(April 5, 2012) Two decades after the original Nissan Altima joined the mid-size sedan segment in North America, Nissan’s best-selling vehicle has undergone a complete makeover.  Making its world debut at the New York International Auto Show, the Altima is once again poised to become the new benchmark in the hotly contested segment when it goes on sale at Nissan retailers nationwide this summer.



The new Altima offers numerous segment defining attributes that enhance the ownership experience and provide real customer value, including:

    • Targeted best-in-segment 38 mpg highway fuel economy (2.5-liter engine)
    • Premium exterior styling with a powerful presence and improved aerodynamics
    • Upscale interior rivaling premium luxury sedans, including NASA-inspired “zero-gravity” seats, an Advanced Drive-Assist™ Display and BOSE Premium Audio System
    • An outstanding balance of ride comfort, stability and fun-to-drive demeanor, including projected best-level acceleration
    • Standard Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System and Streaming Audio via Bluetooth
    • NissanConnectSM and NissanConnect Navigation with a suite of Bluetooth phone connectivity features, including hands-free text message integration, Pandora playback, real-time Google POI search and more
    • Next-generation Safety Shield Technologies, including Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Moving Object Detection (MOD) systems
    • Tire Pressure Monitoring System with Easy Fill Tire Alert

“In a segment as critical as this, with longtime nameplates and new challengers fighting for every sale, it’s not enough to just target the competition. You have to think outside — and far above — the segment,” said Brian Carolin, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, Nissan North America, Inc. “We created the new Altima to set a clearly recognized benchmark for many years to come.”

The 2013 Altima is one of five all-new Nissan models set for introduction in the next 15 months and, as the second best-selling car in the United States in 2011, much is riding on the new fifth-generation Altima.

“The safe thing to do would be to follow other automakers’ paths, conservatively evolving the Altima so as not to upset the existing owner base.  But that would not be in keeping with Nissan’s ‘Innovation for All’ philosophy,” explained Carolin.  “We took our most successful model and changed nearly everything — the look, the feel, the driving experience and, of course, the technology down to even the headlights and windshield wipers.”

There will be a choice of two proven Altima powerplants — the 2.5-liter DOHC 4-cylinder and 3.5-liter DOHC V6 — are again offered for the new model year.

The 2.5-liter QR25 engine has been redesigned to be lighter and more efficient.  It now includes variable valve timing on both exhaust and intake camshafts, and the new intake system opens the valves at a higher rpm to help keep the torque curve flat.  Featuring cutting-edge technology such as a new thermoplastic resin intake manifold, this engine simultaneously produced more power despite being lighter. 

Horsepower has increased by seven to an estimated 182 (from 175), while torque remains the same at 180 lb-ft (est.).  The advanced, award-winning VQ35DE 3.5-liter V6 remains rated at 270 horsepower (est.) and 258 lb-ft of torque (est.).

Helping increase fuel economy with both engines is the next-generation Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission).  Nissan is an industry leader in CVT transmissions, with more than 20 years of experience in CVT design and engineering. 

For this next-generation design, a full 70 percent of the parts have been redesigned and internal friction reduced by up to 40 percent (versus the previous design).  It also features new control logic and expanded gear ratio coverage, which helps reduce noise and fuel consumption while improving drivability and responsiveness.

Targeted fuel economy for the Altima 2.5-liter 4-cylinder/CVT combination is 27 mpg city, 38 mpg highway and 31 mpg combined.  Fuel economy for the 3.5-liter V6/CVT Altima is rated at 22 mpg city, 30 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined.  Also contributing to the improved fuel efficiency are tires with reduced rolling resistance and a new regenerative alternator that only operates when the vehicle is coasting.