2010 Nissan Altima Coupe

Press release

The sporty, 2-door Nissan Altima Coupe enters its third year of production in 2010, once again offering a high-value, high-quality, high style coupe for Altima customers seeking a more personal expression of individuality and fashionable appearance.

For 2010, Altima Coupe receives a number of significant enhancements with new exterior styling, three new exterior colors, refined interior fabrics, a new available red leather-appointed interior color and revised option package content, including an advanced Nissan Hard Drive Navigation System and Bose® premium audio system with 7 speakers and a 4.3-inch color display. In addition, a new Altima 3.5 SR model designation replaces the previous 3.5 SE model designation, with unique content for manual transmission-equipped 3.5 SR 6MT.

The 2010 Altima Coupe is available in 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engine-equipped 2.5 S and 3.5-liter V6 engine-equipped 3.5 SR trim levels, each offered with a choice of a 6-speed manual transmission or Nissan’s advanced Xtronic CVT™ (Continuously Variable Transmission).

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 smaller size and lighter overall weight also contribute to the Coupe’s sportier driving feel – a desired attribute of the typically younger, more performance-oriented coupe buyers.

Also offered is a long list of user-friendly technology features – including standard Nissan Intelligent Key™ with Push Button Ignition and available Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System with audio streaming and RearView Monitor.

“Starting with the popular Altima Sedan, which has proven that a practical, high quality sedan doesn’t have to be boring, the Altima Coupe adds a personality all its own – taking the best elements of Altima to new levels of sleek sophistication and exhilarating control,” said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. “The enhancements for 2010 are substantial, providing even greater differentiation from the Sedan and upping the entertainment factor of an already terrifically satisfying sporty coupe.”

A Revised Exterior and Interior for 2010

Dimensionally, the Altima Coupe rides on a 105.3-inch wheelbase, a full 4.0 inches shorter than the Altima Sedan. Overall length is 180.9 inches – nearly 10 inches less than the Sedan. The Coupe also has a lower profile – at 55.9 inches it is 2.1 inches lower than the Sedan. In terms of major body panels, the two cars share only a common hood, with all other panels, grille, headlights and rear combination lights unique to the Altima Coupe. Two chrome exhaust tips with unique rear taillights form a distinctive rear presence.

For 2010, Altima Coupe receives a revised hood, grille and front bumper, along with new projector beam headlights and standard 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. Altima 3.5 SR models offer standard 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with Michelin P235/45R18 tires.

Inside, the 2010 Altima Coupe offers revised interior fabrics and finishers, a new red leather-appointed interior color selection and a revised Blonde interior color. The gauge appearance has been changed to incorporate a new white illumination color ad the automatic transmission finisher features a revised design. The big news inside, however, lands squarely on the enhanced entertainment and technology features. The new premium audio system includes a 4.3-inch color display, USB port with iPod® connectivity, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, MP3/WMA CD-ROM playback and XM® Satellite Radio (XM® subscription required, sold separately). A RearView Monitor is also offered with the Premium Audio Package.

Also new is a next-generation Nissan Hard Drive Navigation System with 6.5-inch VGA color display, USB port with iPod® connectivity, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System with audio streaming, 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) and an RCA input for auxiliary audio/video connectivity.

As in previous years, the 2010 Altima Coupe’s accommodating, driver-oriented interior includes unique sport-style front seats with more side support (versus Altima Sedan), in-board release lever and front seat storage pockets. All Altima Coupes also utilize a parking brake hand lever (versus foot release for Altima Sedans). The Coupe also includes a 60/40 split and flat fold-down rear seat.

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 center console includes a double front cup holder, among the many convenient cup and bottle areas and storage compartments.

The 2010 Altima Coupe also comes equipped with a number of standard safety features, including the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt and occupant classification sensors, front seat-mounted side impact supplemental air bags and roof-mounted curtain side impact supplemental air bags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection.

Other standard equipment includes front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters, front seat Active Head Restraints, the LATCH System (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren), Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Traction Control System (TCS) and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Exhilarating Performance

Under Altima Coupe’s sophisticated exterior design is Nissan’s advanced “D” platform, developed with the objective of making Altima one of the best performing large front-wheel drive vehicles available globally. A number of items help to virtually eliminate torque steer on the Altima Coupe, including suspension geometry, an engine placement that is lower in the subframe and equal-length half-shafts that have equal angles and are more parallel to the ground (than the previous platform design).

The Coupe’s 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.

Ample power is supplied from a choice of two engines and two transmissions. The 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC V6 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 twin knock sensors.

Also available is a 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve QR25 inline 4-cylinder, producing 175 horsepower (170 hp CAL) and 180 lb-ft of torque (175 lb-ft CAL). This engine has been refined from the previous version, with a larger, equal-length intake manifold, increased compression ratio and reduced friction characteristics. It features a silent chain drive and a balancer system (with balancer changed to a center-mounted location for better NVH) that effectively negates vibrations without taking up much space – combining ideal packaging and smoothness.

Both engines feature continuously variable valve timing, modular engine design, microfinished crank journals and cam lobes, molybdenum coated lightweight pistons and electronically controlled throttles. The 3.5-liter V6 and 2.5-liter 4-cylinder models are each available with Nissan’s advanced Xtronic CVT™ (Continuously Variable Transmission) or 6-speed manual transmissions.

The V6 CVT features a “Sport” mode controller with a high-speed central processing unit and Adaptive Shift Controller with adaptive logic for faster shifting in both normal and manual modes. The adaptive logic feature delivers the best shift pattern based on the driving environment and driver’s actions.

Also contributing to Altima Coupe’s sporty performance feel are a standard twin-orifice vehicle-speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering system and 4-wheel disc brakes with standard 4-wheel, 4-channel, 4-sensor Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD).

Four Well-Equipped Models

The 2010 Altima Coupe is available in four well-equipped models: 2.5 S 6MT, 2.5 S CVT, 3.5 SR 6MT and 3.5 SR CVT.

In addition to the many standard features of the 2.5 S models, the Coupe 3.5 SR CVT adds the 270-hp 3.5-liter V6, 8-way power driver’s seat, 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with P235/45R18 all-season radial tires, power glass moonroof with sliding sunshade, leather-wrapped steering wheel and steering wheels audio controls, fog lights, auto on/off headlights, heated sideview mirrors with integrated turn signals, dual illuminated vanity mirrors with illumination and extensions, unique exhaust tailpipe finisher, driver’s seat manual lumbar support and wood-tone finishers (blonde interior).

To that long list of equipment, the Coupe 3.5 SR 6MT also includes leather-appointed seats, leather-wrapped gearshift knob, heated driver and front passenger seats, Bose® AM/FM audio system with 7 speakers, 4.3-inch color display, RearView Monitor, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, USB Port with iPod® Connectivity, XM® Satellite Radio, MP3/WMA CD-ROM playback compatibility, Radio Data System (RDS), speed-sensitive auto volume, auto-dimming rearview mirror, HomeLink® Universal Transceiver, compass, mood lighting, metallic texture finishers, Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control and High Intensity Discharge (HID) Xenon headlights.

Available equipment packages include the 2.5 Convenience Package (2.5 S) with 8-way power driver’s seat with manual lumbar adjustment, auto on/off headlights, leather-wrapped steering wheel, wood grain trim finishers for Blonde interior and more; and the 2.5 S Premium Package (2.5 S) with Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control, power sliding glass moonroof, Bose® AM/FM audio system with 7 speakers, 4.3-inch color display, RearView Monitor, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, USB Port with iPod® Connectivity, XM® Satellite Radio, MP3/WMA CD-ROM playback compatibility and more.

The Leather Package (2.5 S CVT, 3.5 SR CVT, standard on 3.5 SR 6MT) includes leather-appointed seats, heated front seats, leather-wrapped gear shift knob, High Intensity Discharge (HID) Xenon headlights, auto-dimming rearview mirror, HomeLink® Universal Transceiver and more.

The optional 3.5 SR Premium Package (3.5 SR CVT, standard on 3.5 SR 6MT) adds Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control, Bose® AM/FM audio system with 7 speakers, 4.3-inch color display, RearView Monitor, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, USB Port with iPod® Connectivity, XM® Satellite Radio, MP3/WMA CD-ROM playback compatibility and more. Finally, the Technology Package adds the upgrade Nissan Hard Drive Navigation System, 9.3GB Music Box hard drive, DVD player and more.

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Specifications

Body

• Revised hood, grille and front bumper designs, new projector beam headlights
• 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels now standard on 2.5 S models (18-inch on 3.5 SR)
• Sporty and sophisticated exterior design, with all major exterior body panels (except hood) different from Altima Sedan
• Unique grille (with high-gloss finish) and front headlights design, unique rear combination lamps
• 4.0-inch shorter wheelbase than Altima Sedan (105.3 versus 109.3 inches) for enhanced style, handling and maneuverability (including a smaller turning radius
• 9.8-inch shorter overall length, with reduced rear overhang, than Altima Sedan (180.9 versus 190.7 inches)
• 2.1-inch lower overall height than Altima Sedan (55.9 versus 58.0 inches)
• Unique 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and tailpipe finishers (3.5 SR models)
• Three new exterior colors – Crimson Black, Navy Blue and Ocean Gray

Engine and Driveline

• 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 with 270 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque or refined 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve inline 4-cylinder with 175 horsepower (170 hp CAL) and 180 lb-ft torque (175 lb-ft CAL)
• Standard dual exhaust with both engines
• Xtronic CVT™ (Continuously Variable Transmission) designed for fluid-feeling performance and efficient operation – V6 utilizes a unique controller with adaptive logic and is performance-tuned
• Xtronic CVT available with both V6 and 4-cylinder engines
• Refined 6-speed manual transmission with a short shift throw and smooth shifting feel (available with both V6 and 4-cylinder engines)

Suspension, Steering and Braking

• Advanced Nissan “D” front-wheel drive platform
• Independent strut with coil springs front suspension design, equal-length, equal-angle, near parallel to the ground half shafts
• Advanced multi-link independent rear suspension design with an emphasis on nimbleness and good ride comfort
• Front and rear stabilizer bars
• Shock absorbers with rebound springs for secure cornering feel
• Power-assisted vehicle-speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering system provides light effort at low speeds, secure feeling at high speeds
• Power-assisted front vented disc/solid rear disc with standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD)
• 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 215/55R17 tires (2.5 S)
• 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 235/45R18 tires (3.5 SR)

Interior Features

• Revised interior fabrics and finishers, revised Blonde interior color
• New red leather-appointed interior color added
• Gauge appearance changed to white illumination
• Revised automatic transmission finisher design
• New premium audio system, includes a 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
• New next-generation Nissan Hard Drive Navigation System with 6.5-inch VGA color display, USB port with iPod® connectivity, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System with audio streaming, 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) and an RCA input for auxiliary audio/video connectivity
• Sporty, comfortable, highly bolstered front seats, front seats storage pockets, inboard release lever (for rear seat passenger convenience)
• Available leather-appointed interior
• Available 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat (standard on 3.5 SR)
• Rear 60/40 split flat fold-down rear seat
• High quality interior feel with refined workmanship, use of soft materials (such as padded armrests) and chrome accents, oversize vanity mirror in driver and passenger side sun visors
• Hand lever-style parking brake release (versus foot-release for Altima Sedan)
• Sporty interior space with innovative amenities, including Fine Vision illumination display instrument panel
• Nissan Intelligent Key™ with Push Button Ignition
• Convenient covered storage compartments, cup or bottle holders
• Available Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System
• Available Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control
• Available RearView Monitor (standard on 3.5 SR 6MT)
• Available sliding glass moonroof with sunshade (standard on 3.5 SR)
• Available HomeLink® Universal Transceiver (standard on 3.5 SR 6MT)

Safety

• Standard Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt and occupant classification sensors
• Standard front seat-mounted side impact supplemental air bags
• Standard roof-mounted curtain side impact supplemental air bags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection
• Front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters
• Front seat Active Head Restraints
• LATCH System (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
• Zone Body construction
• Standard Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
• Standard Traction Control System (TCS)
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

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Prices and Options

Packages

Options

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Competitors and press reviews

"In all driving conditions, we found the throttle responsive, delivering a satisfying push from the engine when we used the gas pedal. Driving around urban areas, the Altima Coupe stepped easily off the line without requiring pedal mashing. When we did floor the gas from a stop, the car responded adequately, not peel-your-eyelids-back fast, but with reasonable quickness. On the freeway, the CVT dug up power when we wanted to pass another car easily enough. Handling in the Altima Coupe is similar to the power train, in that it’s not at the top of the sporting class, but can still deliver some thrills. When pushed around a hard corner, the car stays composed up to a point, helped by stabilizer bars in the suspension, standard equipment in all Altimas. Its capabilities are mostly in line with a car in its class; get too crazy with it and the front-wheel-drive front end will head in the wrong direction." (CNET)

"Should you push the car a little harder, it allows the engine speed to reach peak horsepower, and holds it there while the Altima accelerates around it. Although definitely a disconcerting feeling, the high-rpm rubber band effect works just fine, and dispatching slow-moving vehicles on two-lane highways was incredibly easy. And tackling the corners was just as easy. With light, speed-sensitive rack and pinion steering and a multi-link rear suspension, the coupe felt light and nimble; more at home picking apart tight, technical roads than bombing through high-speed sweepers. With great body control and remarkably communicative steering, the whole car came together quite well in the corners thanks to the combination of the V6’s ability to produce great power coupled with the CVT’s ability to control it." (CarGuideWeb)

"The chassis exhibits very little body roll, and the suspension inspires confidence when going hard into a corner. Lead footed driver’s be careful, because if he or she applies too much pressure they will quickly be reminded that the engine is sending all 258 lb-ft of torque to the same wheels that are in charge of steering, resulting in under steer, just one of the many drawbacks of front wheel drive. It takes a minute to get used to the way a CVT drives, it’s not everyday that you drive a car that can hold the revs at around 5000 and continues to pull hard, but that is exactly what the continuously variable transmission does, keeping the engine in a sweet spot throughout acceleration." (TopSpeed)

Competitors

The 2010 Genesis Coupe comes with a choice of two engines: a 3.8-liter Lambda DOHC V6 engine delivers an estimated 306 hp and 263 lb.-ft. of torque and a turbocharged, intercooled 2.0-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder that delivers a total of 212 hp and 217 lb.-ft. of torque. Prices start at $22,750 and go up to $31,750.

Honda Accord Coupe

The 2010 Honda Accord Coupe is offered with a choice of two engines: a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder that delivers 190 hp and 162 lbs-ft and 3.5-liter V-6 engine with a total output of 271 hp and 251 lbs-ft of torque. Prices start at $22,555 and go up to $31,305.

Mitsubishi Eclipse Coupe

The 2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse is offered in two trim versions: GS with prices starting from $20,699 and GT with prices starting from $28,089. The GS versions are powered by a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with an output of 162 hp, while the GT ones get a 3.8-liter V-6 engine with 265 hp.

Conclusion

The 2010 Altima Coupe is a sporty looking coupe with a silhouette that mimics that of the Infiniti G37 and low seating position that will easily offer you the sensation of a proper sports car. The interior features plenty of well-textured, soft-touch materials, although Bluetooth phone system is fairly basic.

And even if Nissan is offering an entry-level model, for sure is the GT you want to buy as the four-cylinder engine will not offer you the excitement you need. But once you get the V6 version you will have a car that is fun to drive, that hardly waits to be pushed to its limits when the engine reaches the peak horsepower, and holds it there while the Altima accelerates around it. While cornering the Altima Coupe fells light and nimble and offers great body control and remarkably communicative steering.

So, the bottom line is that the Altima Coupe offers an excellent level of comfort on the inside and is attractive from any angle outside.