hullio
10-16-2006, 05:01 PM
Altima Finally Goes Green
Canadian Auto Press
http://news.en.autos.sympatico.msn.ca/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1055693
After several years of testing, Nissan has finally announced that its first hybrid vehicle, the Altima Hybrid is ready for production. The good news was announced late last week at the Orange Country Autoshow in Anaheim, California, where the vehicle made its debut. Nissan is the third of the big Japanese import automakers to offer a hybrid drivetrain on its midsize vehicle, following the likes of the Honda Accord Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid.
Like the Camry Hybrid, the Altima pairs a four-cylinder motor - in this case, Nissan’s 2.5-litre inline-four - with an electric motor/generator that has been mated to work with Nissan’s eCVT continuously variable transmission, which, interestingly has replaced the conventional automatic gearbox in nearly all of Nissan’s mainstream automobiles. In fact, Nissan hopes to build more than a million eCVTs before the end of next year.
But enough of that; back to the hybrid drivetrain. The electrical assist allows the Altima Hybrid to make 198 horsepower, all while consuming less fuel at 5.7 L/100 km (41 mpg) in the city, and 6.5 L/100 km (36 mpg) on the highway.
Nissan is keen to emphasize how much alike the standard Altima the Altima Hybrid are. Beside the typical differences in the way that a hybrid drives, such as the idle-stop mode and the silent take-offs, the gasoline-electric Altima handles and steers just like any other Altima thanks to the fact that it rides on an identical suspension setup. What is visibly different, however, are the special hybrid badges, as well as turn signal indicators mounted in the side-view mirrors. Of course, the new Altima carries all of the same visual and technical modifications that were introduced for 2007 model year, such as the new grille, new bumpers and new head and tail lights.
But here’s where it deviates from convention: the Altima Hybrid will only be offered in eight states, namely the ones that have conformed to California’s strict emissions standards. That means if you don’t live in California, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Main or New Jersey you’ll be out of luck, which makes the new Nissan an anomaly, given that Ford, Saturn, Toyota, Honda and Lexus all sell their hybrids in every U.S. state and all Canadian provinces. Currently, no decision has been made on whether or not Nissan will offer the Altima Hybrid outside of these areas.
Although Nissan might not be the first automaker to create a midsize hybrid vehicle, it does have a history of improving its products’ environmental friendliness. Back in 2000 the Japanese brand launched the Sentra CA (Clean Air, not California), the world’s first PZEV (Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle), which actually worked to clean the air as it was driven using a specially treated radiator and a low-emissions exhaust system. Five years later, the Altima 2.5 also adopted similar status. Nissan is also the first import automaker to offer a vehicle with flex-fuel that can run up to an 85-percent blend of ethanol. Starting 2007, Nissan will offer this feature on its Titan pickup truck plus the Titan-based Armada SUV.
http://stb.msn.com/i/BC/1E77FF3729AD97A22F323DD293C254.jpg
http://stb.msn.com/i/9A/14EC95278887497B7C18086A2CE.jpg
Canadian Auto Press
http://news.en.autos.sympatico.msn.ca/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1055693
After several years of testing, Nissan has finally announced that its first hybrid vehicle, the Altima Hybrid is ready for production. The good news was announced late last week at the Orange Country Autoshow in Anaheim, California, where the vehicle made its debut. Nissan is the third of the big Japanese import automakers to offer a hybrid drivetrain on its midsize vehicle, following the likes of the Honda Accord Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid.
Like the Camry Hybrid, the Altima pairs a four-cylinder motor - in this case, Nissan’s 2.5-litre inline-four - with an electric motor/generator that has been mated to work with Nissan’s eCVT continuously variable transmission, which, interestingly has replaced the conventional automatic gearbox in nearly all of Nissan’s mainstream automobiles. In fact, Nissan hopes to build more than a million eCVTs before the end of next year.
But enough of that; back to the hybrid drivetrain. The electrical assist allows the Altima Hybrid to make 198 horsepower, all while consuming less fuel at 5.7 L/100 km (41 mpg) in the city, and 6.5 L/100 km (36 mpg) on the highway.
Nissan is keen to emphasize how much alike the standard Altima the Altima Hybrid are. Beside the typical differences in the way that a hybrid drives, such as the idle-stop mode and the silent take-offs, the gasoline-electric Altima handles and steers just like any other Altima thanks to the fact that it rides on an identical suspension setup. What is visibly different, however, are the special hybrid badges, as well as turn signal indicators mounted in the side-view mirrors. Of course, the new Altima carries all of the same visual and technical modifications that were introduced for 2007 model year, such as the new grille, new bumpers and new head and tail lights.
But here’s where it deviates from convention: the Altima Hybrid will only be offered in eight states, namely the ones that have conformed to California’s strict emissions standards. That means if you don’t live in California, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Main or New Jersey you’ll be out of luck, which makes the new Nissan an anomaly, given that Ford, Saturn, Toyota, Honda and Lexus all sell their hybrids in every U.S. state and all Canadian provinces. Currently, no decision has been made on whether or not Nissan will offer the Altima Hybrid outside of these areas.
Although Nissan might not be the first automaker to create a midsize hybrid vehicle, it does have a history of improving its products’ environmental friendliness. Back in 2000 the Japanese brand launched the Sentra CA (Clean Air, not California), the world’s first PZEV (Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle), which actually worked to clean the air as it was driven using a specially treated radiator and a low-emissions exhaust system. Five years later, the Altima 2.5 also adopted similar status. Nissan is also the first import automaker to offer a vehicle with flex-fuel that can run up to an 85-percent blend of ethanol. Starting 2007, Nissan will offer this feature on its Titan pickup truck plus the Titan-based Armada SUV.
http://stb.msn.com/i/BC/1E77FF3729AD97A22F323DD293C254.jpg
http://stb.msn.com/i/9A/14EC95278887497B7C18086A2CE.jpg