Nissan To Debut Altima Sedan In Australian Market – Nov 21, 2013– Melbourne, Australia (Techreleased) – Nissan’s stylish all-new mid-sized sedan makes its Australian showroom debut one year after it was unveiled in race-car form for this year’s V8 Supercars Championship.
Nissan Altima Sedan
This sophisticated and comfortable road-going sedan offers Australian new-car buyers a rich combination of style, value and driving enjoyment. The Nissan Altima comes with a choice of two responsive and efficient four- and six-cylinder engines and the availability of a number of clever technologies, such as the Nissan Intelligent Technology Suite and “zero-gravity” inspired front seats.
“The arrival of the new Nissan Altima sedan is the latest instalment in Nissan’s Australian new-model renaissance,” said Peter Jones, Managing Director and CEO, Nissan Motor Company Australia.
“The Nissan Altima combines beautiful exterior styling with innovative interior comfort in a dynamic driving package. This is an exciting all-new model. It delivers great value with generous standard equipment, each matched to competitive prices across four separate model grades, making it a compelling proposition for Australian sedan car buyers.”
The stylish Altima will compete in Australia’s Medium <$60K segment (according to VFACTS) and complete the marque’s new and updated passenger car range, which now comprises the all-new Nissan Pulsar sedan and hatch (Small <$40K segment), Almera sedan and Micra hatch (both Light <$25K).
The arrival of the new Nissan Altima is the latest in the brand’s continued series of new-model releases. This year has seen Nissan introduce an impressive array of all-new models in the Australian market. They have included the Nissan Pulsar sedan (January) and hatch (June), the Nissan Patrol Y62 (February), and Nissan’s JUKE and Pathfinder SUVs (both October). A number of updated Nissan models have also made their Australian debuts this year, including MY13 editions of the all-conquering GT-R and 370Z sports models.
“2013 has been a busy and exciting year for Nissan in Australia,” Peter Jones said. “Australians have watched the Nissan Altima deliver some impressive on-track performances in this year’s V8 Supercars Championship and I’m thrilled they can now enjoy it themselves.”
The Nissan Altima will be in Nissan showrooms and officially on sale from the first week of December 2013.
Engines and transmission
The Nissan Altima is available with a choice of two petrol engines: a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with a power rating of 127kW and a peak torque of 230Nm and a V6 unit that delivers 183kW/312Nm.
The 2.5-litre power unit is available in the first three model grades in the Nissan Altima range: the ST, ST-L and Ti. The 183kW V6 engine is available in the range-leading Ti-S grade. Both engines use a double overhead camshaft (DOHC) design with four valves per cylinder.
The mid-sized Altima sedan is fuel-efficient. The 2.5-litre four cylinder engine delivers a fuel consumption rate of 7.5-litres+ per 100km with a CO2 output of 174g+ per kilometre. For the V6-powered Altima Ti-S fuel consumption is 9.3-litres+ per 100km with a CO2 output of 216g+ per kilometre.
The recommended fuel type for both engines is 91RON petrol. Fuel tank capacity is 65 litres.
One transmission is available for all model grades in the Nissan Altima range: Nissan’s Next Generation Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). This clever transmission unit maximises the available performance and efficiency available from both engines and adds to the Altima’s smooth and responsive driving performance. This latest generation of Nissan’s Xtronic CVT is also flexible: drivers seeking optimal fuel efficiency can select the transmission’s fuel economy (ECO) mode; those who want greater responsiveness can choose the driver sport (Ds) mode. The V6-powered, range-leading Ti-S grade comes fitted with manual (M) mode with paddle shifters.
Drive configuration in the all-new Nissan Altima is front-wheel drive. Engine mounting orientation is transverse (east-west).
Suspension and steering
The Nissan Altima sedan uses a four-wheel independent suspension design. At the front are independent struts with coil springs and at the rear a multi-link design. Together, they deliver a smooth and comfortable ride with great road holding and handling.
The Altima employs a clever chassis technology named Active Understeer Control (AUC). This system uses intelligent control logic and high-response brake actuators to brake the inside front wheels during cornering (as required) to increase yaw-moment using the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)/Traction Control System (TCS) as its base. When a driver turns a front-wheel-drive car in situations such as accelerating through a bend, the tendency is for the car to understeer. With Active Understeer Control, the Altima turns as the driver intends, making it easier for the driver, whether in dry, wet or snowy conditions. Active Understeer Control is almost undetectable when it operates and is designed primarily for everyday operation rather than emergency evasive maneuvers.
Altima’s Electronic Hydraulic Power-Assisted Steering (EHPS) system provides the best of two worlds – the natural, smooth feel of a sophisticated hydraulic power steering system, while simultaneously improving fuel economy by using electric power (rather than drawing power from the engine). The hydraulic assist allows a greater reduction ratio than with gears, while the small electric motor, which runs directly off the 12-volt power supply (no converter) does not need to be mounted directly on the steering rack since a large reduction ratio is obtained. The result is smooth, confidence-inspiring steering at higher speeds and easy assistance when parking.
Model grades and equipment
The Nissan Altima is available in four model grades: the Altima ST, ST-L and Ti (powered by the 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine) and the range-topping Altima Ti-S (3.5-litre V6).
Each grade’s generous standard equipment inclusions underline the new Nissan Altima’s exceptional value.
The entry-level Nissan Altima ST comes with a raft of comfort and convenience features, including:
16-inch alloy wheels (with full-sized 16-inch steel spare wheel)
Six-speaker audio system with five-inch display, USB/iPod^^ connectivity and AUX-IN jack Bluetooth®1 hands-free phone system
Steering wheel-mounted audio controls and cruise-control operation
Dual-zone climate control air-conditioning
Intelligent Key keyless entry system
Power windows
Six-way manual height/slide/recline adjustable driver’s seat
60/40 split-fold rear seating
Automatic on/off headlights with headlight washers
Electrically adjustable door mirrors
The Nissan Altima ST-L offers buyers more, with inclusions such as:
17-inch alloy wheels (with full-sized 17-inch alloy spare wheel)
Satellite navigation
Rear view camera
Parking sensors (front and rear)
Premium BOSE audio system with nine speakers, colour seven-inch QVGA display, Bluetooth®1 audio streaming and NissanConnect smartphone integration
Leather accented seat trim and steering wheel^
Eight-way manual height/slide/recline adjustable driver’s seat
The NissanConnect smartphone integration system allows drivers to stay in touch with the outside world via their smartphone and the Altima’s hands-free technology and display screen.
The Nissan Altima Ti offers even more equipment, such as:
18-inch alloy wheels (with 17-inch spare alloy wheel)
Nissan’s Intelligent Technology Suite, comprising:
Blind Spot Warning
Lane Departure Warning
Moving Object Detection
Around View Monitor (AVM)
Xenon headlights with auto levelling
Driver’s seat with two memory settings
Door mirrors with memory function
Automatic day/night rear vision mirror
Power rear sunshade
Rear privacy glass
The range-leading Altima Ti-S delivers customers the same generous standard inclusions as the Altima Ti but with the power of the 183kW V6 petrol engine and the inclusion of manual (M) mode and paddle shifters for the operation of the smooth Xtronic CVT.
The Nissan Altima comes with a three-year/100,000km new-vehicle warranty.
Safety
The Nissan Altima comes comprehensively equipped with a variety of safety features as standard for all model grades. They include:
Advanced Drive Assist Display (ADAD)
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
Active Understeer Control (AUC)
Traction Control System (TCS)
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
Brake Assist (BA)
Driver and front passenger front-impact SRS airbags
Driver and front passenger side-impact SRS airbags
Front to rear curtain SRS airbags
Front seatbelts with load limiters and pre-tensioners
Three-point Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) front and rear seatbelts
Driver and front passenger seatbelt height adjustment
Seatbelt warning and alarm on front and rear seats
Child restraint anchorage (ISOFIX#) and tether
Nissan Anti-Theft System (NATS) vehicle immobiliser
The Nissan Altima Ti and Ti-S grades come equipped with Nissan’s Intelligent Technology Suite, which comprises three innovative safety technologies. These are:
Blind Spot Warning
Lane Departure Warning
Moving Object Detection
All grades in the Nissan Altima range come equipped with Nissan’s Advanced Drive Assist Display (ADAD). Mounted in the instrument binnacle between the tachometer and speedometer, ADAD is a 3D display that informs the driver of key information, such as turn-by-turn directions from the satellite navigation system (as fitted to the Altima ST-L, Ti, Ti-S), Lane Departure Warning (as fitted to the Altima Ti and Ti-S) and caller ID.
Exterior: design
The Nissan Altima’s aerodynamic exterior is sophisticated and stylish. This mid-sized sedan presents Nissan’s unmistakeable design DNA in an elegant manner and offers customers the choice of six rich colours: Brilliant Silver, Ebony, Storm Grey, Titanium, White Diamond and Mineral Blue.
Body-coloured electric folding door mirrors with integrated turn indicators are fitted on all model grades. The Altima’s stylish front is finished with a chrome front grille to match the vehicle’s door handles and the rear is highlighted with LED tail lights.
The Nissan Altima cleverly combines great interior space without the need for a large exterior. The Altima’s overall length is 4885mm and overall width (excluding mirrors) 1830mm. Overall height is 1470mm. Boot capacity is 488 litres.
The Nissan Altima’s aerodynamic performance is also impressive, boasting a drag coefficient of 0.299.
Interior: seating
While the new Altima likes to keep its wheels and tyres firmly planted on the road, its front bucket seats have a less-Earthly design. To help reduce the fatigue experienced during long commutes or extended road trips, Nissan turned to seating and posture research from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). According to NASA, the least fatiguing seats are those that come closest to a “neutral posture” – a relaxed position that the human body takes in a weightless environment.
Using a new articulated seat shape that provides continuous support from the pelvis to the chest and distribution of localised deformation characteristics, the Altima’s “zero-gravity” inspired front seats help reduce muscular and spinal loads and improve blood flow, thereby helping reduce fatigue over long periods behind the wheel. Seat surface perforations provide increased ventilation, breathability and comfort.
The Nissan Altima V8 Supercar
In October last year, Nissan Motorsport unveiled Australia’s first Nissan Altima. Clad in Nissan Motorsport’s unmistakeable red, white and black war paint, this purpose-built racer was the first of Nissan Motorsport’s four Nissan Altima V8 Supercars, all carefully designed and built with the intention of winning the V8 Supercars Championship, Australia’s premier motor racing category.
Nissan’s entry in the 2013 V8 Supercars Championship has been the company’s official return to local motorsport competition. Up until the early 1990s, Nissan enjoyed tremendous success in Australia’s premier motor racing category with a number of models, the most notable the all-conquering GT-R (model code R32). Nissan officially exited local motor sport competition after winning the 1992 Bathurst 1000 endurance race, arguably Australia’s most prestigious motor racing event.
Nissan Motorsport enjoyed its first V8 Supercar success this year at the Winton 360 round in August. James Moffat, aboard the #360 Norton Nissan Altima, drove to victory ahead of team-mate Michael Caruso.
“The V8 Supercars Championship has been a vital part of Nissan marketing strategy for the Altima sedan,” said Peter Jones.
“In terms of the Nissan Altima, Australian new-car buyers have had the past 12 months to become familiar with the Altima name and how it looks. In terms of the Nissan brand, the V8 Supercars Championship has been a great place to showcase our marque and the innovation and excitement Nissan seeks to deliver.”
Australian prices: Nissan Altima
MSRP* (CVT)
Estimated Drive-Away Price** (CVT)
Altima ST
$29,990
$33,513
Altima ST-L
$35,890
$39,667
Altima Ti
$40,190
$44,025
Altima Ti-S
$45,390
$50,784