2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid Preview

The benefits that hybrid technology offers Nissan's midsize sedan are quite numerous and positive of course. For a

To increase performance, the Altima Hybrid will utilize Nissan's powerful 4-cylinder engine combined with an electric motor to gain extra torque off the line (2005 Altima shown). (Photo: Nissan Canada)

relatively small premium over the price of a base Altima, there's a lot to be gained in both performance and efficiency. Such is not always the case with HEVs optimized purely for fuel economy, but the Altima Hybrid will use the base-equipment four-cylinder engine as the primary power source with the electric motor added to gain extra torque off the line. Meanwhile, in stop-and-go and low-speed traffic the electric motor will often take charge over the gasoline motor allowing the Altima to run

Four-cylinder gas consumption combined with V6 performance will make the Altima Hybrid worth the wait (2005 Altimas shown). (Photo: Nissan Canada)

silently, resulting in less fuel consumed and therefore reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Incidentally, the fact that the Altima hybrid will be able to be powered solely by its electric motor is the sign of a full-hybrid drivetrain. Honda designed their hybrid Insight and Civic as mild hybrid systems, which means when the car is driving, or the air conditioning system is in operation, the gasoline engine must be running. Mild hybrids only shut off when the car is motionless and the air conditioning is off.

Although no horsepower or torque ratings for the Altima Hybrid have been disclosed as of yet, the gain in performance is expected to be likened to driving a V6-powered Altima, with the benefit of 4-cylinder fuel savings of course.