Cars Service

2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid Preview

Overview

It’s still a few years away from arriving in showrooms, but Nissan has already begun to build prototypes of the 2007 Altima Hybrid.

In September 2002, Nissan and Toyota signed a basic agreement in which Toyota will supply Nissan with the hybrid system components (transaxle, inverter, battery, and control unit) allowing Nissan to produce 100,000 hybrid vehicles within a five -year period.

However Nissan will be supplying the gasoline engine and electric motor which means that the Altima will drive quite differently than the Toyota Prius that uses the same hybrid components.

Nissan will be focusing on performance with the Altima Hybrid. The prototype combines the powerful 2.5-liter engine used in the current Altima, with a 100kw electric motor. For comparison, the Prius uses a 50kw electric motor. Still, the Altima Hybrid is expected to get high fuel economy and produce very low emissions.

Drivetrain developments

Adding to the Altimas fun factor is a more powerful 3.5-liter V6. Final SAE horsepower figures have yet to be released, but expect the peak number to come in around 265, a 15 horsepower increase over the current models V6. Reduced internal friction and improved cylinder head cooling contribute to the increase in horsepower while also providing a more refined engine note. The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder gets a bump in compression ratio, an improved balancer system and a larger intake manifold, but final numbers for this engine are similarly pending.

More impressive than either engine is the new Xtronic CVT. This is the same unit found in the Murano SUV, but it has benefited from an upgraded "Sport" controller that uses adaptive logic to adjust shift patterns under varying conditions.

As a rule we havent been too impressed with CVTs, but our brief experience in the Altima suggests this technology is finally ready for prime time. While technically not "shifting" at all, this CVT made the most of both the four-cylinder and V6 engines power and torque. When rolling into the throttle, or climbing a hill, the CVT allowed the engines to rev quickly and build power before executing a simulated — and very positive feeling — "upshift."

Nissan has been pushing CVT technology for over a decade. It feels the improved efficiency and smoothness offered by this transmission design represents the wave of the future. The company expects to sell 1 million CVTs globally, every year, by 2008. If they all work this well well happily contribute to that number. Buyers still not sold on the merits of CVTs can select a six-speed manual transmission for either engine.

All-new from the platform up

Starting with an all-new "D" platform, Nissan lowered the engine, upgraded the front suspension geometry and improved the shock absorbers for better steering response and handling. The new engine location allows the half shafts to be mounted at equal angles to reduce torque steer, while a new upper cowl structure provides increased rigidity at the front-suspension mounting points. The rear suspension continues to use an independent, multilink design and antiroll bars are mounted at both ends of the car.

Base Altimas utilize 16-inch steel wheels with 215/60 tires, but 17-inch alloys wearing 215/55 tires are available on the 3.5 SE models. The 3.5 SE also features a sport-tuned suspension and larger antiroll bars. Much of the 2007 Altimas improved rigidity comes via the use of high-strength steel throughout the platform, as well as a 1-inch-shorter wheelbase. Despite these structural gains the new model is only 55 pounds heavier than the current car.

With a proclaimed engineering target of creating "the best performing front-wheel-drive sedan in the world," we had rather high expectations for the new Altima. What we got was a noticeable uptick in steering feel and feedback and an overall sharper, more nimble car. The improved front suspension tuning, along with the new speed-sensitive, power rack and pinion steering system, provides a precise and linear steering response that rivals the class leader in this area

What others say about the 2007 Nissan Altima:

Nissan help has this in their review of the 2007 Nissan Altima. They write, `”Altima is 100% original and 100% Nissan, rather than a copy of existing mid-size sedan offerings,” said Brad Bradshaw, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division. “In creating this next generation Altima, we didn’t take for granted the things it already did well. We refined or enhanced all areas – exterior, interior and under the skin.”

Car and Driver has this to say on the 2007 Nissan Altima. They write, `Built on a new platform, the ’07 Altima boasts increased structural rigidity and a wheelbase that’s one inch shorter. Nissan estimates that the 3.5-liter V-6 will have over 265 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque and that the base 2.5-liter inline-four will have over 165 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. Each engine comes standard with a six-speed manual, and the automatic is now a CVT.

Autoreview started thier review of the 2007 Nissan Altima like this, `During the ongoing New York Auto Show Nissan presented its fourth generation Altima mid-size sedan. With a quarter of a million units sold in the year 2005 alone, the third generation Altima was one of the most popular sedans of this class sold on the U.S. market. Now the Japanese company tries to build on this success.

Incidentally, the fact that the Altima hybrid will be able to be powered solely by its electric motor is the sign of a full-hybrid drivetrain. Honda designed their hybrid Insight and Civic as mild hybrid systems, which means when the car is driving, or the air conditioning system is in operation, the gasoline engine must be running. Mild hybrids only shut off when the car is motionless and the air conditioning is off.

Although no horsepower or torque ratings for the Altima Hybrid have been disclosed as of yet, the gain in performance is expected to be likened to driving a V6-powered Altima, with the benefit of 4-cylinder fuel savings of course.



2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid

On Sale Date Summer 2006
Body Style 4-Door Sedan
Category Hybrid Vehicles
Drivetrain Front-wheel drive
Engine Gas-Electric Hybrid
Estimated Price Not released