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Nissan Altima sedan grows up with great space and high power
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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CARMEL VALLEY, Calif. -- First, we turn onto a twisty strip of pavement not two lanes wide that runs across golden California hills peppered with green live oaks high above Carmel Valley.
Then we wind up so much torque on a big V6 in the revamped Altima, Nissan's four-door sedan scaled up to the mid-size class for 2002.
Next, left foot eases off the brake, the right one tromps the go-pedal as both hands get a firm grip on a sporty steering wheel: And we're off with squealing tires on a hair-raising romp over a wiggly course to demonstrate that a four-door sedan designed to cart all in the family can also play it hard and fast on the fun side of four-wheeling performance.
Plying a short stick from the optional manual shifter, we run the tachometer's needle up to red in each lower gear to maximize momentum as V-rated rubber on 17-inch tires bites into soft asphalt to hold a tight line around one turn after another.
Altima's suspension, independent now at all posts with struts in front and a new multi-link arrangement in the rear, braces the car's body around each corner but allows tires to jig across the erosive pavement.
Steering, feeling firm despite a power boost to the rack and pinion mechanism, responds instantly to a driver's input, cutting hard right in one hairpin, then quickly back to the left for a second, right again on the third, and left and right and left over a virtual slalom course.
Despite the turmoil of hurling the vehicle through successive slingshot corners, we remain comfortably strapped in the driver's bucket that provides a hiked seat position and firm side bolsters to hold the torso in place.
Three recessed binnacles immediately ahead of the steering wheel reveal analog gauges in bright backlit display, with various controls close at hand on dash, door and console.
Altima's new road manners may suggest a spry little sporty car, yet the sedan carves out significant space for riders in an expanded cabin, with two seats in front separated by the console and up to three on a back bench.
Accommodations are strictly comfortable through four different stages of trim.
Fresh exterior styling for Altima looks crisp and clean, but also aggressive and powerful.
Taut skin stretches over muscular shoulders and flat side panels interrupted by bulging fenders. Smooth lines from the arching profile flow down to a forceful prow arranged with bold trapezoidal grille, broad two-slit air scoop and large triangular headlamp clusters.
Sharp exterior forms hint at the new athletic persona of Altima and its powerful engine options, although the spacious passenger compartment with comfortable amenities conveys a different image, one of four-door convenience and people-hauling capability.
Such contradiction defines a unique position for Altima among a crowded field of mid-size sedans where one model looks and feels essentially similar to the next: Nissan makes Altima different from that lot. It's far larger than others, comfortable to the core, but also so keen in style that it stands out -- and it's fired up for fun.
Concepts for Altima's new design came from Nissan's California design studio, with assembly at a massive manufacturing plant in Smyrna, Tenn., where Nissan's patented Intelligent Body Assembly System welds chassis, one-piece bodyside panels, roof and other key parts simultaneously to forge an extremely rigid body structure.
The package size grows considerably in all directions.
Altima's wheelbase stretches for seven inches longer than the previous version. The overall structure increases about six inches in length by more than an inch in width and two inches in height.
Wheels also spread wider on the new chassis, expanding by 1.8 inches up front and 2.4 inches in the rear. Pushing wheels to edges of the platform adds stability to the stance and enhances Altima's agility when cornering.
The larger structure creates a larger passenger compartment, now with nine more cubic feet of space. All interior dimensions improve, but particularly for legroom -- 1.9 inches more up front and 2.6 inches in back.
New mechanical hardware mounts on Altima's structure, beginning with the new independent suspension system.
Lightweight aluminum components show up in the revised front strut system, while in back the multi-link design keeps the tail in line.
Brakes set a disc for each wheel, and a four-wheel anti-lock system is available for all issues. The computer-controlled ABS package adds electronic brake distribution, to modulate the force of braking against various load factors, and Brake Assist that goes to work during a panic stop with full-force braking effort to reduce the emergency stopping distance.
Other safety systems include a sturdy steel cage wrapping the passenger compartment and dual-stage frontal air bags. Side-impact air bags mounted in front seat bolsters plus curtain-style air bags tucked in the roof above front and back side windows group together in an optional package.
Altima appears in four trims described by the size of the two new engine options.
An entry model and two upgraded issues carry a 2.5-liter in-line-four plant and line up as the Altima 2.5, mid-grade 2.5 S and deluxe 2.5 SL.
Top edition Altima 3.5 SE packs a 3.5-liter V6.
The new dual-cam 2.5-liter four in a balanced system with continuously variable valve timing generates 175 hp at 6000 rpm and 180 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. Despite the high output, it qualifies Altima for Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) status.
That new 3.5-liter V6, with twin cams on top and four valves for each cylinder, pumps superior muscle -- up to 240 hp at 5800 rpm with 246 lb-ft of torque at 4400 rpm.
A five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed electronically controlled automatic works with either engine. The automatic brings a gated shift box and optional traction controller.
Equipment increases up the Altima model ladder. Base 2.5 stocks a tilt/telescoping steering column, variable intermittent wipers, overhead map lights and roof console, remote releases for the trunk and fuel door, and rear bench seat split 60/40 with folding seatbacks. The 2.5 S adds a six-speaker stereo with CD player, air conditioning, power mirrors and cruise control, and 2.5 SL with leather seats and power for all equipment also has a premium eight-speaker Bose audio system. Altima 3.5 SE gets everything.
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA Specs |
| Description: |
Mid-size sedan
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| Model Options: |
Mid-size sedan
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| Wheelbase: |
110.2 inches
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| Overall Length: |
191.5 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 2.5-L I4
DOHC 3.5-L V6
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| Transmission: |
Manual/5, Auto/4
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| Drive: |
Front
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| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/opt. ABS/EBS/BA
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| Airbags: |
2 (front) + opt. 2 (side)
+ opt. 2 (side curtain)
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| Gas Mileage: |
I4 M/5: 23/29 mpg
I4 A/4: 23/29 mpg
V6 M/5: 21/26 mpg
V6 A/4: 19/26 mpg
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| Price: |
$ 17,000 to $ 26,000 |
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