A Choice of Two Efficient Powerplants

Altima's exhilarating driving pleasure comes from a tuned combination
of strong acceleration, responsive handling and dynamic sound --
provided by advanced engine designs and the proven Nissan front-wheel
drive "D" platform.
Altima's independent front suspension with advanced geometry and shock
absorbers with rebound springs provides responsive handling and a
comfortable ride. The subframe-mounted front suspension makes extensive
use of lightweight aluminum parts, while an X-type upper cowl structure
helps establish front body rigidity for suspension mounting. Altima
also features a low engine-mounting position with a six-point
pendulum-type mounting system and the half-shafts are set at equal
angles and nearly parallel to the ground -- virtually eliminating
torque steer.
The rear multi-link independent suspension design separates the rear
shock absorbers and springs for minimized friction and the shocks are
in line with the center of the rear wheels, providing excellent damping
and almost no harshness. Front and rear stabilizer bars are standard.
Altima 3.5 SR offers larger diameter stabilizer bars and unique spring
rates and strut damping, as well as 17-inch wheels and tires.
Two powerplants are once again available in 2010. The 3.5-liter
24-valve DOHC V6 is rated at 270 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque and
offers strong acceleration and a tuned, resonant sound quality. The V6
features minimized friction, superior cylinder head cooling and twin
knock sensors.
Also available is a 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder producing 175
horsepower (170 hp CAL) and 180 lb-ft of torque (175 lb-ft CAL). It
features a silent chain drive and a balancer system (with balancer
changed to a center-mounted location for excellent 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. Altima's
standard dual exhaust system is designed to reduce exhaust backpressure
by 35% on the 4-cylinder and 50% with the V6 (over the previous
generations). Both systems utilize large tube diameters and include
dual chrome-tipped exhaust finishers.
Nissan's advanced Xtronic CVT, which is designed to create a true
synergy between engine and transmission with smooth, responsive,
fluid-feeling performance and efficient operation, is standard on all
models. The CVT has been tailored specifically for use with the Altima.
The V6 CVT features a "Sport" mode controller with a high-speed central
processing unit and Adaptive Shift Controller with adaptive logic for
fast 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. It utilizes 700 programmed algorithms
to adjust to differing conditions, such as uphill or downhill driving,
as well as adapting to three styles of driving -- economy, normal and
sporty.
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System (TCS) is now standard on all Altima models.
Altima's standard twin-orifice vehicle-speed-sensitive power
rack-and-pinion steering system provides light steering effort at low
speeds and a secure feeling at high speeds, along with a balanced, "on
center" feel.
Braking for the 2010 Altima is provided by standard 4-wheel disc brakes
with 4-wheel, 4-channel, 4-sensor Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with
Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), which optimizes brake force
depending on load condition (passengers and cargo). A variable ratio
pivot brake pedal provides a rigid feel at freeway speeds and less
sensitive, more controllable operation in city driving.
The 2010 Altima Sedan 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 and Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS).
Models and Manufacturing
The 2010 Nissan Altima is available in three well-equipped models: 2.5 CVT, 2.5 S CVT and 3.5 SR CVT.
The 2.5 CVT includes standard 175-hp 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder
engine, Xtronic CVT, 4-wheel power-assisted disc brakes (vented front),
independent suspension, 16-inch wheels and tires, velour seat trim,
push button ignition, power windows and door locks, a long list of
standard safety features and much more.
The Altima 2.5 S CVT adds features such as Nissan Intelligent Key;
AM/FM/AUX input 6-speaker audio system, driver and front-passenger
seatback map pockets, driver's footrest finisher, power windows with
driver side one-touch auto up/down and more.
The Altima 3.5 SR CVT model starts with the 270-hp 3.5-liter V6 and
then adds 8-way power driver's seat, 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels,
P215/55R17 all-season radial tires, leather-wrapped steering wheel,
steering wheel audio controls, auto on/off headlights, manual folding
heated sideview mirrors with integrated turn signals, dual illuminated
vanity mirrors with extensions, one-touch auto up/down front windows
and wood-tone finishers (Blonde interior).
A number of option packages are also offered, allowing buyers to
fine-tune the Altima to their precise needs -- including a Convenience
Package, Convenience Plus Package and Premium Audio Package, for the
2.5 S CVT. The Technology Package, offered with the 2.5 S and 3.5 SR,
includes the Nissan Hard Drive Navigation System with 6.5-inch color
monitor and the 9.3GB Music Box hard drive.
The 3.5 SR Premium Package includes leather-appointed seats,
leather-wrapped gearshift knob, power driver lumbar support, heated
front seats, Bose® AM/FM audio system with 9 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, rear-passenger air conditioning vents and
metallic-texture finishers (charcoal interior).
The Sport Package (3.5 SR) offers Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature
Control, power sliding tinted glass moonroof with tilt, sliding
sunshade and one-touch open/close with auto-reverse feature, High
Intensity Discharge (HID) xenon headlights, rear spoiler with
integrated CHMSL and fog lights.
Altima is assembled at the Nissan North America Smyrna and Decherd, Tennessee and Canton, Mississippi Manufacturing plants.