It has fewer horsepower and it’s pulled rather than pushed. Apart from those distinctions and approximately $12K, the Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5 SR has plenty in common with the pricier Infiniti G37 Coupe. They’re both sleek, high performing machines of similar size and looks that utilize different versions of Nissan’s award winning VQ-series V6 engine.
Sleek lines accentuate sportiness
Although discernible, the Altima Coupe’s styling revisions for 2010 are moderate. A re-contoured hood along with a revised grille and expanded front-end air intakes better emphasize the vehicle’s muscular persona. From the rear and side angles, the Altima Coupe appears unchanged from last year.
Moving indoors finds little revision but then again none was required. The Coupe’s cabin is comprised of materials of decent quality. It’s an attractive venture that borders on the premium level found in some Euro brands but that’s not to say that it’s without shortcomings.
I was disappointed to find that my top-of-the-line version of Nissan’s sport coupe was not fitted with a telescoping steering column. This inhibited the ability to find perfect positioning for my arms vs. legs—the length of these limbs I doubt fit normative proportioning.
And speaking of proportioning, to find rear-seat comfort occupants best be proportioned diminutively. Rear-seat head and legroom are sparse, and as such impose undue hardship on the “big and tall” passengers.
Apart from these limitations and rearward visibility that’s typical of low-slung coupes, the Altima’s cabin is comfortable and well laid-out. The front seats are highly supportive and snug—just as one would expect from a coupe with spirit in its chassis and fire under its hood.
V6-power and CVT engineered to impress
The base Altima Coupe is motivated by a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder powerplant that develops 170 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque.
My tester was the performance-oriented SR edition. Its 3.5-litre DOHC V6 mill upped the stable to 270 ponies @ 6,000 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque @ 4,400 rpm.
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| From the rear and side angles, the Altima Coupe appears unchanged from last year. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |
Sleek lines accentuate sportiness
Although discernible, the Altima Coupe’s styling revisions for 2010 are moderate. A re-contoured hood along with a revised grille and expanded front-end air intakes better emphasize the vehicle’s muscular persona. From the rear and side angles, the Altima Coupe appears unchanged from last year.
Moving indoors finds little revision but then again none was required. The Coupe’s cabin is comprised of materials of decent quality. It’s an attractive venture that borders on the premium level found in some Euro brands but that’s not to say that it’s without shortcomings.
I was disappointed to find that my top-of-the-line version of Nissan’s sport coupe was not fitted with a telescoping steering column. This inhibited the ability to find perfect positioning for my arms vs. legs—the length of these limbs I doubt fit normative proportioning.
And speaking of proportioning, to find rear-seat comfort occupants best be proportioned diminutively. Rear-seat head and legroom are sparse, and as such impose undue hardship on the “big and tall” passengers.
Apart from these limitations and rearward visibility that’s typical of low-slung coupes, the Altima’s cabin is comfortable and well laid-out. The front seats are highly supportive and snug—just as one would expect from a coupe with spirit in its chassis and fire under its hood.
V6-power and CVT engineered to impress
The base Altima Coupe is motivated by a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder powerplant that develops 170 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque.
My tester was the performance-oriented SR edition. Its 3.5-litre DOHC V6 mill upped the stable to 270 ponies @ 6,000 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque @ 4,400 rpm.
 |
| The Coupe’s cabin is comprised of materials of decent quality. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |