2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid

[Dover]

First Drive: 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid
They'll get hy with a little help from their friends

http://images.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0409_First_Drive_2007_Nissan_Altima_Hybrid_01l+2007_Nissan_Altima_Hybrid+Front_Passenger_Side_View.jpg
By Matt Stone
Photography by the Manufacturer

There'll soon be gas/electric hybrid-powered Camrys and Accords, following in the footsteps of their well-timed and oh-so-successful little bros, Prius and Civic. Nissan's midsize Altima competes well with the volume sedan players from Toyota and Honda and will need a hybrid model to stay in the game. The Altima Hybrid is on its way, coming to market some time in 2006 as a 2007 model.

We've driven it in early engineering prototype form and can tell you right now: It has the makings of a worthy product. The goals are near-V-6 levels of performance out of a four-cylinder engine, along with miserly fuel consumption and a Sierra Club-friendly emissions rating. Nissan starts with its own 2.5-liter gas-powered I-4; the assisting electric motor gives it more oomph and also serves as the starter. Rather than spend gazillions to develop its own hybrid drive system, Nissan has licensed the technology and will purchase some of the components from Toyota. Even though these two industrial giants are archrivals, the move makes sense: Nissan comes to market quicker and with a proven system, while Toyota recaptures some of its considerable hybrid-tech investment...>

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0409_2007_nissan_altima_hybrid



Green Car Journal

...Like Toyota’s own Synergy Drive-equipped hybrid vehicles – the current Prius and upcoming Highlander and Lexus RX-400h SUVs – the Nissan Altima hybrid is a versatile machine. It operates on electric-only power at low speeds, internal combustion engine power at higher speeds, and both electric and gas powerplants when power needs are great.

Licensing Toyota’s Synergy Drive technology for its upcoming hybrid models allows Nissan to benefit from Toyota’s substantial hybrid experience while also compressing the develop-mental time frame. Our time behind the wheel shows this is a winning combination. While Nissan’s Altima Hybrid prototype is just that — an early prototype with its youth showing — it is a solid demonstration of Nissan’s direction and a valuable look at what this automaker has in mind for its high-performance hybrid models to come.


http://www.greencar.com/index.cfm?content=features28

[msongs]

1. you forgot to mention the BLOATED price for this car :-) nt

[TerdlowSmedley]

2. How bloated? I have a 7-year-old Altima, which is a great car.

I'd love to have a green one,if I could afford it.

[tulsakatz]

3. I have a '95 Altima

and I agree, they are great cars!! I really want a hybrid......if I can afford it.

[midnight armadillo]

5. affording it...

If the price increase for the hybrid tech is more than the price savings for fuel, buy the regular version. Also factor in the huge battery replacement cost expected around 100k miles on the hybrid...

[Dover]

7. You forget the environmental incentive to go hybrid

Otherwise it's sound advice.

I would be curious to know how the battery replacement cost at 100K miles might compare to other cars and replacement/repairs at that mileage? For instance, how many cars need a new transmission at that mileage marker, or some other major repair?

And thinking sustainably, I'd like to know what happens to these batteries after they are removed.
Can they be recycled or will they end up in landfills?

[Dover]

4. That was a hit and run post. Why don't you post the price

and explain why it's bloated?

[LibertyorDeath]

11. Just think of the amount of GM & Ford Junk Bonds

You could buy with that "Bloated" $17950-$26265 MSRP

GM a company with the foresight to introduce a vehicle like the Hummer will surely

bury the Japanese.... it's only a matter of time. :sarcasm: Off

[4dsc]

6. MSRP $17950-$26265

http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/default.aspx?make=nissan&model=altima&pkw=2007_nissan_altima_hybrid&refcd=go263041s_%202007_nissan_altima_hybrid

Too expensive for me.. I never buy new though.. Never will.. To much depreciation!!

[Dover]

8. Doesn't seem excessive compared to comparable hybrids at all

but I too never buy new. However, when it comes to hybrids, there aren't a lot of used ones around!
And then there is the battery-life issue....

[4dsc]

9. Battery issues will keep me away n/t

[tulsakatz]

12. that doesn't sound too expensive......

...for a new car. And just think of the money you would save on gas!!

[Strelnikov_]

10. MPG?

Nowhere to be found.

On edit - Found this statement:

Nissan is promising lower tailpipe emission levels and decent mileage, the car's said to deliver 41 mpg city and 36 highway, which is respectively 18 and 7 mpg better than the original 2007 Nissan Altima's figures.