jump from 20/27 to 22/30, due to the CVT). A hybrid mannequin will observe at an unspecified date. The CVT is the one transmission obtainable regardless of engine choice.
Manufacturing begins in Could for June deliveries, and this lighter, faster Altima appears to have what it takes to hold its place in opposition to the traditional entrance-runners. We suspect the Aston-esque Ford Fusion lineup, replete with hybrid and plug-in variations, will present a serious problem from behind, however. Keep it tuned right here for the inevitable roundup of all the important thing players later this summer.
