The image you see below is the updated 2010 Nissan Altima. No, really... it may look similar to the mid-size sedan currently on dealer lots across the country wearing window stickers that say 2009, but the 2010 model is in fact slightly restyled.
Especially noticeable is the reworked front fascia, which now features a slightly more prominent upper grille and a lower intake that's molded in body color plastic instead of black. Flanking that lower opening are new foglights that sit inside boomerang-shaped recesses. We can't make out much of the car's hind quarters, but it seems the tail lamps have grown a in size. View the attachments for this post at:
For 2010, Nissan's pivotal midsizer receives a modest but effective new bit of front clippery, including a new grille, bumper, and hood. Additional exterior changes are mainly limited to things like alloy wheel patterns and paint choice.
Inside, expect alterations that include reworked option package groupings,new interior fabrics and trim, and so on. On the infotech front, a new nine-speaker Bose stereo will be available incorporating things like iPod connectivity, Bluetooth telephony, XM, and a rearview camera visible from its 4.3-inch display. Those wishing to spend a few more sheckels can opt for a next-gen navi with a 6.5-inch touchscreen setup, and it includes everything from the usual XM add-ons (NavTraffic, NavWeather) to speed limit advisories and a built-in Zagat's guide for stranded foodies. On the entertainment front, it also includes a 9.3-gig drive for ripping tunes, Bluetooth streaming audio and DVD player functionality.
Underneath, all 2010 Altima models get standard stability control whether they have two or four doors, and the 3.5 SE trim designation has rather curiously been ditched in favor of 3.5 SR.
Pricing for the sedan starts at $19,900 for the 170 horsepower,
2.5-liter four-cylinder S when paired with a CVT gearbox and climbs to $24,520 for the 270 hp, 3.5-liter V6 SR model, also with CVT. Want a third pedal? Prepare to lose a couple of doors ? the 2.5 S coupe with a six-speed manual starts at $22,440, and the SR coupe with the
3.5-liter manual runs $29,600 ? curiously, that's $2,330 more than the CVT model even though the same transmission is cheaper than the shift-it-yourself gearbox in four-cylinder guise. Last, but not least, if you're in the market for an Altima hybrid, expect to pony up $26,780 before options.
Will these changes be enough to keep the Altima in the thick of the family sedan hunt against perennial adversaries like the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Chevrolet Malibu, and Mazda6? Checking out the high-res gallery below
PRESS RELEASE:
2010 Nissan Altima Offers New Look, New Tech Features;
U.S. Pricing Announced for Sedan, Coupe and Hybrid Models ? Nissan's Best-Selling Nameplate, With Refined Exterior and Interior Treatments and Advanced Navigation System, Set For October 5th Debut ?
The popular Nissan Altima, ranked number one in segment in the 2009 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS), enters the
2010 model year with fresh exterior styling, refined interior treatments and a host of technology enhancements to its navigation and entertainment systems. Available in three distinct models ? Altima Sedan, Altima Coupe and Altima Hybrid ? the 2010 Altimas will be available at Nissan dealers nationwide beginning Monday, October
5th.
The 2010 Altima's Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices* (MSRP) are:
2010 Altima Sedan Engine/Transmission M.S.R.P. Altima Sedan 2.5 S 2.5L I4 CVT $19,900 USD Altima Sedan 2.5 S 2.5L I4 CVT $21,840 USD Altima Sedan 3.5 SR 3.5L V6 CVT $24,520 USD
2010 Altima Coupe Engine/Transmission M.S.R.P. Altima Coupe 2.5 S 2.5L I4 6MT $22,440 USD Altima Coupe 2.5 S 2.5L I4 CVT $22,940 USD Altima Coupe 3.5 SR 3.5L V6 CVT $27,270 USD Altima Coupe 3.5 SR 3.5 V6 6MT $29,600 USD
Now in its fourth generation, with nearly 3.2 million units sold worldwide, Altima provides a unique combination of exhilarating driving pleasure, distinctive and sporty design and exceptional quality and value in the mid-size sedan and coupe classes.
Again in 2010, Altima is available in a variety of well-equipped trim levels designed to appeal to a broad range of buyer needs and budgets, including 175-horsepower 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder and
270-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine-equipped 4-door Altima Sedan and sporty 2-door Altima Coupe versions.
The Altima Hybrid powertrain mates a specialized version of Nissan's QR25 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and standard electronically controlled CVT with an advanced electric drive motor/generator. Altima Hybrid is estimated to have a hybrid system net power rating of 198 horsepower (148 kW) while maintaining low tailpipe emissions, earning Altima Hybrid an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) rating. EPA fuel economy is estimated at 35 mpg City and 33 mpg Highway. Combined with Altima's standard 20-gallon fuel tank, the Altima Hybrid has a projected driving range of over
600 miles between fill-ups.
Among the many changes for all 2010 Altimas are a restyled hood, grille and front bumper, new wheel designs, standard Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) on all models, revised interior fabric and finishers, new exterior colors and revised option package content. In addition, the previous Altima 3.5 SE designation has been renamed the 3.5 SR.
Along with the exhilaration provided by the driver-oriented cockpit and high levels of Altima performance, the "entertainment factor" of Altima's interior has been upgraded with new available premium audio packages that include a Bose® AM/FM audio system with nine speakers, 4.3-inch color display, USB port with iPod® connectivity, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, MP3/WMA CD-ROM playback, XM® Satellite Radio (XM® subscription required, sold separately) and RearView Monitor.
Also available with Altima Sedan, Coupe and Hybrid models is a next-generation Nissan Hard Drive Navigation System with 6.5-inch VGA color touch-screen display (replaces the 4.3-inch display), 9.3GB Music Box for music storage and playback, advanced map data including speed limit advisories, Zagat restaurant guide, XM NavTraffic® and XM NavWeather® (XM® subscription required, sold separately), Bluetooth® Streaming Audio, DVD player and an RCA input for auxiliary audio/video connectivity. View the attachments for this post at:
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