Whaaa?! Nissan Altima Coupe
Vince Burlapp of Hollywood Extra fame has come across a series of grainy photos that supposedly reveal the existence of a Nissan Altima coupe. The styling is entirely too reminiscent of the Infiniti G35, with thick C-pillars, tightly drawn headlamps and a beltline that's a dead ringer for the upmarket two-door.
It doesn't take a keen eye to see that the pics are being taken during a photo shoot of some kind, so we'd assume it's being prepped for a debut in the near future (L.A. maybe?). However, you know what happens when people assume, right?
An Altima coupe would make a great competitor with the Toyota Solara and Honda Accord. Even better -- make it rear-wheel drive and it'll be the spiritual successor to the 240SX.
Judging by the unfinished look of the Altima, it's safe to say that we're more than a little skeptical. As always, time will tell.
[Source: The Hollywood Extra]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Mike G 2:31AM (10/23/2006)
Wouldn't an Altima coupe cannibalize sales of the 350Z? How does that make sense.
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BOB 2:34AM (10/23/2006)
MAYBE IT IS MEANT TO FILL THE VOID LEFT WHEN TOYOTA RAN THE CELICA INTO THE GROUND WITH BAD STYLING, FOLLOWED BY MITSU DOING THE SAME THING WITH THE ECLIPSE.
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Talis 2:56AM (10/23/2006)
MikeG, I understand why you would think that, but I cannot agree that an Altima coupe would cut into Z-car sales. the Z is a performance based coupe, where the Altima would be (if my thought process is right) more of a luxury coupe; like a Pontiac G6 coupe, or (as stated in AutoBog's recap) a Toyota Solara and Honda Accord coupe. None of those three are necessarily performance orientated, so by adding this to the line up, Nissan is actually bringing in more customers. It is always true that the more likely people are to walk in to your dealership, the more likely they are to buy your car and not some other manufacture’s.
As for my two-cents, this is a car that would make me consider Nissan. I am looking to replace my current ride in the next year or so and would be looking at coupes or coupe-looking sedans (G6, Accord, etc.) so this is something I would have to consider.
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pixelate 3:04AM (10/23/2006)
this is a car that would make me strongly reconsider plans to buy a G35 coupe. ugh, the resemblance is just way too close.
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aaron 3:13AM (10/23/2006)
maybe im way off...but i would think it would be a maxima coupe if it was to go up next to an accord coupe and the like. an altima coupe is stupid when they have the maxima name...
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coolwasabi 3:39AM (10/23/2006)
It wouldn't make sense to make it RWD. The Infinitis and 350Z are RWD.
I don't really see the point of an Altima/Maxima Coupe. A Sentra coupe (including SE-R variant), on the other hand...
Btw, is Autoblog ever going to switch their design and commenting system to the one being used by the Engadget family of sites? It's a big improvement...
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Damon Lavrinc 3:44AM (10/23/2006)
Mr. Wasabi - The short answer is 'yes.' The folks over at IT are working on it now and we're expecting to relaunch in a few months. 'When' exactly is another question.
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brian 3:57AM (10/23/2006)
This just further reaffirms my belief that the automotive industry is just getting lazier and more uncreative by the minute. Why is the Ford Iosis not going into production? What about the Audi R4/R8? The Fiat FCC Adventure? The list goes on and on. I have a lot more complaining to do, but it's too long for a comment box and is on my blog if anyone's interested.
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brian 4:16AM (10/23/2006)
that yearns to be a convertible. go nissan!
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walkmanx 4:25AM (10/23/2006)
the external proportions look exactly like the current g35. what's the point of re-releasing an outdated design when the next gen g35 is due within a year? I really hope this car is fwd, if not, nissan will have three similar vehicles for around the same price.
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Jason 4:29AM (10/23/2006)
That looks exactly like the current G35. I don't believe Nissan would do what we are seeing above. There is already the Z, and this one looks way too much like a G. It would kill G sales.
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Corey B. 5:00AM (10/23/2006)
I hope its a 250SX, RWD of course. That would be nice.
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Gerard 5:14AM (10/23/2006)
This car seen at Hollywood must be the restyling of the Nissan Skyline Coupe, which in fact is an Infinity G35.
Please take a look at this link:
http://www.nissanfanseite.de/Wallpapers/Nissan-Skyline-Coupe-03b.jpg
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PiCASSO 7:10AM (10/23/2006)
Can't be the new Nissan Skyline/Infiniti G35 coupe... this looks nearly identical to the new Altima sedan:
http://www.nissanusa.com/altima07/wallpaper/Altima_wp_7_800.jpg
http://www.nissanusa.com/altima07/wallpaper/Altima_wp_8_800.jpg
Unfortunately, I don't have any good front end 3/4 pics.
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harry0724 7:57AM (10/23/2006)
I work for a Nissan dealership and Nissan is coming out with an Altima coupe next year. My GM saw it at the dealers meeting. I think it looks great.
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G. Snyder 8:20AM (10/23/2006)
"An Altima coupe would make a great competitor with the Toyota Solara and Honda Accord. Even better -- make it rear-wheel drive and it'll be the spiritual successor to the 240SX."
Are you guys serious with this comment? Why not say "hey I wish it were turbine powered and had a cloaking device"? Do you, for once second, think that Nissan would depart from the regular Altima FWD platform and a)dream up a new platform or b) ride on the current Z/G35....which is just as unlikely because it does not make any sense.
I would love to see a return of affordable RWD cars as much as anyone, but I am going to use my brain. This is not happening.
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triboy16 8:16AM (10/23/2006)
Yes this car may steal away a couple of past and future g35 coupe buyers but it will also steal some honda accord and camry buyers too in the process, its a smart move
In addition, overall wise the G35 is and will be a different type of car even though they may look the same. 1) rear wheel vs. FWD 2) luxury and the infinity prestiege 3) engine(prob 50-60 horses difference) plus who can forget that eversweet exhaust note on the g35 which i doubt will be featured on the altima
the g35 coupe much like the g35 sedan won't have much problems differentiating itself from the new altima still
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Nick 11:19AM (10/23/2006)
I don't think this would steal many sales from the Z or the G. I bet they'll market this car as a cheaper, front wheel drive, more "entry level" coupe. People who can afford and/or want a Z or a G will not even look at this because they'll see it as below the class they'll want. On the other hand, it will open up a Nissan coupe to another market (i.e. the entry market).
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V Boss 9:41AM (10/23/2006)
Looks great but I'll hold my giddyness until I see: A.) Proportions - since nearly everyone is already assuming that Nissan would make a coupe that's the exact same size and power of their current ones even though no numbers have been provided.
And B.) Price - Is it going to be in the Mid/Upper-20s (a la Accord), Low-20s (a la Cobalt/Si) or bargain steal Scion tC fighter?
I say RWD, Mid-teens to Low-20s, 170-230hp as the new 350z moves hp figures up, you've got yourself a new 240sx without the truck motor. Good job Nissan.
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Disco Stu 8:27AM (10/23/2006)
We need more information. I'd like to see a convertible version.
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