Nissan unveiled an all-new third generation Altima sedan at the 2001 New York International Auto Show. The 2002 Altima features a choice of 4-cylinder or V6 power, distinctive exterior design, sophisticated drivetrain, performance-oriented suspension and increases in all major interior dimensions. The larger, more powerful Altima went on sale in September 2001.
"The 2002 Altima provides unparalleled performance, design and innovation in the midsize sedan category," said Ian Forsyth, director, marketing, Nissan Canada Inc. "It's a distinctive sedan with spirited performance and style designed to go head-to-head against the longtime class leaders."
Nissan's designers and engineers started with a clean sheet of paper when designing the 2002 Altima, including an all-new platform. "Altima was conceived to be a spirited sedan that feels alive and secure - where car and driver feel like one," adds Forsyth. "By focusing on three key areas - design, performance and roominess, we've created a vehicle that we believe sets a new standard in its class."
Expressive Exterior Design
The 2002 Altima's powerful design begins with its wedge shape with a high waistline and pronounced character lines. An arched silhouette, slanted back window and integrated front and rear bumper shapes give the sedan a fluid, smooth form.
The front fascia features a prominent grille with the new, large Nissan badge and integrated headlights. The rear fascia is elegant and clean, with cutouts for the dual exhaust system (V6 only).
Large 16- and 17-inch wheels give Altima a performance look with an aggressive stance. "Altima looks like it's moving when it's standing still," said Forsyth. "From a design standpoint, it's head and shoulders above the competition."
2002 Altima is a much larger vehicle than before - wheelbase has been increased 180 mm (7.1 inches) to 2799 mm (110.2 inches), overall length is up 148 mm (5.7 inches) to 4864 mm (191.5 inches) and the Altima is 33 mm (1.3 inches) wider for a total of 1788 mm (70.4 inches). Height has also increased by 51 mm (2.0 inches) to 1471 mm (57.9 inches) with 16-inch tires. Track has been increased by 46 mm (1.8 inches) in front and 61 mm (2.4 inches) in the rear for increased handling capability and a substantial look.
A first for Nissan and Altima is the use of aluminum panels for the hood and trunk. Weight savings is 55 percent between the two pieces, making them easier to open and close.
Finely crafted combination headlights and large round taillights with clear lenses give the Altima an upscale appearance. Green-tinted UV-reducing solar glass enhances Altima's luxury look, protects interior fabrics and improves passenger comfort.
Altima is assembled at the award-winning Nissan North America Manufacturing Smyrna plant using the Intelligent Body Assembly System (IBAS), which produces panel fit accuracy within +/- 1.0 mm. Altima is the first Nissan assembled in Tennessee to utilize a one-piece bodyside structure - a key feature for uniform panel gap and quality.
Body and structural improvements made to the 2002 Altima add up to a 65 percent increase in overall body stiffness versus the previous model. The increased stiffness and solidity increase driving stability and ride comfort while reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).
2002 Altima is available in a choice of ten exterior colours, all chosen to complement the sedan's body and personality.
Dynamic Performance and Innovative Technology Systems
A new 240-horsepower 3.5-litre DOHC 24-valve V6 with 246 lb-ft of torque is available in the 2002 Altima, the first time a V6 has been offered in this sedan. The 3.5-litre V6 is part of the VQ engine series, which has been recognized as one of the "Ten Best Engines" by Ward's Auto World magazine for seven consecutive years. For silent, smooth operation, a new timing chain was added, as well as a new dual exhaust system. V6-powered Altimas qualify for Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) status.
Also available on 2002 Altimas is an all-new 175-horsepower 2.5-litre DOHC 16-valve
4-cylinder producing 180 lb-ft of torque, an increase of 20 horsepower and 24 lb-ft from the previous generation's 2.4-litre engine. This engine, called QR25, features continuously variable valve timing, a silent chain drive and a balancer system that effectively negates vibrations without taking up much space - combining ideal packaging and smoothness. All 2.5-litre 4-cylinder-equipped Altimas qualify for Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) status.
Both engines feature a modular engine design, microfinished crank journals and cam lobes, molybdenum coated lightweight pistons and electronically controlled throttles.
Backing each engine is a choice of 5-speed manual or 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmissions. Automatic transmission-equipped V6 Altimas offer a standard traction control system. This advanced system uses a combination of throttle, fuel cutoff and shift schedule to aid traction in off-the-line starts and slippery situations.
A 76 litre fuel tank provides a long range between fill-ups.
The 2002 Altima features an all-new front suspension with an extensive use of aluminum parts, which is eight percent lighter than a comparable steel design. A cradle-type frame with an offset coil spring and lower transverse link layout provides better handling and riding performance, cutting 30 percent of lateral forces acting on the front suspension.
The rear multi-link independent suspension of the 2002 Altima was adapted and improved from the Japanese-market Nissan Skyline supercar and is similar to Infiniti's flagship 2002 Q45 sedan. The rear shocks and springs are separated for reduced friction and the shock is in line with the centre of the rear wheels, providing better damping and less harshness. In addition, the rear suspension is approximately six percent lighter than the rear suspension in the previous generation Altima.
Overall torsional rigidity has increased by 65 percent, which should help provide confident handling. For a quiet ride, numerous countermeasures have been taken to improve noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).
All 4-cylinder Altimas come with 205/65R16 tires on either steel or aluminum-alloy wheels and V6 models have standard 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and 215/55R17 tires.
Braking is provided by standard 4-wheel disc brakes with an optional 4-wheel, 4-channel,
4-sensor Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). ABS-equipped Altimas feature two advanced braking systems - Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), which optimizes brake force depending on load condition (passengers and cargo) and Brake Assist, which senses hard or panic pedal application and helps provide maximum braking capacity.
From a safety standpoint, Altima comes with standard dual-stage supplemental air bags that sense seatbelt use and collision severity and deploy accordingly. Optional are front seat side-impact supplemental air bags and roof-mounted side-impact curtain air bags for front- and rear-seat occupant head protection.
Also standard are seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters and the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) child seat anchors and tether system.
Inviting Interior Design
2002 Altima's all-new interior is a contemporary design that is relaxed, modern and comfortable, emphasizing a harmony between driver and machine. The large cabin is designed to be among the best in class with cabin volume at 2922 L (103.2 cubic feet), up 261 L (9.2 cubic feet) from the previous Altima. All major interior dimensions increase from the previous vehicle, including a 33 mm (1.3-inch) increase in front headroom, 48 mm (1.9-inch) increase in front legroom, 66 mm (2.6-inch) increase in rear legroom and increases of front and rear hip and shoulder room.
A new interior colour and design strategy was created by Nissan designers for the 2002 Altima. Instead of standard interior colour selections, there are distinctive "environments" that encompass both seat cloth or (optional) leather colour and interior surface trim finish, including audio faceplate and HVAC controls. The three atmosphere choices feature colours of Charcoal, Blond and Frost.
The instrument panel is designed to fall away from the occupants for increased legroom and improved ingress and egress. The panel is a high tech design with a three-gauge "cockpit" instrument pod. The gauges feature a fine vision meter illumination system for superior visibility. In the gauge cluster is an available multi-function trip computer, which includes an odometer, twin trip meters and a display for outside air temperature, driving time, average speed, fuel consumption and distance to empty.
For the driver, there's a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, height-adjustable centre console armrest and gated automatic transmission shifter with a formed gearshift knob design. HVAC and audio controls are grouped in a single unit, reducing complexity.
Additional features include a power port inside the centre console storage area for a mobile phone, large cup holders that can hold up to a one-litre bottle, roof-mounted map light and sunglass holder. Power windows and locks are standard and windows can be opened remotely via key fob for cabin venting.
Audio systems include a standard 6-speaker AM/FM/CD with an available in-dash
6-disc CD changer. Optional is a radio data system (RDS), speed-sensitive volume control and steering wheel audio controls. Also optional on leather models is an 8-speaker Bose® Premium audio system with an AM/FM/in-dash 6-disc CD changer with RDS, speed-sensitive volume control and steering wheel audio controls.
The 2002 Altima also features a large trunk with cargo net. The trunk measures 442 L (15.6 cubic feet), a full 51 L (1.8 cubic feet) larger than the 2001 model.
Models and Options
The 2002 Nissan Altima will be available in three different models - the base 2.5 S, luxurious 2.5 SL and the V6-powered 3.5 SE. Options range from an automatic transmission to leather-appointed seats, audio systems, front seat side-impact air bags and roof-mounted side-impact curtain air bags.