Nissan announced a new and refreshed 2016 Nissan Altima, which includes a Maxima-inspired design, improved highway fuel saver, a new sport-oriented SR trim, and several new safety features. Nissan’s Altima is already the second best-selling midsize sedan so far this year, behind the Toyota Camry. Nevertheless, the competitiveness of the market, keeps the company constantly innovating.
The Altima changes for the next year’s new model include a new exterior look, a refined personal space interior, enhanced connectivity, more available safety and security features and an expanded model lineup. All designed and developed to make the Altima a better value and choice for mid-size sedan customers.
“The enhancements were made with input from our customers – a quieter ride, so we added extensive noise isolation features such as an acoustic-glass windshield. They wanted more standard features, a more responsive driving feel and more personal style – check, check and check. This new Altima is the most dynamic, comfortable and best-equipped mid-size sedan we’ve ever built,” said Pierre Loing, Vice President, Product Planning, Nissan North America, Inc.
This move from the Japanese automobile manufacturer, is not surprising as the Altima has been one of Nissan’s top performers, establishing record sales for each of the past years’ models. Clearly, Nissan wants to keep this path.
The major change for the 2016 Altima is its new aerodynamic exterior style that adopts Nissan’s “Energetic Flow” design language already featured in models such as the Murano and Maxima. The interior of the car has also been enhanced with extra functionality due to more connectivity options, electronic convenience and safety features.
The interior includes revised center stack with a 5-inch display standard rearview camera and 7-inch screens accompany navigation-equipped models. Additionally, sound deadening and an acoustically laminated windshield should make the cabin quieter.
A series of NissanConnect services will also be offered, including automatic collision notification, smartphone remote start, stolen vehicle locator and dealer service scheduling, as well as Siri Eyes-Free with your iPhone. However, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not part of the automobile.
Furthermore, a catalog of available safety and driver-assistance features will come with the 2016 Altima model, including predictive forward collision warning with emergency auto-brake, intelligent cruise control and rear cross-traffic alert.
Under the hood, there has not been minor changes. Users can choose between a four-cylinder or V-6. The four-cylinder is a 2.5-liter unit good for 182 horsepower, and it comes integrated to a CVT. The six-cylinder is a 3.5-liter unit with 270 hp on tap. The bigger engine also comes mated to CVT but has paddle shifters for pseudo manual control.
Additionally, a number of minor friction-reducing alterations and a 10% improvement in aerodynamics provides in a slight mileage improvement, with most I-4 models up to 27 miles per gallon in the city and 39 mpg on the highway.
Moreover, buyers looking to make their Altima look a more sporty, can choose a SR trim that adds unique suspension components as well as 18 wheels and performance tires. The SR trim is available with either engine and can be recognized by its 18-inch wheels, darkened headlight surrounds, rear spoiler and fog lights. Customers of the V-6-powered Altima also get LED headlights with the SR trim.
While full pricing has not yet been revealed, the 2016 Altima will come out in November, and it is expected to start at $23,125.
“Despite the remarkable success of the current model Altima in the marketplace, which has seen a more than 60% increase in sales since 2009, no area was left untouched in redesigning our cornerstone Altima sedan for the 2016 model year. While so much attention in the marketplace currently is focused on compact SUVs like our redesigned Nissan Rogue, the mid-size sedan segment remains strong and has become extremely competitive. We’re determined to keep our sales growth alive with this vibrant new Altima for 2016,” added Loing.
Source: Nissan