The Altima has been one of Nissan Motor Co.’s best-selling cars since its introduction in 2001. The second generation, introduced in 2006, strengthened the sedan’s popularity. To broaden its mainstream appeal, Nissan introduced a hybrid version of the car in January. And now the long-awaited coupe has arrived.
Compared to other coupes, the Altima isn’t just a two-door version of the sedan. Nissan engineers have shortened the wheelbase by 101mm, trimmed the overall length by 185mm and lowered the ride height by 66mm. The modifications gave the coupe a handsome appearance that could turn heads.
How different is the coupe from the sedan? Well, the only sheet metal the Altima two- and four-doors share is the hood. The Coupe has been endowed with a pair of idiosyncratic bucket seats with striking side bolsters for additional lateral support. In the rear, a 60/40 split rear bench expands cargo space. The property is ideal for a ski weekend or to have some odds and sods from the tent. In addition, a more conventional manual parking brake lever, replacing the sedan’s foot control, has also been added to the Coupe.
The other big difference between the models is power. The base car is equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 175 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. This is more than enough to be fun when paired with the six-speed manual. A significant part of the spirited driving is attributed to the transmission’s close ratios and a light, progressive clutch that puts the grip point in just the right place. It makes paddling the gears an enjoyable experience despite the twisty road surface.
In terms of performance and agility, the new Coupé also has a lot to offer. The suspension gets firmer than the sedan. The steering, meanwhile, is also properly weighted and responsive when turned off-center. The biggest difference between the two models is the tires. The 2.5 S comes with P215/60R16 Continental, while the 3.5 SE comes with P215/55R17 Bridgestone.
Other notable features of the Coupe include Nissan’s headlight bulb, push button start, dual-zone climate control, cruise control and heated seats, power mirrors, power windows and moonroof, a six-speaker audio system with an auxiliary plugin. , six airbags and standard anti-lock brakes.
According to critics, the Altima Coupe is going to win a lot of fans, simply because it combines a luxurious interior with good road manners and affordability. The fact that there are shades of the Infiniti G35 coupe in its bold styling only helps the cause. It will also go a long way towards legitimizing the much maligned CVT.
Nissan recently invited some journalists to test drive some of its new and revised product lines. Aside from the Altima Coupe, Nissan flaunted the new long-wheelbase Titan, updated the Pathfinder with a V8, and the quieter Armada.
The way Nissan explains it, there is a need for this vehicle in the market, even if Toyota has decided to drop its Solara model due to declining sales. The company’s main competitors will be the Honda Accord coupe, Pontiac G6 and Hyundai Tiburon, all of which Nissan’s new entry outprices in all similarly equipped head-to-head price battles.
The automaker hopes the coupe will appeal to women, many of whom will opt for the cheaper 2.5-liter I-4. Nissan also anticipates the average Coupe buyer to be younger, those not yet ready to plunge into the more responsible and mature sedan or minivan market. Plus, the Coupe is expected to attract some older customers who might want to exercise their “free-spirited” wings when their kids start to leave the house.
