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NEW CAR PRICES AND RESEARCH
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2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid
Nissan joins the hybrid generation
by Brian Chee
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In what may go a long way toward cementing the future staying power of hybrid-powered vehicles, Nissan today unveiled a prototype of the 2007 Altima Hybrid, a hybrid vehicle based on the Altima mid-size sedan. The car is scheduled to be launched in 2006 for the US market.
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Nissan is the fifth major automaker to either introduce a hybrid to the US market or announce plans to do so; the first automaker is generally credited as Honda - with the Insight two-seater hybrid, followed by Toyota with the first mass-produced hybrid, the Prius.
The technology behind Prius has powered Toyota's hybrid plans and, in fact, will play a part in launching the Altima hybrid. According to Nissan, In September 2002, Nissan and Toyota signed a basic agreement stipulating that Nissan will produce 100,000 hybrid vehicles within a five-year period, and that Toyota will supply the hybrid system components (transaxle, inverter, battery, and control unit). Nissan will develop the engine and unit adaptation.
The Altima prototype model is the first completed by Nissan under the agreement. With the Altima hybrid, Nissan hopes to offer consumers a sedan with V6 power and fuel efficiency that betters many compact vehicles. And while most hybrid vehicles place a premium on fuel economy, Nissan's primary focus seems to be on acceleration and performance - with increased fuel savings and environmental efficiencies. Nissan hopes to begin production of the Altima hybrid in 2006, for the 2007 model year.
Nissan is also developing diesel engine technologies mainly for European market, and continuing the R&D of fuel cell vehicles for the future.
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Source: ABT
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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