Nissan announces new 2009 Sentra FE+ 2.0 SR
2009 Nissan Sentra FE+ 2.0 SR - Click above for a high-res gallery
These days, many have seen their discretionary income fall faster than a ZR1's fuel gauge at full gallop. Recognizing this fact, Nissan has responded with a new iteration of the Sentra for 2009 called, rather cryptically, the FE+ 2.0 SR. On the surface, the new SR looks like the high-spec SE-R model – which itself has given up a bit of performance in the name of comfort and convenience over the last few years – with sporty front and rear fascias, a rear spoiler, smoked head- and tail-lamps and 16-inch alloy rims.
Despite its sporty appearance, this model's main purpose in life is to save on fuel bills. Under the hood lies the standard Sentra's 140-horsepower 2.0-liter four-banger, as opposed to the SE-R's enlarged 2.5-liter mill. When mated to the standard CVT transmission, Nissan is estimating that the SR will return 26 mpg in the city and 34 on the highway, which is a slight improvement over last year's 25/33 with the same powertrain combination.
The new SR will carry an MSRP of $17,760 (all prices plus $695 destination fee), which matches the price of the carry-over S model. Also available will be a base FE+ for $16,730, an up-level SL for $19,660 and the SE-R for $20,660. The top-rung SE-R Spec V will go for $21,160 and will be available solely with a 200-horsepower 2.5L mated to a manual transmission. Head past the break for the full press release.
Gallery: 2009 Nissan Sentra FE+ 2.0 SR
PRESS RELEASE:
NISSAN ANNOUNCES NEW 2009 SENTRA FE+ 2.0 SR
Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) today announced an expansion of the popular Nissan Sentra line-up with the addition of a sport-styled Sentra FE+ 2.0 SR model. The Sentra FE+ 2.0 SR is scheduled to go on sale at Nissan retailers nationwide beginning on April 17, 2009. The Sentra FE+ 2.0 SR has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)* of $17,760, the same price as the Sentra FE+ 2.0 S model. The full 2009 Sentra lineup now features seven models, ranging from the entry-level Sentra FE+ 2.0 to the performance-oriented Sentra SE-R Spec V.
"With so much attention being paid to high value, high mileage vehicles like Sentra today, we want to offer customers a range of choices within the lineup – so they can find the perfect level of equipment, sportiness and performance to fit their needs and budgets," said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, NNA.
The new Sentra FE+ 2.0 SR was created in response to customer demand for a sportier looking Sentra without going all the way up to the high-performance Sentra SE-R and Sentra SE-R Spec V models. The "SR" starts with a standard Sentra 2.0 S and adds sport-inspired exterior enhancements, including SE-R-style front and rear fascias, side sills and rear spoiler; sport grille; dark chrome bezel headlights and dark smoked bezel taillights; 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels; exhaust finisher; and "SR" trunk lid badge. It is available in six exterior colors, including the limited Sentra SE-R/SE-R Spec V colors, and will be offered with a Charcoal cloth interior.
Along with a range of models, the 2009 Sentra is available with a choice of two engines and two transmissions. All models except the SE-R and SE-R Spec V are equipped with a fuel-efficient 140-horsepower (135 hp CAL emissions) 16-valve 2.0-liter DOHC inline 4-cylinder engine. Estimated fuel economy is 34 mpg Highway/26 mpg City (Sentra FE+ 2.0-liter with CVT).
The 2009 Nissan Sentra SE-R and Sentra SE-R Spec V models feature sporty styling, enhanced performance and additional standard equipment (versus non-SE-R models) and a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine (rated at 177 horsepower in the SE-R and 200 horsepower in the SE-R Spec V). Available Sentra transmissions choices (depending on model) are the advanced Xtronic CVT™ (Continuously Variable Transmission) and 6-speed manual.
"We've been inviting customers to take a closer look at Sentra for its value, style and performance. Now we're adding one more reason – more choice," said Castignetti.
About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010, whose key priorities are reducing CO2 emissions, cutting other emissions and increasing recycling. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com.
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* MSRP excludes applicable tax, title and license fees. Dealer sets actual price. Prices and specs are subject to change without notice.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
ack154 7:36PM (3/11/2009)
Talk about a face full of fail...
Reply
kd 1:26PM (3/12/2009)
I am sure it's way better then crap you are driving. Focus?
ack154 8:49PM (3/11/2009)
Really? You're just going to throw out a guess like that from that one post?
Wow. Speaking of fail again though...
P B 12:31AM (3/12/2009)
Man why does everyone hate on the Focus?
Jon 1:21AM (3/12/2009)
A Focus is better; same HP, better MPG with no lame CVT, you can actually add stability control, Sync, you can get a good deal on one...
j 11:43AM (3/12/2009)
Focus or Sentra, who cares they're both turds.
Upthewazzu 7:41PM (3/11/2009)
You can polish a turd, but it's still a turd.
Reply
chconline 7:55PM (3/11/2009)
Come on, it's not THAT bad.
The competition just looks so much nicer though... and with a 2.0L I4 for 140hp and a 'sporty appearance' (Might as well add a Boeing 747 wing and a fart cannon and a couple Type-R GT RS SS SpecV SHO SRT4 stickers) that gets 26/34 why don't I just buy a Civic R18 that's much better looking, produces same amount of power, with much better fuel economy?
superman211 10:23PM (3/11/2009)
Not very good mileage for a small wimpy car especially with a CVT
TyWright 7:42PM (3/11/2009)
That soothing reflection makes me want one... mmmm
Reply
Aprime 7:42PM (3/11/2009)
Way to make SE-Rs even harder to spot (not like they're that worthy, but they're cheap).
Stop trying to make this car a Corolla, damn it.
Reply
Willem B 7:53PM (3/11/2009)
looks more like they're trying to turn this into a Saturn ION
Harrison 11:20PM (3/11/2009)
@ Wilheim
More like a CATion. Chemistry geeks should pounce now.
chconline 1:12PM (3/12/2009)
Meh I'm in Electrical Engineering but
LOL :P
AntBee 7:51PM (3/11/2009)
To me, silver is not the right colour to introduce the public to every single new automobile that comes down the pike. It seems that the automakers are stuck in a rut with silver. This car is hideous, and silver is its worst enemy!
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Dan 7:59PM (3/11/2009)
The thrilling driving experience of a torqueless entry-level penalty box.. with the understated, fuzz evading good looks of a, well, slightly less torqueless entry-level penalty box coveted by 15 year old fast and the furious types everywhere.
It's made of WIN!
Reply
why not the LS2LS7? 8:02PM (3/11/2009)
As my mother who owns one (with an auto) points out to me, the Nissan Sentra SE-R has never been a real riced-out performance model. That's the SE-R spec V or something like that.
The MPG figures on this car are incredibly uninspiring.
Reply
PJ 11:35PM (3/11/2009)
The original model (whose magic Nissan has been trying to recapture since 1995, when it became the blobby, beam-axle 200SX SE-R) was simply badged an SE-R. The "Spec V" moniker was tacked on in 2002 to distinguish the "real" SE-R from the automatic/2.5L "base" version.
This new version seems analogous to the previous generation's "1.8 Special Edition," which added some of the SE-R's show and none of its go (but sold well). Pretty gimmicky to throw "FE+" in there, since fuel economy is identical to other 2.0-liter Sentras.
jv2k 3:22AM (3/12/2009)
What's with all the mpg comments? I mean I don't like the car either(it's ugly), but it 26mpg city isn't too bad at all.
A civic with the same hp and 20 less torque makes the same horsepower, a mazda 3 with a little more horsepower and a little less torque makes 2mpg less, the ford focus makes 1 mpg more and 2 less in the city, and let's not even get into toyota(who can't make a 4 cylinder car with more than 112 hp that gets good mpg).
The only car that gets a solidly better mpg with more hp than this car is the cobalt, and it still gets worse mpg in the city.
Nightcrawler 1:45PM (3/12/2009)
"and let's not even get into toyota(who can't make a 4 cylinder car with more than 112 hp that gets good mpg)."
Huh? The 132 hp 4 cyl. Corolla gets 27 city/35 highway, better than any of the other cars you mentioned. The Corolla is not exciting, but good mpg and reliability are the two things it does well.