More juice from the 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6, however, with the numbers going to 250 hp and 249 lb.-ft. of torque, up from 245 and 246. Probably won't feel that on the street, but it will up your bragging rights. The Altima 3.5 comes with a five-speed automatic or a five-speed manual, depending upon your trim level choices.
V6 Altimas offer an available traction control system, which uses a combination of throttle, fuel cutoff and shift schedule to help aid traction in off-the-line starts and slippery situations.
True gearheads will care that the rear suspension is approximately six percent lighter than the rear suspension in the previous generation Altima.
Braking is provided by four disc brakes, but unfortunately the anti-lock system for the four-cylinder models has been loaded into the optional Personal Security Package, which includes brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, front seat side-impact airbags, and side curtain airbags. The brake upgrades are standard on the V6 models
Nissan Canada will be selling Altima in 2.5 S, 2.5 SL, 3.5 S and 3.5 SL trims, with assorted option packages to increase the mix.
The basic car -- the 2.5 S -- is a fairly well-equipped car, coming with the stuff that more people consider minimal equipment -- air conditioning, power window, doors and locks, cruise control, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, remote keyless entry, a 100-watt multi-purpose stereo, and a whole list of other stuff.
On top of that, the consumer can choose the Convenience Package, which adds alloy wheels, a power driver's seat, steering wheel stereo controls, a cargo net, an anti-theft system, a trip computer, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and so on.
The 2.5 SL model is all that plus the Personal Security Package and stuff like chrome body side moldings, an in-dash 6-disc CD, leather seating, fake wood trim, a power sunroof, a better stereo, and so on.
In the V6 models, the basic is all the stuff in the base 4-cylinder model, plus some extra braking technology, the five-speed automatic, and chrome exhaust tips.
From there it does not seem to stop, since there's a Security Package (traction control and extra airbags), a Sunroof Package, a Leather Package, an Automatic Transmission Package (essentially a manumatic variation on the theme), and an SE Navigation Package (the DVD navi system with a color screen to view it, and speed-sensitive wipers).
No prices have been announced yet, but Altima's history suggests that the 2005 model will start around $24,000 for the 2.5 S model, but that you won't have any trouble getting the price tag up to $35,000 if you really want to.
