Nissan gets vertical lift from Altima
Nissan celebrates its 20th anniversary in Canada with the launch of the fifth generation Altima midsize sedan, the most innovative version since the sedan’s introduction in September 1992. Available with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder or 3.5L VQ six-cylinder engine paired with Nissan’s next-gen Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT), the new Altima is slightly larger than its predecessor and the base 2.5 is one of the lightest vehicles in its segment at 1,410 kilograms.
2013 Nissan Altima
The CVT has been painstakingly redesigned to yield a 40% improvement in fuel economy, which Nissan claims is 38 U.S. mpg (6.2 L/100km) and best fuel economy in this segment. Better aerodynamics (15%), 32-kg reduction in weight (15%), improved tire rolling resistance (10%), engine improvements (10%) and other improvements like a smart alternator (5%) and electric power steering (5%) account for the rest.
The 2.5-litre engine is said to provide best-in-class acceleration, however, Nissan can’t hide the fact the 2.5 and CVT combination sounds like a Sasquatch mating call. Once the vehicle is up to a comfortable cruising speed and the revs die down, it’s surprisingly tranquil with virtually no wind or road noise.
Continue reading my review of the 2013 Nissan Altima on Autonet.ca.