Second on the Altima to-do list was adjusting the front suspension's geometry and shock absorbers for better steering response and handling and less torque steer.
Nissan engineers even lowered the Altima's engine mounting points for a lower centre of gravity and front half shafts that are now mounted at equal angles to reduce torque steer.
The Altima's back end retains an independent, multilink design with antiroll bars at both ends of the sedan.
On the road
The 2.5 S test car's eponymous 175 h.p. 180 pound-feet of torque 2.5-litre four cylinder engine is primarily carried over. Although Nissan says a larger intake manifold, increased compression ratio (9.6:1 from 9.5:1), silent chain drive and a balancer system improve the engine's smoothness compared to last year's four.
Beyond the confines of suburban driving, Nissan's structural, steering and suspension upgrades are felt immediately.
Driven with purpose, the '07 Altima 2.5 S feels tighter, quieter, more controlled in its motions, and corners flatter than the last model. Torque steer has been quelled--if not completely negated. And along with the new speed-sensitive, power rack and pinion steering system, the driver has a better idea of what those front tires are doing at the pavement level.
Caveat emptor
So far, if you like to drive, the new Altima comes across as a nimble, alert machine. So much so that the benchmark Mazda6 should be concerned for its crown. But it's right here in this road test that things start to go figuratively sideways for this particular Altima.
You see, this Altima 2.5 S did not come with the standard six-speed manual transmission.
No, it came with the sole choice if you don't want to use a clutch pedal: Nissan's $1,200 Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission.
Like in the '07 Maxima 3.5 SL CVT I recently drove, in day-to-day motoring, the Altima 2.5 S CVT's drivetrain is smooth, and relatively unobtrusive.
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| The 2007 Altima is easier and more pleasant to drive than the previous generation. |
Nissan engineers even lowered the Altima's engine mounting points for a lower centre of gravity and front half shafts that are now mounted at equal angles to reduce torque steer.
The Altima's back end retains an independent, multilink design with antiroll bars at both ends of the sedan.
On the road
The 2.5 S test car's eponymous 175 h.p. 180 pound-feet of torque 2.5-litre four cylinder engine is primarily carried over. Although Nissan says a larger intake manifold, increased compression ratio (9.6:1 from 9.5:1), silent chain drive and a balancer system improve the engine's smoothness compared to last year's four.
Beyond the confines of suburban driving, Nissan's structural, steering and suspension upgrades are felt immediately.
Driven with purpose, the '07 Altima 2.5 S feels tighter, quieter, more controlled in its motions, and corners flatter than the last model. Torque steer has been quelled--if not completely negated. And along with the new speed-sensitive, power rack and pinion steering system, the driver has a better idea of what those front tires are doing at the pavement level.
Caveat emptor
So far, if you like to drive, the new Altima comes across as a nimble, alert machine. So much so that the benchmark Mazda6 should be concerned for its crown. But it's right here in this road test that things start to go figuratively sideways for this particular Altima.
You see, this Altima 2.5 S did not come with the standard six-speed manual transmission.
No, it came with the sole choice if you don't want to use a clutch pedal: Nissan's $1,200 Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission.
Like in the '07 Maxima 3.5 SL CVT I recently drove, in day-to-day motoring, the Altima 2.5 S CVT's drivetrain is smooth, and relatively unobtrusive.
 |
| Our tester came equipped with the optional CVT transmission. |