2008 Nissan Altima coupe
(April 18 Update - pricing info added) Nissan unveiled the 2008 Altima coupe at the Los Angeles auto show, with sales beginning in summer 2007. "Rather than just eliminating two doors from the Altima Sedan, we gave the Altima Coupe its own style, its own dimensions and its own interpretation of Nissan’s exhilarating driving pleasure," said Bill Bosley, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division.
Though the new coupe shares much with the latest edition of the Altima Sedan, which went on sale in early November 2006. Dimensionally, the Altima Coupe rides on a 105.3-inch wheelbase, a full 4 inches shorter than the Sedan. Overall length is 182.5 inches – 7.1 inches less than the Sedan. The Coupe also has a lower profile – at 55.3 inches it is 2.5 inches shorter than the Sedan. In terms of major body panels, the two cars share only a common hood, with all other panels and lights unique to the coupe.
The new Altima Coupe is offered with a choice of two engines and two transmissions. The 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC V6 is the "next generation" version of the VQ-series V6 offering 270 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Also available with the new Altima Coupe is a 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve QR25 inline 4-cylinder, producing 175 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. Customers can chose between a CVT transmission and a 6-speed manual.
Pricing
The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe 2.5 S with 6-speed manual transmission is $20,490. Altima Coupe 2.5 S CVT with Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) starts at $20,990. The V6-equipped Altima Coupe 3.5 SE 6MT with 6-speed manual has an MSRP of $24,890, while the 3.5 SE Altima Coupe SE CVT with Xtronic CVT starts at $25,390.
Customers will be able to pre-order 2008 Altima Coupes at Nissan dealers beginning today under a special “Reserve Your Coupe” promotion.
The 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC V6 utilized in Altima Coupe 3.5 SE models is the “next generation” version of the 12-time Ward’s “10 Best Engines” award-winning VQ-series V6. For use in the Altima Coupe, it is rated at 270 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Available with the new Altima Coupe 2.5 S models 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).
Altima Coupe models with the 4-cylinder engine are equipped with 16-inch wheels and tires, while V6-equipped Altima Coupes come with unique-design 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and 215/55R17 tires. All 2008 Altima Coupes also come equipped with standard 4-wheel, 4-channel, 4-sensor Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD).
The list of Altima Coupe passenger amenities includes standard Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition and available Bose-developed audio system with nine speakers, Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System, satellite radio and dual-zone automatic temperature control.
Available technology features include a RearView Monitor, which utilizes a small camera to help show the view behind the vehicle when in reverse gear, and Nissan Navigation System with a 6.5-inch color monitor.
The new Altima Coupe also comes equipped with a number of standard safety features, including Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones and Advanced Air Bag System (AABS), which includes dual-stage front supplemental air bags.
Also standard are front seat side-impact supplemental air bags for chest protection and roof-mounted curtain side-impact air bags for front and rear outboard occupant head protection.
