Derek Ogden road tests and reviews the Nissan Altima Ti-S with specs, fuel economy and verdict.
Frontal chrome is to the automotive market what white teeth are to the
entertainment industry, a sign of quality and style. However, both can
be irritating to the onlooker if they are overdone.
The new Nissan Altima is a case in point. A swathe of shiny metal up
front would not look out of place on a fifties Yank tank but in the 21st
century we search for something a little more subtle to show off the
pedigree of a car.
DESIGN / STYLING
Wide horizontal chrome slats dominate the radiator intake, a large
Nissan badge announcing the car's arrival. Further chrome embellishments
include door handles and side window surrounds.
To be fair, the new mid-size sedan is smack bang up to date with its
coupe-style aerodynamic profile – giving a co-efficient of friction of
0.30 – and, in the case of our test vehicle, 18-inch twin-spoke alloy
wheels. LED tail lights put their modern-day stamp on the vehicle.
PRICE / FEATURES
The Nissan Altima is available in four model grades - ST, ST-L and Ti,
powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and the range-topping Ti-S
with a 3.5-litre V6 under the bonnet.
Prices start at $29,990, with an estimated driveaway figure of $33,513,
for the entry-level ST, while the Ti-S rounds out the range at $45,390
($50,784), the latter the test car in which we have spent the last week.
The car carries a number of state-of-the-art technologies including
Active Understeer Control which incorporates intelligent control and
instant-response braking on the inside front wheel during cornering,
bringing vehicle dynamic and traction control into action, hence
eliminating understeer.
Almost undetectable to the driver when it operates, Nissan is quick to
point out the system is designed primarily for everyday operation as
opposed to during evasive manoeuvres in an emergency.
Steering draws on an electronic hydraulic power-assisted system that
feeds a smooth feel back to the driver, while producing fuel economy by
using electric power rather than drawing it from the engine.
Safety systems we have come to expect in expensive premium models are
included in the Ti and Ti-S Altimas, with Blind Spot Warning, Lane
Departure Warning and Moving Object Detection topping the list.
INTERIOR
Nissan would like us to think riding in an Altima is out of this world.
That's why the Japanese automobile maker called on US space agency NASA
to come up with the most comfortable seats. According to NASA, the
least tiring seats are those that come closest to a "neutral posture", a
relaxed position the human body takes in a weightless environment.
Using a new seat shape that provides continuous support from the pelvis
to the chest, the "zero-gravity" inspired front seats help reduce
muscular and spinal loads and improve blood flow, thereby helping reduce
fatigue over long periods behind the wheel. Seat surface perforations
provide increased ventilation, breathability and comfort. They do the
job. There's room for occupants to spread out all round and the nearly
500 litres of boot space swallows even the most bulky items.
INFOTAINMENT
Satellite navigation and rear view camera make use of a colour
seven-inch display screen, parking sensors protect front and rear, a
premium Bose audio system has nine speakers and Bluetooth audio
streaming and NissanConnect smartphone are integrated.
The Ti steps up with Nissan's Intelligent Technology Suite, mentioned
above, around View Monitor, Xenon headlights with auto levelling,
driver's seat with two memory settings, door mirrors with memory
function, automatic day/night rear vision mirror, power rear sunshade
and rear privacy glass.
ENGINE / TRANSMISSION
However, saving the best 'til last, the Altima Ti-S scores a
responsive, smooth-running 3.5-litre V6 engine. It's a gem. Coupled with
a first-rate continuously variable transmission, the combination makes
the best of peak power of 183 kW and 312 Nm of torque.
Nissan puts fuel (91RON) consumption at 9.3 litres per 100km on the
combined urban / highway cycle with a carbon dioxide output of 216g per
kilometre. On test, the Ti-S came up with 13.6 litres per 100 kilometres
around town and 6.3 on a motorway run.
The CVT auto has a fuel efficiency mode (Eco) which can be can selected
by the driver, while those who want greater responsiveness can choose
sport mode. The V6-powered Ti-S goes a step further with manual (M) mode
incorporating steering-wheel mounted paddle shifts.
The Altima
forms the basis of Nissan's return to the V8 Supercar Championship.
Until the early 1990s, Nissan had considerable success from a number of
models, the most notable the all-conquering 'Godzilla' GT-R. Nissan
officially left local motor sport competition after winning the 1992
Bathurst 1000 - which resulted in the car being made illegal.
MODEL RANGE
Altima ST 2.5-litre petrol four-door sedan: from $29,990
Altima ST-L 2.5-litre petrol four-door sedan: from $35,890
Altima Ti 2.5-litre petrol four-door sedan: from $40,190
Altima Ti-S 3.6-litre petrol four-door sedan: from $45,390
Nissan Altima Ti-S
Price: from $45,390
Warranty: 3 years/100,000km
Capped servicing: optional (6 years/120,000km)
Service interval: 6 months/10,000km
Resale: N/A
Safety: Not tested
Engine: 3.5-litre V6, 185kW/326Nm
Transmission: CVT; FWD
Thirst: 9.3L/100km, 91 RON, 216g/km CO 2
Dimensions: 4.9m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.5m (H)
Weight: 1536kg
Spare: Space-saver