Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn unveiled the refreshed 2016 Altima a few days ago in New York. There will be six models to choose from, so everyone can find the Altima that suits their needs and budget.
Compared to the outgoing Altima, notable changes include a significantly revised body, a more upscale interior, as well as increased safety and connectivity. The major facelift embraces the new Nissan “Energetic Flow” design language launched with all-new Murano SUV and Maxima “4-Door Sports Car.” In front, that means adding a new lowered muscular front fascia with distinctive “V-motion” grille and new bumper. The hood, fenders and headlights are also new – with available signature LED boomerang headlights, fog lights and daytime running lights creating a more contemporary face.
The cabin of the new 2016 Altima is quieter thanks to a new acoustic windshield. Efforts were also made to isolate noise created by hard acceleration, utilizing additional insulation and sound barriers, especially in the firewall area. The most striking change, however, is the new, more user-friendly C-stack and centre console sharing the “gliding wing” design language established with the new Murano and Maxima.
The Nissan Altima 2.5 S, 2.5 SR and 2.5 SV now come standard with a 5.0” colour audio display, which is used for a number of tasks including viewing images from the RearView Monitor and accessing the standard NissanConnect with Mobile Apps system (except Altima 2.5 base). Moreover, there’s an expanded suite of available safety and security features, including Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW), radar-based Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Forward Emergency Braking (FEB), Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC), and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).
As for powertrain options, look for a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine (182 hp, 180 lb-ft of torque) or a 3.5L V6 (270 hp, 251 lb-ft) mated to Nissan’s Xtronic CVT.
One of the main highlights of the 2016 Altima is the new SR model. This one stands out with exclusive design cues such as a rear decklid spoiler and aggressively styled 18” wheels (a first for a 4-cylinder Altima), as well as revised damper tuning and an increase in front and rear stabilizer bar stiffness (up to 258% in the rear). Also included, as part of the sports performance, is a “manumatic” mode for the Xtronic transmission and standard paddle shifters.
The new 2016 Nissan Altima is scheduled to go on sale early next year.