Autoblog

Once again the boys and girls over at Inside Line have sold their souls to the devil in order to gain access to a preproduction version of the 2007 Nissan Altima before the car even debuted at the New York Auto Show last week. Their initial impressions of Nissan’s most significant sedan are very positive.

The current model Altima made shockwaves when it debuted in 2001 ready to throw down with the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. It’s fared well in the marketplace since then but has been hampered by an unsatisfactory cabin experience and reflexes that weren’t quite as quick as its elite competition.

The 2007 Altima is based on a brand new platform and features a new version of the company’s superlative VQ 3.5L V6 producing an expected 265 hp. The author even had praise for Nissan’s improved Xtronic CVT, despite the inane inclusion of simulated shifts. Also improved are the interior’s touchpoints, which this time around are “supple” rather than “rock-hard.”

The 2007 Nissan Altima was one of our best picks for the ’06 NY auto show and we’re anxiously awaiting our turn behind the wheel.

[Source: Inside Line]

Toyota has held the 2007 Camry’s first driving event for the press and the web reviews are starting to roll in. Mark our words, nearly every review of the redesigned Camry will mention the word “vanilla” and also conclude that the new sedan will retain its position in 2006 as the country’s best selling car. (Read the Inside Line review and Family Car.com review)

None of this comes as a shocker, but we did learn something new about the Camry Hybrid in particular that’s news to us. According to the review by FamilyCar.com, in CA, MA, NY, NJ, VT, ME, NH and RI the hybrid components in the Camry Hybrid will have a 15-year/150,000-mile warranty and its batteries will be covered for 10 years/150,000 miles. For the rest of the country these components get an 8-year/100,000 mile warranty.

Does this mean Hyundai doesn’t have the biggest warranty in the auto biz any longer? Probably not, as the standard bumper-to-bumper warranty follows the industry average for three years or 36,000 miles and the powertrain is covered for five years or 60,000 miles. Regardless, adding a warranty of that size to its hybrid components will most likely go a long way in helping Toyota dispel fears about the long-term reliability of its hybrid powertrains.

[pic provided by FamilyCar.com - thanks to nsx280ps for the tip!]