2008 Altima Coupe

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BigAl3

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does it seem like a more affordable G35 coupe alternative? anyone like it?



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Altima Coupe Offers Upscale Styling and Sporty Performance



The Nissan Altima is a car on the move. With its next generation design for the 2007 model year, Nissan’s best-selling vehicle in the United States is poised for even greater success as it establishes segment leadership in style, design, performance and innovation. The next-generation Altima Coupe will go on sale as a 2008 model in summer 2007.



The Altima Coupe, which made its debut in the shadows of Hollywood at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show, fills a desire among target customers for a more personal expression of style, individuality and fashionable appearance. The Altima Coupe’s unique exterior design is intended to stand out in a crowd of sedan-based two-door models with magnetic, perfectly proportioned styling with a shorter wheelbase, shorter overall length and lower height than the Altima Sedan.



The Altima Coupe, as part of the fourth-generation Altima design, utilizes Nissan’s all-new, highly acclaimed “D� platform with increased body rigidity and a redesigned suspension. This new platform was developed with the objective of making Altima one of the best performing large front-wheel drive vehicles available globally.



The rear multi-link independent suspension design separates the rear shocks and springs for reduced friction and the shocks are in line with the center of the rear wheels, providing better damping and less harshness. Front and rear stabilizer bars are standard. The Altima suspension has been specially tuned for use with the Altima Coupe.



The new Altima Coupe is offered with a choice of two engines and two transmissions. The 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC V6 is the “next generation� version of the 12-time Ward’s “10 Best Engines� award-winning VQ-series V6. For use in the Altima Coupe, it is rated at 270 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque and offers strong acceleration and refined sound quality. The V6 features reduced friction, improved cylinder head cooling and new twin knock sensors.



Also available with the new Altima Coupe is a 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve QR25 inline 4-cylinder, producing 175 horsepower (170 bhp CAL) and 180 lb-ft of torque (175 lb-ft CAL).



Both the 3.5-liter V6 and 2.5-liter 4-cylinder models are available with Nissan’s advanced Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) or 6-speed manual transmissions.



The Altima Coupe’s performance feeling is also enhanced by a driver-centered interior. Though sharing much of the design and features with the new Altima Sedan, the Coupe includes unique sport-style front seats with more side support, in-board release lever and front kangaroo pouches. All Altima Coupes also utilize a parking brake hand lever (versus foot release for Altima Sedans with CVT). The Coupe also includes a 60/40 split and flat

fold-down rear seat.



Like the Altima Sedan, the Altima Coupe’s instrument panel features a Fine Vision gauge display for enhanced readability and the L-shaped flow of the instrument panel to the center console adds to the driver-oriented cockpit feel.



The list of passenger amenities includes standard Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition and available Bose-developed audio system with nine speakers, Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System, satellite radio and dual-zone automatic temperature control.



Available technology features include a RearView Monitor, which utilizes a small camera to help show the view behind the vehicle when in reverse gear, and Nissan Navigation System with a 6.5-inch color monitor.







On Sale: Summer 2007

Expected Pricing: $19,000 - $25,000
 
Is this going to be FWD? If its RWD wouldn't it interfere with the 350Z. Is this coming to the US? In Japan, the US version G35 Coupe is a Nissan Skyline.
 
I always hated when people compare the Altima to the G35, when they share nothing in common. It's like saying the Toyota Corolla is the poor mans IS350. I can almost guarantee you that people seriously shopping the G35 are NOT considering the Altima as a serious alternative.



The Altima is a budget minded FWD coupe, and a better comparison would be to a Civic or better yet a Pontiac G6 (looks very close to me). The Altima won't affect the Infiniti brand in the slightest, IMO.
 
Yal said:
People are calling it the poor mans G35 Coupe :)
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yeah, that's the comments i've been reading too...



by the way, the first thing i would do to that is de-badge the emblems (like the clean look) and replace that front grill! :up
 
Give me an accord coupe. It does look easy enough to detail though. I rather a sedan over a coupe just need the extra doors.
 
TigerMike said:
The Altima won't affect the Infiniti brand in the slightest, IMO.
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You bet it will. It's bling(the looks) that people are after and if they can get the look for $$$$ less then that path will be taken. Why save for a G35 coupe when I can get the Altima coupe that looks nearly the same for so much less?
 
You took the words out of my mouth TigerMike. I just don't like the performance and handling of FWD cars. It's a totally different ride compared to RWD cars like the G35 coupe/sedan. The G35 engine is tuned differently and has more horsepower. The G35 coupe/sedan, FX-35 Crossover SUV and 350Z share the same floorpan - the FM midship. The FM is tuned specifically for RWD.
 
The Nissan 350z is clearly the (relatively) poor man's G35 coupe. Still, the Altima Coupe intrigues me--and knowing the handling of its sedan counterpart, I think it should be a great value for a fun, sporty car. And just as on the sedan, I love the design. Definitely a lot of G35 lines in there.
 
TigerMike said:
I always hated when people compare the Altima to the G35, when they share nothing in common. It's like saying the Toyota Corolla is the poor mans IS350. I can almost guarantee you that people seriously shopping the G35 are NOT considering the Altima as a serious alternative.



The Altima is a budget minded FWD coupe, and a better comparison would be to a Civic or better yet a Pontiac G6 (looks very close to me). The Altima won't affect the Infiniti brand in the slightest, IMO.
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You're kidding right? First of all the corolla looks nothing like the IS. The Altima coupe, from the pictures I have seen anyway, is a dead ringer for the G coupe. Looking at it from the perspective of a G owner the Altima coupe is a joke. But for an Altima coupe owner, as funny as it sounds, it will be "Check out my G-lite" especially if he throws in the leather package, adds lowering springs and bags some G coupe wheels of ebay :D
 
SpoiledMan said:
You bet it will. It's bling(the looks) that people are after and if they can get the look for $$$$ less then that path will be taken. Why save for a G35 coupe when I can get the Altima coupe that looks nearly the same for so much less?
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Nah, I disagree. Driving an Altima is not going to get you the credibility and experience of driving the Infiniti. People aren't buying G35s for their looks alone. You get an honest RWD sport coupe that competes with the likes of BMW, Lexus, and to an extent Porsche. FWD just isn't the same...I mean why save for a Porsche or Vette, if you can just get a "cheapie" WRX or EVO? The Altima and G are designed for a different crowd, and again, they are not cross shopping, unless we're talking sub 20 year olds wondering if they can swing the Infiniti payments (not the Infiniti target market). The vast majority of Infiniti shoppers are cross shopping BMW, Lexus, Acura, and MB...not the lowly Altima. If you're just after the looks, I call that posing...to be something you're not. And, *noone* is gonna be impressed by an Altima when you drive up in the crowd or have that Valet parked...I guarantee it. They are two totally different rides, even if they do share slight resemblance. If buying an Altima strokes someone's ego into thinking they have something better than they really do, then Nissan won with its sales pitch. In the end, you'll still be stuck with an....Altima. Don't misunserstand me in thinking I'm saying it is a bad car...it certainly represents a nice value for budget coupes, but it is not and never will be in the league of Infiniti or other premium makes. You know, they could have brought the Infiniti G35s down market and sold them as Nissans, but they didn't and there is a reason why...target audience.



The driving experience of that brand new Altima won't be *half* what it is in my 5 year old sedan. Chirping the rear tires, throwing the rear end out slightly going into second at full throttle in my automatic cannot be replaced with that FWDer. :D
 
TigerMike said:
Nah, I disagree. Driving an Altima is not going to get you the credibility and experience of driving the Infiniti.
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It's not about the driving experience for many. What percentage of G35 buyers are weekend "trackers?" I'm not trying to take away from the driving experience of the G or compare it between the two. Think about this, people buy Avalanche's because they can't buy EXT's.
 
TigerMike said:
It's like saying the Toyota Corolla is the poor mans IS350. I can almost guarantee you that people seriously shopping the G35 are NOT considering the Altima as a serious alternative.
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Absolutely not. It's more in line with saying that the Hona Accord is the poor man's Acura TL. In the Altima/G35 case there is definitely a distinction between the cars, as they are based on different platforms. However, one cannot help but notice the similarities in size, room, comfort, engine, and handling (although of course the G35 has the handling advantage of RWD). I can tell you from experience that there will definitely be people cross-shopping the G35 and Altima. The people who only cross-shop the luxury brands are typically only going for cache and bling...and the Altima has the latter down but is missing the former...so it still stands some chance at being looked at.



And you mention the RWD as being a big factor in why you like your car so much...consider the fact that a lot of people looking at the G35 are also cross-shopping such cars as the ES350, A4, 328xi, TSX, TL, IS250AWD, and other non-RWD's. Most people don't care.
 
Sherman8r44 said:
The people who only cross-shop the luxury brands are typically only going for cache and bling...
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I'd like to think that people are shopping the lux brands becasue they recognize the benefits (other than cache or bling) that those brands provide. That is like saying the only reason to own a BMW or Porsche or MB, etc etc (among others) is strictly for the bling. Certainly, they are among the best driving vehicles on the planet...therefore is not necessarily all about the bling to own a lux brand. There is perceived quality and performance factors that no others in the market may match, which is exactly why they are at a premium in the first place. With that premium comes cache and bling, but that's not the primary factor why I think people own fine driving machines.



In developing the G35, it was no secret that they were directly targeting the BMW for driving prowess. That is no small undertaking and the fact that they are so close is a big success. *That* is why I chose to own the Infiniti, and likely many others as well. Sure it gets you more bling than an Altima, but how much closer to the "ultimate driving machine" is the G35 compared to that Altima? If you just want the looks, that's fine, but as they say...looks aren't everything.
 
TigerMike said:
I'd like to think that people are shopping the lux brands becasue they recognize the benefits (other than cache or bling) that those brands provide. That is like saying the only reason to own a BMW or Porsche or MB, etc etc (among others) is strictly for the bling. Certainly, they are among the best driving vehicles on the planet...therefore is not necessarily all about the bling to own a lux brand. There is perceived quality and performance factors that no others in the market may match, which is exactly why they are at a premium in the first place. With that premium comes cache and bling, but that's not the primary factor why I think people own fine driving machines.



In developing the G35, it was no secret that they were directly targeting the BMW for driving prowess. That is no small undertaking and the fact that they are so close is a big success. *That* is why I chose to own the Infiniti, and likely many others as well. Sure it gets you more bling than an Altima, but how much closer to the "ultimate driving machine" is the G35 compared to that Altima? If you just want the looks, that's fine, but as they say...looks aren't everything.
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There's a reason that the ES is Lexus' bestseller BY FAR--a lot of people are more concerned about cache and bling then performance. Yes, the top brands make some excellent performance vehicles, but only some people buy them for the performace--others buy for the performance reputation. Looks certainly aren't everything, but they drive a lot of people into the premier dealerships. There are certainly quite a few "fine driving machines" in the standard ranks of autos, albeit without any cache or fancy dealerships. The Mazda6, despite its FWD, is known for driving prowess VERY close to the 3-series, although its brand cache is nonexistant and it looks too boy-racer for the more executive crowd. The Altima, to a slightly lesser extent, is known for its great dynamics and its engine not too far from the G35's. I haven't driven the new Altima yet, but I bet it's not all that far off the pace from the G35 in driving experience (of course, you won't throttle the tail out, but you know that's not all that goes into a fun-to-drive car). And it's a great value. I bet it'll steal some 350Z and G35 coupe sales.
 
Sherman8r44 said:
Absolutely not. It's more in line with saying that the Hona Accord is the poor man's Acura TL.
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Much better comparison. The similarities are definately there in the Altima and G35. I can also see how Infiniti owners are going to be up in arms and upset about anyone even trying to compare the two.
 
Trust me.. you have to test drive the two to notice a big difference between the Altima and the G35. It's not even close to subtle in difference. For me, it was worth spending the extra $10k. And my wife agreed, who is extremely cheap and doesn't appreciate the subtle differences. She just liked it as a better ride. Also the interior was much more upscale - less plastic no matter how much upgrades you poured into the package.



Plus the other spec that sold me over was the drag coefficient on the G35's were an impressive .26. The other spec was an extremely long wheel base of the FM platform - over 112 inches. I downsized from a Jag XJ6. The G35 wheel base was only a 1/2" shorter!
 
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