The 2011 Altima Sedan returns to the Nissan lineup with advanced technology increasing its safety and convenience with the RearView Monitor’s 4.3” display. Also new for 2011 are three new colours refining the exterior look.
Altima will also feature more convenience and technology features for 2011, including a RearView Monitor with a 4.3-inch colour display screen, which has been added to the 2.5 SL and 3.5 SR Leather Packages.
The fourth-generation Altima continues to utilize the Nissan “D” platform with its improved body rigidity and a redesigned, sporty suspension. This new platform was developed as the foundation that makes Altima one of the best large front-wheel drive sedans available. Altima is available with a 6-speed manual transmission or Nissan’s advanced Xtronic CVT™ (Continuously Variable Transmission) on the powerful 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine or with the award-winning VQ-series 3.5-litre V6.and Nissan’s advanced Xtronic CVT™ (Continuously Variable Transmission).
“This next generation Altima, with its increased safety technology increases the Altimas’s reliability expected by its drivers,” said Judy Wheeler, Marketing Director, , Nissan Canada Inc.
Distinctive, Sporty Styling
The 2011 Altima’s exterior styling is a continuation of Altima’s distinctive, iconic, sporty design. It offers a “dynamic simplicity” with an aggressive stance, a new front fascia with new grille, powerful front fenders, strong wedge character line, forward A-pillars and Nissan-family roofline, Altima-style taillights and dual exhaust finishers on all models.
The 2776mm (109.3-inch) wheelbase and short front and rear overhangs (with an overall length of 4821 mm / 189.8 inches) enhances Altima’s agile maneuverability and contribute to its sporty, aggressive appearance. Altima’s chassis layout also offers roomy front and rear interior headroom and legroom, plus ample cargo storage with 13.1 cubic feet of trunk space.
The 2011 Altima is available in eight exterior colours, including Airstream, Saharan Stone and Hematite Grey, which replace Silver Mist, Toasted Almond and Niagara Grey.
Attention to Quality and Detail
The 2011 Altima continues to emphasize refined workmanship and the use of soft materials, such as padded armrests and stylish chrome accents. Interior noise levels are minimized by the rigid “D” platform and increased sound insulation.
Altima’s instrument panel features a Fine Vision gauge display for precise readability and the L-shaped flow of the instrument panel to the centre console adds to a driver-oriented cockpit feel. The centre console includes a triple front cup holder design (CVT-equipped models), among the many convenient cup and bottle areas (up to nine total, including 20-ounce bottle holders in the door panels) and storage compartments, many of which are covered. The volume of the glove compartment is also substantial, measuring an accommodating 0.46 cubic feet.
Three interiors colours are available – charcoal, blond and frost. The interior is offered in both high quality soft-touch fabric and with leather-appointed seating.
Among the innovative amenities is standard Nissan Intelligent Key® with Push Button Ignition, available Bose® developed audio system with nine speakers, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System and dual-zone Automatic Climate Control.
Advanced Platform, Engaging Performance
Altima’s exhilarating driving pleasure comes from a tuned combination of strong acceleration, responsive handling and dynamic sound – provided by the rigid “D” platform and advanced engine designs.
Nissan’s innovative “D” platform offers improved body rigidity over the previous design, and an advanced independent front suspension with dynamic geometry and shock absorbers with rebound springs. A low engine-mounting position features 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.
Altima’s subframe-mounted front suspension makes extensive use of lightweight aluminum parts. An X-type upper cowl structure helps establish front body rigidity for suspension mounting. 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 centre 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.
Two powerplants are available in the 2011 Altima, the 14-time Ward’s “10 Best Engines” award-winning VQ-series V6 and an inline 4-cylinder. The 3.5-litre 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-litre DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder producing 175 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. The QR25 engine was refined for 2007 with a larger intake manifold, increased compression ratio (9.6:1 from 9.5:1) and reduced friction characteristics. It features a silent chain drive and a balancer system (with balancer changed to a centre-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 per cent on the 4-cylinder and 50 per cent with the V6 (over the previous generations). Both systems utilize large tube diameters and include dual chrome-tipped exhaust finishers.
Smooth, Efficient Xtronic CVT
The 4-cylinder engine for 2011 Altima is offered with a choice of two transmissions: a 6-speed, narrow-gate manual features low friction, short shift stroke, high torque capacity and close gear ratios covering a wide range or the Xtronic CVT designed to create a true synergy between engine and transmission with smooth, responsive and fluid-feeling performance. The V6 engine is available only with the Xtronic CVT. The CVT units utilized with both engines have been tailored specifically for use with 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 perceived intentions. 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.
Traction Control System (TCS) and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) are also now standard on all models.
Superior Structure, Steering and Braking
The 2011 Altima’s sturdy body structure includes extensive use of Ultra High Strength Steel, which is utilized in many locations around the vehicle, including side-impact areas. 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 secure, “on centre” feel.
Braking for the 2011 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.
Altima models equipped with the 4-cylinder engine are equipped with 16-inch wheels (steel wheels with covers on the 2.5 S, aluminum-alloy wheels are optional on 2.5 S and standard on 2.5 S with SL Package) and 215/60R16 tires. The V6-equipped Altima 3.5 S comes standard with 16-inch steel wheels with covers, while the Altima 3.5 SR features 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and 215/55R17 tires.
Safety, Security and Convenience
Altima 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.
Other standard equipment includes front seat Active Head Restraints, the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat anchors and tether system and Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS). Added convenience is provided by the available RearView Monitor, which utilizes a small camera to help show the view behind the vehicle when in reverse gear.
Other available convenience features include an 8-way power driver’s seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, power sliding glass moonroof, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, XM® Satellite Radio (subscription sold separately), HomeLink® Universal Transceiver, leather-appointed seating, heated front driver and passenger seats, dual-zone Automatic Climate Control and rear-passenger air conditioning vents.
Models and Manufacturing
The 2011 Nissan Altima will be available in four well-equipped models: 2.5 S, 2.5 S with SL Package, 3.5 S and 3.5 SR.
The 2011 Altima is assembled at the Nissan North America Manufacturing Smyrna and Decherd, Tennessee and Canton, Mississippi plants.
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