The introduction of the generation-six Nissan Sentra in 2007 marks the car's silver anniversary in the US. And for the first time, the new model's design has been specifically geared toward young American drivers. Ken Kcomt, chief product specialist responsible for the Sentra, says: "We wanted to bring to market a much more competitive product. Our concept was to fuse a number of different ideas-roominess, functionality, and performance-to a level the segment hasn't seen before."
On the exterior, you'll notice design cues shared with other Nissan models, including the wide-sweeping headlights and crisp shoulder lines. The new Sentra is larger in every dimension, creating segment-leading passenger volume of 96.4 cubic feet and 13.1 cubic feet of trunk space. The interior also boasts many stowage places, plus thoughtful touches like an integrated overhead CD sleeve, a hidden storage area in the trunk, and a double-folding 60/40 rear seat.
What about performance? Featuring an all-new 2.0-liter MR-series engine, the new Sentra now sports more horsepower (140bhp at 5100rpm) and torque (147lb-ft at 4800rpm). That's 26 more horses and 18lb-ft more torque than its predecessor. According to Kcomt, Nissan's engineers "prioritized torque over horsepower, because that is what really transmits the feeling of power." To that end, 90 percent of torque is available at 2400rpm. Transmission is either a standard six-speed manual or an optional Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) automatic.
Handling is good for the class, with independent front suspension and torsion beam rear suspension. On winding mountain roads, power is more than adequate to take the steep inclines and the car handles confidently, despite the torsion beam set-up in the rear.
Three trim levels will be offered initially: the 2.0 base, the 2.0S which adds 16-inch wheels, remote keyless entry and trip computer, and the 2.0 SL, featuring Intelligent Key (keyless ignition), and Bluetooth. On the options list are XM NavTraffic real-time traffic monitoring system and Sirius satellite radio. But the big question is: with so much improvement in the basic car, how will the SE-R version-much loved in previous generations-perform?
We won't have to wait long to find out. The new SE-R made its debut in November 2006 at the Los Angeles Auto Show and will go on sale in the spring.
2007 Nissan AltimaEach time the Altima is updated, the auto press likes to point out that this is the car that saved Nissan from near-death in the US market in the early 90s. The company's goal in developing the fourth generation model was-according to Pete Haidos, chief product specialist responsible for the development of the Altima and Maxima-to make it the "best-performing large front-wheel-drive sedan" in the volume car segment. Nissan's product planners and engineers sought to follow up on their 'cure for the common sedan' approach by attempting to make the new Altima better to drive, better to look at, and better equipped.
Based on Nissan's D platform, which yields improvements in body rigidity and handling, the new car is 2.5 inches shorter in length, slightly wider, and sleeker than its predecessor. It receives the new Nissan T family grille and the hood and fender merge, similar to its stablemates. Altima fans who delight in the evolution of those iconic taillights may be interested to know that Nissan spent as much money on developing the taillights as it did on the headlights. A rare occurence in this industry, apparently.