At first blush, the Altima coupe sounds like a Japanese Monte Carlo -- firmly midsized, front drive, fast roofline -- but that's where the similarities end. Inside Line put an Altima coupe with the lusty 270 HP V6 under the microscope and proclaimed it the best of the field. While the performance figures and spec sheet may reflect solid numbers that don't necessarily best the competition, there are some cars that have a je ne sais quoi that defies measurement. The Inside Line folks laid down the clipboard on the passenger seat and discovered that the Altima Coupe experience is more about how the whole of the machine works. It sounds to us like the Altima is channelling the G37, and thusly, it outclasses its peers.
Thanks for the tip, Mehdi!
[Source: Inside Line]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Tool @ May 23rd 2007 11:52AM
The entire design language at Nissan is seriously messed up. I don't doubt that this is a fine automobile, but why would Nissan make it look so similar to the G37 coupe?
Inquiring minds want to know!
iamhoff @ May 23rd 2007 12:03PM
I'm not in love with either the Altima Coupe or the G37...something's just not quite right in the proportions of either. The G35 coupe nailed it, and something didn't quite follow over to the G37 and subsequently the Altima Coupe.
That being said, it sounds like a good ride, a G on a budget. Still, it's going to be fun to get the Altima Coupe and put it up against the 2008 Accord Coupe. My prediction: engine will go to the Altima, but overall the Honda will win.
Jeff @ May 23rd 2007 12:05PM
cheap looking interior, stupid looking front end and the view from the rear is no different than any other coupe on the road today (G6, Solara, G35).
boring car worthy of Nissan. C-ya later when you have something worth spending hard earned cash on.
F451 @ May 23rd 2007 12:09PM
Looks like a GM automobile.
Bob-o @ May 23rd 2007 12:29PM
Yeah, G6 much?
Aetius @ May 23rd 2007 12:11PM
The issue with proportion is not unique to just Nissan. It can be seen in the latest Honda and Subaru designs as well. Toyota is more or less getting it right, but that's mainly because they're copying from the one Japanese company which sets the bar for good design language - Mazda.
In fact, I dare say Hyundai/Kia now have cleaner design than many of the Japanese car makers.
geo.stewart @ May 23rd 2007 12:23PM
nobody seems to be able to get the complete package right on these. Accord's coupe front end looks really good/ aggressive but the back end is very fat. From these pics and my memory from chi-sho, the nissans rear is well tailored but I'm not in love with the headlights that wrap up and back, or the grille. Nissan vehicles still show a lot of french influence on several vehicles, with the exception of the Z and most of the Xterra. the rest all have some quirky design language that can only come from the Renault side of the house.
bobdobbs @ May 23rd 2007 12:54PM
Sorry, "experts" but this one was done in Detroit. The frogs weren't involved.
Mehdi Cheddadi @ May 23rd 2007 12:59PM
Oh yeah, you guys took my tip! WOUHOU!~!
Mehdi Cheddadi @ May 23rd 2007 1:02PM
and BTW, I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR (3.5SE adriatic blue FULL EQUIP) AND IT ROCKS~!
all the haters are idiots (hey I just bought that car, I have the right to say whatever I want! :p)
bernie @ May 23rd 2007 1:07PM
"...why would Nissan make it look so similar to the G37 coupe?"
because THEY DIDN'T! AutoBlog, please run a photo, especially one from the 3/4 rear or 3/4 front view, so all these dip$hits can see firsthand how stupid they are.
Good heavens, if anything it looks more like a G6 than a G37, but it looks like neither if you have any eye for automotive design. What morons.
Esprit bird @ May 23rd 2007 1:14PM
I just got sick of seeing so many of them on the road.
Brian Dreggors @ May 23rd 2007 1:51PM
Nissan learned how to make a CVT that isn't junk? News to me...
Rick Lyon @ May 23rd 2007 2:03PM
What an ugly car. I don't care for the new 2007 Altima sedan either. They ruined a good thing with last years design.
Rob @ May 23rd 2007 2:08PM
until they can make the 6 speed as slick as the honda, this car is an afterthought
Gooch @ May 23rd 2007 2:15PM
This car looks nothing like a G37, except vaguely in profile. As Bernie said, it looks much more like a G6 coupe, especially when viewed from the rear.
Have any of you asshats seen a G37 on the road? No? Then how do you know what it really looks like? Seriously, some of you people are true idiots.
Don @ May 23rd 2007 2:51PM
I don't care how good this thing is...I'd still buy a G6 coupe.
Justin @ May 23rd 2007 3:09PM
eh IMO I still like the coupe body lines and v8 sound of the monte ss better (Yes I've driven one), and I don't want to hear anyone calling me stupid just because its popular to hate the monte carlo.
Alex @ May 23rd 2007 3:22PM
Perhaps I subscribe too much to the Gordon Murray design school but even though this coupe may be faster than a Civic Si I feel disappointed that Nissan was unable to reduce the curb weight. At nearly 3,300 pounds this thing is almost as heavy as an IS 300 sedan!
I'm sure this car is going to be quick but its a shame Nissan was unable to keep the curb weight down, this especially important when you're going around those tight turns.
Calebe @ May 23rd 2007 3:32PM
What did they do to the tail lights? Blah! cheap looking soiled red tail/turn lights. I dont like it. It won't even register in my mind when one passes by.