Nissan Raises Bar

Nissan North America Inc. took the path less traveled during the design and development of the new '08 Altima coupe.

Rather than just replacing the Altima sedan's rear doors with fixed sheet metal, Nissan went the extra step and designed the car as a true coupe. In fact, the only major body panel the Altima coupe shares with its sedan counterpart is its hood.

The gamble pays off for Nissan, as the Altima coupe is an absolute stunner, more reminiscent of the Nissan 350Z sports car or the uplevel Infiniti G35 than the somewhat stodgy but well regarded Altima sedan.

The smooth, flowing lines and aggressive stance of the Altima coupe prove Nissan is one of the few Japanese auto makers not lacking design flair.

During our test drive, passersby rightfully take notice. The Altima coupe will catch the eye of any buyer looking for a stylish ride with a relatively low starting price of $20,990 (not including destination charge).

The design changes aren't just for aesthetics, either, as the coupe's wheelbase is 4 ins. (10.2 cm) shorter than the sedan's.

Nissan says the coupe's smaller size and lighter overall weight contribute to its sportier driving feel and will attract younger buyers.

Beneath the sheet metal, the similarities between coupe and sedan are more evident. The coupe shares the same platform as the fourth-generation sedan, which boasts increased body rigidity and a redesigned suspension.

The coupe also shares powertrains with the sedan. Both are available with a 3.5L V-6 or a 2.5L inline 4-cyl. and either a 6-speed manual or continuously variable transmission. For our test drive through Minneapolis into Wisconsin dairy country, we selected the V-6 and 6-speed manual. It turned out to be a wise choice.

The coupe handled the more challenging bends in the road with aplomb. However, on straight roads, the suspension transmitted every bump, no matter how minute, directly into the cabin.

The touchy suspension forced constant steering corrections, as the slightest flaw in the road pushed the car off course. The wayward on-road characteristics aren't a knock against the Altima's power rack-and-pinion steering, which is surprisingly nimble and precise.

Likewise, the powertrain more than compensates for the dodgy suspension.

The 3.5L 24-valve DOHC V-6, the latest generation of Nissan's VQ-series engine and a Ward's 10 Best Engines winner for 13 straight years, pulls the coupe along nicely.

Rated at 270 hp and 258 lb.-ft. (350 Nm) of torque, the mill is no slouch and is quieter than its predecessors. It features a silent chain drive and a balancer system that dampens vibrations.

The 6-speed manual is a good match, as plenty of power is readily available in each gear. Nissan engineers appear to have solved the excessive clutch pedal vibration that has hampered the G35 in recent years, as shifting in the Altima coupe is effortless and smooth. Throws are short and precise, making it a breeze to cycle through gears.

The interior is well crafted but a bit bland in our pre-production model, with wide expanses of black plastic across the dashboard. Controls are within easy reach and, for the most part, intuitive. A push-button ignition comes standard, and options include Bluetooth hands-free phone link, satellite radio, dual-zone climate control and a Bose audio system.

As with most coupes, getting in and out of the rear seats is a pain. However, Nissan made it easier for rear passengers to slide the seat forward themselves with cleverly mounted inboard release levers. The rear seats split 60/40 and fold flat, providing adequate cargo space.

With the Altima coupe, Nissan set forth to redefine the segment. Aside from a few persnickety complaints, they may have succeeded.