Nissan is bringing excitement back to the mid-size sedan segment with the global launch of the 2019 Nissan Altima. The all-new, sixth-generation Altima features:
- Advanced Nissan Intelligent Mobility safety and driving aid technologies, including ProPILOT Assist and introducing Safety Shield 360 with Rear Automatic Braking
- Enhanced driving performance, including available Intelligent All-Wheel Drive
- Two new engines, including the company’s world’s first production-ready Variable Compression Turbo
- Expressive design with lower, wider and more athletic proportions
New open, airy premium uplifting interior design
The 2019 Altima will be available in five grade levels, along with a limited-production launch edition, when it goes on sale at Nissan dealers in the United States in fall 2018. The all-new Nissan Altima will also be available in an expanded number of global markets in the coming years.
When it comes to enhancing driving enjoyment, the 2019 Nissan Altima stands alone with Nissan’s advanced ProPILOT Assist. Unique in the class, ProPILOT Assist eases driver workload by reducing the amount of driver acceleration, steering and braking input under certain driving conditions, such as single-lane highway driving. ProPILOT Assist is designed to be more intuitive and user-friendly compared with other driver-assist technologies. It can potentially help lessen driver fatigue and create a more confident driving experience – especially for drivers who experience heavy highway traffic on a daily basis. It utilizes a forward-facing camera, forward-facing radar, sensors and an electronic control module to help the driver stay in the center of the driving lane and to maintain vehicle speed (set by the driver) or help maintain a gap to the preceding vehicle if the vehicle speed drops below the driver-set speed. It also can slow the vehicle to a complete stop and hold the vehicle during traffic jam conditions.
In response to the desires of buyers in key northern U.S. market regions, Intelligent All-Wheel Drive will be offered for the first time ever on the Altima. The new AWD models are projected to account for a significant share of Nissan Altima U.S. sales in these regions. The AWD system is available in all trim levels equipped with the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. The system uses an advanced torque split control strategy that automatically redistributes torque to the wheels (0:100 front up to 50:50 front-to-rear) according to road and driving conditions. In addition, cooperative control between the AWD torque distribution, brake limited slip differential and Hill Start Assist optimizes performance on hills starts and rough roads – adding to the sense of confidence and driving pleasure under a range of driving scenarios.
Replacing the previous-generation Nissan Altima’s 3.5-liter V6 engine is the world’s first production-ready variable compression turbo inline 4-cylinder – which generates the performance of some V6 gasoline engines but with 4-cylinder level fuel economy. Designated as the VC-Turbo, the new technology continuously transforms the engine characteristics, providing both dynamic and efficient performance. The VC-Turbo recently launched as a world’s first technology in the all-new INFINITI QX50 crossover. The VC-Turbo has been in development for 20 years. It seamlessly changes its compression ratio between 8:1 (for high performance) and 14:1 (for high efficiency) – with an advanced multi-link system continuously raising or lowering the pistons’ reach to transform the compression ratio. A high compression ratio gives greater efficiency, but in certain applications poses the risk of premature combustion (knocking). A low compression ratio allows for greater power and torque, and avoids knocking.
The multi-link components are manufactured in high-carbon steel alloy. Compared with the previous 3.5-liter V6 engine, the 2.0-liter VC-Turbo requires less space in the engine bay. The engine delivers 248 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque (premium fuel). The VC-Turbo engine utilizes both multi-point injection and direct injection to balance efficiency and power in all conditions. The Direct Injection Gasoline (DIG™) system improves combustion efficiency and performance, and enables the engine to avoid knocking at higher compression ratios, while the multi-point injection mixes fuel and air earlier, enabling complete combustion in the chamber for greater efficiency at low engine loads. The engine also contributes to lower NVH and improved emissions (versus the previous 3.5-liter V6). The VC-Turbo engine is assembled in Japan. Altimas equipped with the VC-Turbo (SR VC-Turbo and Platinum VC-Turbo grades) include a meter in the standard 7.0-inch Advanced Drive Assist Display so the driver can see, as well as feel, the control state of this world-first technology while driving. In terms of fuel economy (based on regular fuel), the new 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine is rated at 25 mpg city, 34 mpg highway and 29 mpg combined, while maintaining performance similar to the V6. This represents a 15% increase over the 3.5-liter V6 (combined fuel economy).
Reflecting the Altima’s importance to the Nissan brand, the company is also making its biggest investment ever in a new model powertrain development – introducing for the first time two completely new engines for one model change. Standard on all grade levels is the new 2.5-liter DOHC inline 4-cylinder direct injection engine, which is rated at 188 horsepower (versus the previous 2.5-liter’s 179 hp) and 180 lb-ft of torque (versus the previous 177 lb-ft) and features 80% new or redesigned parts. More than just the gains in horsepower and torque, the new engine offers improvements in noise, vibration and harshness, along with enhanced fuel economy and cleaner emissions. It also has a lower profile through adoption of a “reverse” cylinder head with integrated exhaust manifold and low engine mounting into the new platform’s engine bay for quieter operation.
