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

2010 Altima Hybrid     Engine/Transmission     M.S.R.P.
Altima HEV     2.5L I4 eCVT     $26,780 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.
Source Nissan USA

The Nissan Leaf 

One of the buzz cars right now in the green car movement is the all-electric Nissan Leaf. We’ve done an in-depth preview of the Leaf before via material provided by Nissan, but an ongoing tour of the Leaf around the United States recently brought it to Portland, Oregon, which is EarthTechling HQ territory. We dropped in on the Leaf and those showing it off to interested parties, asking some questions about it and generally just oooing and ahhing over the potentials this vehicle has to offer.

We later on followed up via email with Mark Perry, director of product planning, Nissan North America, and one of the leading forces at the auto manufacturer pushing the Leaf, to ask him a few questions about this electric car. Check out the next few pages of this article to see photos of the Leaf and also Perry’s answers to questions around what it will take for the Leaf to beat out other green cars like the king of the hill Toyota Prius and the upcoming Chevy Volt.

EarthTechling: Why has Nissan chosen to become involved in the niche electric vehicle market? 

Mark Perry: Zero-emissions leadership is a key pillar of Nissan’s business plan. Nissan has been working on the development of lithium-ion batteries – the most important part of the electric car, since 1992. We believe the best way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is to not produce them at all. Nissan’s zero-emissions strategy, through vehicles such as the Nissan LEAF, provide a solution for sustainable mobility.

ET: The Leaf is one of the first electric cars in recent memory which could potentially appeal to mainstream American drivers. Why do you think that is? 

Perry: It’s a “real car,” with room to comfortable seat five passengers, a top speed of 90 mph, advanced technology interface and a full range of available amenities. A full charge can power the Nissan LEAF for about 100 miles, which meets the daily needs of more than 90 percent of U.S. drivers. It also will be priced affordably, with total operating costs equal to those of a comparable gasoline-powered vehicle.

ET: Compare the Leaf to the Toyota Prius and the Chevy Volt, which are two other alternative vehicles consumers have growing awareness of. What makes the Leaf better, in your opinion, than these others? 

Perry: What sets Nissan LEAF apart is that it’s a zero-emission, all-electric vehicle. This means the LEAF can be totally neutral to the environment. Nissan, along with its alliance partner Renault, is the only automaker committed to bringing an electric vehicle to the mass market. (in addition to the affordability and range info mentioned before)

ET: What issues do you feel could hinder wider adoption of electric vehicles like the Leaf? How are Nissan and its partners addressing those? 

Perry: Nissan is taking a holistic approach to electric vehicles and the establishment of a market for them to be sure there is a viable market for our vehicle. Globally, the Renault-Nissan Alliance has established about 30 partnerships with governments and public and private organizations, which are key to setting up the conditions needed for a zero-emission vehicle market to thrive. We are continuing to hold discussions that are leading to additional partnerships as well.

ET: In the development of the Leaf, what have been some of the biggest challenges in trying to make this vehicle what you want it to be?

Perry: Nissan’s advanced battery technology has met some of the largest challenges. By forming a joint venture company (Automotive Energy Supply Corp.) with NEC, we are able to leverage NEC’s battery-making experience with Nissan’s lithium-ion battery history dating back to the early 1990s. The battery for LEAF has half of the mass and weight and double the energy of previous lithium-ion batteries, and uses a manganese base, which also helps drive down cost.

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