On the road
Both Altima Coupes put to the test by yours truly during Nissan's official unveiling were V6 editions- one a CVT version and one sporting a manual stick. Before exploring the workings of either transmission, some cabin observations are in order.
The Altima Coupe is beautifully built. Cabin materials are of high quality and desirability given the vehicle's modest price of entry. Layout within the cabin is first rate and dimensions up front are acceptable but not generous. Rear seat comfort and ingress/egress is typical for this segment. The rear seatbacks fold perfectly flat, which significantly enhances the coupe's practicality and stowage capacity.
Firing-up an Altima Coupe is accomplished with the push of a button, provided its intelligent key is within proximity. Once under way, the V6 delivers smooth, polished performance that is really quite invigorating on the open road. Acceleration is brisk with either transmission, and passing power is stout to say the least. Engine notes are hushed until pushed at which point a refined growl floods the senses.
Rowing through the six manually-shifted gears is pleasant but not up to par with some of the better units out there. On the other hand, the CVT was quite remarkable in its functionality when backing the V6 mill. Due most likely to the engine's operational refinement, the presence of the CVT was undetectable unless maximum acceleration was demanded. In these circumstances, the omission of a shift point gave the CVT away.
Yet shift points can be driver-initiated using the auto stick's manual mode, which imparts six distinctive shifts closely mimicking the function of a conventional automatic transmission--I was duly impressed. I was also impressed with the Coupe's athleticism in the corners.
Although the opportunity to ring-out the Coupe on a track didn't exist, I found it responded immediately and predictably to steering inputs without engaging in body lean or unsettling theatrics. We were told of the Coupe's extra-rigid chassis utilizing 22-percent ultra high-strength steel. The absence of shudder and shake over potholes and Minnesota's roughest pavement confirmed the vehicle's overall stiffness while imparting tremendous stability and composure.
Both Altima Coupes put to the test by yours truly during Nissan's official unveiling were V6 editions- one a CVT version and one sporting a manual stick. Before exploring the workings of either transmission, some cabin observations are in order.
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| New Nissan products have much-improved interior materials; the coupe is no different. |
The Altima Coupe is beautifully built. Cabin materials are of high quality and desirability given the vehicle's modest price of entry. Layout within the cabin is first rate and dimensions up front are acceptable but not generous. Rear seat comfort and ingress/egress is typical for this segment. The rear seatbacks fold perfectly flat, which significantly enhances the coupe's practicality and stowage capacity.
Firing-up an Altima Coupe is accomplished with the push of a button, provided its intelligent key is within proximity. Once under way, the V6 delivers smooth, polished performance that is really quite invigorating on the open road. Acceleration is brisk with either transmission, and passing power is stout to say the least. Engine notes are hushed until pushed at which point a refined growl floods the senses.
Rowing through the six manually-shifted gears is pleasant but not up to par with some of the better units out there. On the other hand, the CVT was quite remarkable in its functionality when backing the V6 mill. Due most likely to the engine's operational refinement, the presence of the CVT was undetectable unless maximum acceleration was demanded. In these circumstances, the omission of a shift point gave the CVT away.
Yet shift points can be driver-initiated using the auto stick's manual mode, which imparts six distinctive shifts closely mimicking the function of a conventional automatic transmission--I was duly impressed. I was also impressed with the Coupe's athleticism in the corners.
Although the opportunity to ring-out the Coupe on a track didn't exist, I found it responded immediately and predictably to steering inputs without engaging in body lean or unsettling theatrics. We were told of the Coupe's extra-rigid chassis utilizing 22-percent ultra high-strength steel. The absence of shudder and shake over potholes and Minnesota's roughest pavement confirmed the vehicle's overall stiffness while imparting tremendous stability and composure.
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| Only the hood of the coupe is shared with the Altima Sedan. |