2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid
By Kellen Schefter
Nissan enters the hybrid fray for the first time with the 2007
Altima Hybrid, a low emission, high efficiency family sedan that
competes directly with Toyota's Camry Hybrid. The two share
more than you might think: Nissan licensed Toyota’s hybrid
technology to bring the car to market faster and with less cost.
An electronically-controlled continuously variable transmission
and a 40 hp electric motor/generator are mated to a refined version
of Nissan’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine for a combined
198 hp. The motor provides sole propulsion during initial acceleration
and boosts the engine at higher speeds. EPA estimated fuel economy
stands at 42 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, and emissions
meet California Air Resources Board’s Advanced Technology-Partial
Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) standard.
Every Altima is all-new for 2007, so the hybrid version benefits
from increased body rigidity, a redesigned suspension, and new half-shafts
to reduce the torque-steer that afflicted the previous generation
Altima, though the freshened exterior design retains the best attributes
of that car’s styling. On the inside, softer, more expensive-looking
materials replace much of last year’s hard plastics, and the
more legible instrument display is a huge improvement.
Keep an eye on those gauges – they’re the only clue
that the car has started. The new intelligent key system senses
when the key is present and replaces the twist ignition with a start
button. The engine didn’t fire up until we mashed the throttle
to pull into traffic, and even then the transition was nearly imperceptible.
Acceleration is markedly stronger than last year’s four-cylinder.
The new suspension feels more compliant too, without making any
handling sacrifices.
The 2007 Altima Hybrid is manufactured at Nissan’s plant in
Smyrna, Tennessee and available only in the eight states that have
adopted California emissions regulations: California, Connecticut,
Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.
Here, the cost of entry is $24,990, some $1,200 less than its direct
competition, the Toyota Camry Hybrid. For reference, that price
is about $2,400 more than the four-cylinder Altima 2.5 S CVT and
$1,800 less than the V-6 powered Altima 3.5 SE CVT, factoring in
the IRS Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit of $2,350 that’s
currently available on the Altima Hybrid. Plus, at EPA’s estimated
fuel economy, the Altima Hybrid brings an additional 22 mpg city
and 7 mpg highway over that of the V-6...a big motivator for hybrid
purchases these days.
SECOND OPINION
This drive has been long anticipated. Nearly three years ago,
we reported on our behind-the-wheel experience with a very early
engineering version of Nissan's upcoming Altima Hybrid. While
this was based on the previous generation model, it provided a
snapshot of Nissan's intentions: the integration of advanced technology
that would allow the company's first hybrid to be clean, fuel
efficient, and importantly, performance-oriented. Here we are,
several years down the road and piloting the 2007 Nissan Altima
Hybrid production model through the twists and turns of rural
highways, letting it loose on straightaways and in general enjoying
the spirited driving that Nissan is noted for bringing its customers.
The car is tight, responsive, satisfying. If the mission was to
step up to hybrid power in a way that provides greater efficiency
while also honoring the marque's performance core value, then
mission accomplished. – Ron Cogan
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