2008 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S COUPE

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1 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S COUPE For the first time, the Altima is available as a two-door coupe. Aside from the hybrid engine, the coupe is available with the same powertrains as the sedan. Where it differs from the sedan is in its dimensions, yielding 10.1 cm in wheelbase, 18.5 cm in length and 6.6 cm in height. The Altima coupe is available in 2.5 S and 3.5 SE trim lines. Interior and trunk The front seats are easy to access and comfortable. Drivers quickly find a good driving position thanks to the tilt-telescoping steering wheel and adjustable seat height. Adjustable lumbar support is available, but only with certain options packages. With the sunroof, headroom is a bit tight for tall individuals. The hard-to-reach rear bench seat is low, and some people may feel claustrophobic behind the relatively big front buckets. Headroom is adequate for people of average height and less, but legroom is very limited for just about everybody. The 60/40-split seatback folds flat, but the releases that unlock each section are in the trunk and hard to reach, even for tall individuals. What s more, if the car is not spanking clean, you ll probably be taking a trip to the cleaners, because it is almost impossible to reach the releases without leaning against the bumper. The trunk lacks height and is small, but it has a relatively wide opening. Convenience and safety features The cabin is very well finished, and the quality of materials is generally good. There are some areas, however, like the covers of some cubbies, where the materials look cheap. Road noise is insufficiently dampened. There are several storage spaces, some quite spacious. The cup holders cannot adequately accommodate small containers.

2 Instruments and controls are well laid out. Everything is illuminated at night, including the glove compartment. The radio volume dial is a bit shallow. When the windshield washers are turned on, the lever has to be held down for at least one second before the wipers start. The washer nozzles are placed under the edge of the hood and can easily be blocked by snow. The heating system is efficient. Safety equipment includes dual front, side and curtain airbags, four-wheel antilock disc brakes, good headlights, and active front head restraints that unfortunately do not adjust high enough for tall people. There are no real head restraints in the back, just two protuberances on the top of the backrest. Outward visibility is good in all directions except on a threequarter-rear angle because of the very large blind zones created by the C-pillars. Additionally, it is hard to judge distances when backing up. In U.S. government tests, the Altima obtained four out of five stars (one less than the sedan) for front-occupant protection in a frontal crash, and five stars for all-occupant protection in a side crash. It earned five stars for rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Altima a good rating, its highest, for driver protection in a frontal offset collision. For all-occupant protection in a rear impact, it received a marginal rating, the second from last. Engine and transmission The 2.5L four-cylinder engine makes 175 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, providing adequate acceleration and pickup. The engine is noisy in average acceleration and up. Performance enthusiasts can obtain a 3.5L V6 that puts out 270 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque for effortless power in all driving situations. In quick acceleration, you even have to watch out for torque steer. Both engines meet stringent Tier2 Bin5 emissions control standards. The Xtronic continuously variable automatic transmission usually functions very smoothly. When braking to a quick stop, and occasionally when accelerating, you can sometimes feel a few jerks from the transmission. When driving at a constant speed between 40 and 60 km-h, the transmission runs the engine at around 1,200 rpm, which causes an unpleasant drone. The transmission s manual mode keeps rmp s higher for sporty driving. On the road The four-wheel independent suspension provides a smooth ride, most of the time. However, some rough patches can cause a firm reaction that occasionally becomes almost harsh. This car has a very firm grip in curves, and it is more agile than the sedan. Road sensation from the suspension is good, and the vehicle has a sturdy feel.

3 The power steering is well weighted, stable and relatively precise and quick. It provides some road feel. The turning circle is a bit wide. Braking is both powerful and fade resistant. Inspection Our inspection at a CAA-Quebec technical inspection centre showed that the Altima s platform is sturdy but that some areas lack rust proofing and several joints are not sealed. As the ball joint is moulded into the suspension A-arm, it may be expensive to replace, as the A-arm will have to be changed as well. Debris can get through openings under the front bumper and damage the air conditioner condenser, which is what happened to our test car even though it had only a few thousand kilometres on the odometer. The overhead camshafts are chain driven. Conclusion Thanks to its different dimensions, the Altima coupe is more agile and a bit more sporty than the sedan. This is a 2+2 coupe, and some people may find the small rear seats unsuitable, especially for long trips. PROS: front comfort, interesting engines, handling, agreeable steering, relatively generous standard equipment, choice of trim lines. CONS: poorly located rear seatback releases, three-quarter rear visibility, small trunk, no rear head restraints, openings under front bumper, rear access and space NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE Engine: 16-valve 2.5-litre 4-cylinder; 24-valve 3.5-litre V6 Horsepower: 175 hp at 5,600 rpm; 270 hp at 6,000 rpm Torque: 180 lb-ft at 3,900 rpm; 258 lb-ft at 4,400 rpm Transmission: 6-speed manual; CVT Suspension: fully independent Brakes: 4-wheel disc Wheelbase: cm Length: cm Width: cm Height: cm Weight: 1,386 to 1,475 kg Tires: P215/60R16; P215/55R17 Towing capacity: 454 kg Air bags: dual front, side cushions and inflatable curtains

4 Fuel consumption (4-cylinder, CVT automatic transmission) Transport Canada rating: City: 8.9 L/100 km (32 mpg) Highway: 6.3 L/100 km (45 mpg) Test result: 9 L/100 km (31 mpg) Temperature: 2 C to 16 C Fuel tank capacity: 76 litres Fuel requirement: regular grade gasoline Acceleration: km/h: 8 seconds km/h: 5.5 seconds Competition: Honda Accord, Pontiac G6, Toyota Solara Warranty: Full basic coverage: 3 years/60,000 km Power train: 5 years /100,000 km Surface corrosion: 3 years /60,000 km Perforation damage: 5 years /unlimited km Emission control system: 3 years /60,000 km (full coverage); 8 years/130,000 km (catalytic converter, electronic control module and onboard diagnostic device) Factory replacement parts Rear bumper: $608 Front brake disc: $105 Brake pads: $103 Muffler: $231 Front fender: $289 Average insurance premium (Quebec City, replacement cost endorsement, claim-free insurance record, female driver or male driver 30 to 40 years old): $898 to $1,049 Price according to trim line: 2.5 S: $27, SE: $31,398 Main options: CVT automatic transmission: $1,200 Premium leather package: $2,500 (2.5 S) Premium package: $4,100 (SE) Navigation package: $3,000 (SE)

5 Price as tested: $28,998 Freight and preparation: $1,300 Dealers: Quebec: 53 Canada: 146 October All rights reserved, CAA-Quebec