Nissan Altima Hybrid Set for 2006

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 its powerful 4-cylinder engine combined with an electric motor to gain extra torque off the line. (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 silently and resultantly consume less gas and cut back on greenhouse gas emissions.

Incidentally, this is the sign of a full-hybrid drivetrain. Honda designed their hybrid Insight and Civic as partial hybrid systems, which means when the car is driving, or the air conditioning system is in operation, the gasoline engine must be working. Partial hybrids only shut off when the car is motionless.

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

Although no horsepower or torque ratings for the Altima Hybrid have been disclosed as of yet, nor photos for that matter, 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. The Altima should be fun to drive, accommodating to passengers and cargo, clean to the environment and extremely efficient on readily depleting natural resources. What's more, it is expected to appear almost identical to a regular gasoline-powered Altima. Nissan made no comment on what that regular Altima will look like by model year 2007, as an update is expected close to this time.