Nissan moves into Hybrid market with new Altima

Nissan is set to announce the world debut of the 2007 Altima Hybrid prior to the public opening of the Orange County Auto Show this week. Their first entry into the gasoline-electric market, the Altima Hybrid carries on the models performance in a different arena- efficiency and emissions. The 2.5 litre 4-cylinder engine is mated to an Xtronic Continually Variable Transmission (CVT) as well as an electric motor and generator that increases fuel economy and lowers emissions. The CVT works by seamlessly altering drive ratios to eliminate gear shifting, allowing the engine to spend less time revving up and down and therefore increasing longevity and reducing fuel consumption.