Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Nissan recalls 26,000+ 2009-2010 Altima and Maxima models over strut issue]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/26/nissan-recalls-26-000-2009-2010-altima-and-maxima-models-over-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/26/nissan-recalls-26-000-2009-2010-altima-and-maxima-models-over-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/26/nissan-recalls-26-000-2009-2010-altima-and-maxima-models-over-s/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2010 Nissan Altima -- Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2009 and 2010 Nissan Altima and Maxima are being recalled over a suspension issue. The problem is the upper front strut insulators on some cars, which might not meet specified tolerances and therefore crack. Nissan is notifying owners this month and the repair will be taken care of by dealers, who will replace the strut insulators on both sides. Follow the jump to read the notice from the NHTSA. Hat tip to Art G


Gallery: 2010 Nissan Altima Sedan


[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading Nissan recalls 26,000+ 2009-2010 Altima and Maxima models over strut issue

Nissan recalls 26,000+ 2009-2010 Altima and Maxima models over strut issue originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The image you see above is the updated 2010 Nissan Altima. No, really... it may look eerily similar to the mid-size sedan currently on dealer lots across the country wearing window stickers that say 2009, but the 2010 model is in fact slightly restyled.

Especially noticeable is the reworked front fascia, which now features a slightly more prominent upper grille and a lower intake that's molded in body color plastic instead of black. Flanking that lower opening are new foglights that sit inside boomerang-shaped recesses. We can't make out much of the car's hind quarters, but it seems the tail lamps have grown a in size.

The story of how this image was leaked is also at least mildly interesting. As we reported earlier today, all Altimas and Maximas from the 2009 and 2010 model years were recalled due to faulty upper front strut insulators, despite the fact that a total of zero 2010 Altimas have so far been sold. Automotive News used the image above of the 2010 Altima for its story, but nearly everyone - save the eagle-eyed chaps at Motor Trend - failed to notice the snafu since the new car looks so similar to the previous model. Thanks for the tip, Mehdi!

[Source: Motor Trend via Altima Forums]

2010 Nissan Altima leaked online, internet almost fails to notice originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 Nissan Maxima - Click above for high-res image gallery
Certain 2009 and 2010 Nissan Altima and Maxima models may be fitted with out-of-spec suspension components that may contribute to an accident. As a result, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a recall campaign (ID #09V358000) to correct the problem in up to 26,398 vehicles. The identified issue is isolated to the upper front strut insulators in both models - the inferior insulators may crack, allowing the struts to move out of position. Understandably, the problem could affect vehicle stability and potentially lead to a crash.

According to NHTSA, Nissan dealerships will be replacing both left and right side strut insulators at no charge to the customer. While the recall campaign doesn't officially begin until October 5, consumers may contact Nissan at 1-800-NISSAN1 (1-800-647-7261), or the NHTSA's Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) for further information. Further details are available in the press release after the jump.


Gallery: 2009 Nissan Maxima


[Source: NHTSA]





Continue reading Nissan recalling 26,000+ 2009-2010 Altima and Maxima sedans over faulty struts

Nissan recalling 26,000+ 2009-2010 Altima and Maxima sedans over faulty struts originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With the 2010 Nissan Altima coupe getting an impromptu full frontal reveal during a recent marketing photoshoot, Nissan has released a single teaser of its redesigned mid-size sedan to keep interest on boil.

Although the awkwardly cropped image doesn't show the reworked grille found on the recently tweaked Versa and Sentra, we do get a clear view of the revised headlamps and more sculpted, organic creases running along the doors. However, the L-shaped headlamps fitted to the Maxima and 370Z are MIA, an odd omission considering Nissan's recent push for familial cohesion.

According to an internal document we've received from a tipster, the 2010 Altima Coupe will receive a few key feature upgrades, beginning with the 2.5 S M6 (six-speed manual) model which will include Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Traction Control System (TCS), a manually adjustable lumber support for the driver's seat and 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in P215/55 all-season rubber.

The 2.5 Premium IS 2.5 CVT Plus (whew!) will receive a 4.3-inch color display, along with an iPod interface and USB input capability, while the 3.5 SR M6 IS and 2.5 S M6 with the Premium Package will be fitted with Xenon HID headlamps. Joining the Tech Package's 6.5-inch screen and HDD navigation system is a 9.3 gig "Music Server" system with DVD playback, Bluetooth streaming audio and a new audio/video jack that replaces the standard auxiliary audio input. Expect all the official information to be released in the coming weeks, with the 2010 Nissan Altima coupe and sedan going on sale before November. Thanks for the tip Mehdi.

Nissan releases teaser of 2010 Altima, model changes leak out originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UPDATE: Images removed at request of photographer.

Next on the Cavalcade of Mild Styling Tweaks, the Nissan Altima Coupe. It's still mostly internet speculation about what's in store, but some pictures of what's believed to be the 2010 Altima Coupe have surfaced. Altimas.org forum member Mr_Coupe got hold of a couple of stills that appear to depict a facelifted Altima two-door and a 370Z Roadster getting all shot up by a Mercedes M-Class process truck. It could be running footage or a commercial being filmed, and it's unclear where the two snaps came from, but it offers grist for the mill.

When we asked about the photographs, Nissan told us the following:
"We can confirm that several marketing activities (photo shoots, etc.) have been underway for the past several weeks capturing a number of Nissan products. While the image does appear to be a 2010 Altima, no further information will be provided at this time."
It looks like the Coupe will be given a grille more like its sedan siblings (although the four-door is also likely to get refreshed), and the headlamps appear different here when the picture is scaled up. As we head into the end of 2009, there's sure to be more details coming soon. With just a single shot of the front end, we're left to wonder if the same kind of treatment has gone on out back, with subtle changes to the rear fascia and taillamps. Now that we've lit the conjecture bomb, we're just going to back away behind this blast wall here... Thanks for the tip, Mehdi!

[Source: Altimas.org]

Spy Shots: 2010 Nissan Altima Coupe getting a nip/tuck? UPDATED originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler has been eerily silent about what, if anything, is in the works to replace the Avenger/Sebring twins, other than giving the replacement plan a cryptic "Project D" moniker. The pair are still relative newcomers to the scene, but the competition has delivered Chrysler's midsizers a sound drubbing both in the press and on the sales charts. The problem is that development costs money, something that's currently hard to come by. Thinking strategically, the unloved and outgunned Chryslers might seek solace by relocating to the Nissan Altima's platform. The Altima is one of the best - and best-selling - vehicles on the market. Put plainly, we would dive on an Altima's keys to avoid driving these Chryslers.

A relationship between Chrysler and Nissan already exists, with plans for Chrysler to port the Ram over for Nissan to rebadge as the next Titan, and a version of the Versa wearing Pentastar badging for the South American market is in the mix, so it's not like the two companies are strangers to each other. If Chrysler decides that it still wants its own platform, a partnership with another company to do the building might still be in the cards. Project D is about finding the most economic way to bring a competitive midsize sedan to market, including shrewd lash-ups.

According to Kicking Tires, Chrysler hopes to have a partner chosen by the end of the first half of 2009, with Nissan already being acknowledged as one of the possibilities.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

Could Chrysler's "Project D" be a Nissan? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 10 Jan 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>altimaAuburn HillsAuburnHillsavengerchrycochrysler nissanchrysler project dchrysler sebringChryslerNissanChryslerProjectDChryslerSebringdodge avengerDodgeAvengernissan altimaNissanAltimaproject dProjectDsebringSat, 10 Jan 2009 12:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Chrysler and Nissan consider sharing mid-size car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/07/chrysler-and-nissan-consider-sharing-mid-size-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/07/chrysler-and-nissan-consider-sharing-mid-size-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/07/chrysler-and-nissan-consider-sharing-mid-size-car/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Lending further credence to earlier rumors of platform sharing between Chrysler and Nissan, The Wall Street Journal reports that Chrysler is in talks to base its next mid-size sedan on the next-gen Altima platform. Chrysler's "Project D" focuses on finding or designing a suitable replacement for the current Sebring and Dodge Avenger, models which have fallen on their faces with consumers. Other rumors point to Fiat being the chosen platform-supplier. After all is said and done, Chrysler could have a line-up which consists of a small car from Chinese automaker Chery, another small car from Nissan, a mid-size sedan from Nissan and a line of full-size sedans, pickups and SUVs of its own design. While Chrysler's main goal is to become profitable once again, there is certainly some danger in becoming a re-brander of cars from other companies, especially in the hotly-contested mid-size sedan market.

[Source: The Wall Street Journal]

Chrysler and Nissan consider sharing mid-size car originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Aug 2008 06:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Following the lead of Japan's other two big-time automakers, Toyota and Honda, Nissan has just announced that it too will be cutting truck production to focus on cars. At its Canton, Mississippi plant, Nissan will cut in half the number of shifts for workers assembling Titan pickup trucks and Armada full-size SUVs. On the flip-side, the automaker will add a third shift for production of the Altima mid-size sedan, which should allow it to keep its workers on the job. This move is not surprising, as passenger cars have been outselling their truck brethren handily in these days of record high gasoline prices. Ford, which has a new F-150 set to go on sale shortly, has offered employee pricing for its trucks, while General Motors recently announced that it would be idling four plants that produce trucks and SUVs and may rid itself of the HUMMER brand entirely. Dodge, for its part, is offering cheap gas and big incentives as a ploy to get consumers interested in its pickups. Unfortunately, it's not as easy for our domestic automakers to switch plants from producing trucks to passenger cars as many are older facilities that weren't built with flexible production in mind.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Nissan 3rd Japanese automaker to shift truck production to cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety just wrapped up its latest battery of batterings and most of the tested contenders in the mid-size segment faired well. The Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring, along with the Infiniti G35, Nissan Altima, Chevrolet Malibu, Saturn Aura, Mitsubishi Galant and Kia Optima all received a grade of "Good" for front and side impacts, with the exception of the Optima, which ranked "Acceptable" during the side impact evaluation. However, problems arose in the rear crash test, where the G35, Altima, Malibu, and Aura were all rated as "Marginal," while the Avenger/Sebring received an "Average" score and the Optima walked away with a gold star and a "Good" rating. The only vehicle that received a "Poor" rating on any of the tests was the Mitsubishi Galant, which didn't hold up as well during the rear-impact test.

All the details from the IIHS are available in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading IIHS midsize smack down: Side impact ratings better, rear crashes, not so much

IIHS midsize smack down: Side impact ratings better, rear crashes, not so much originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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click above for more images of the 2008 Nissan Altima

The Nissan Altima narrowly beat out the Honda Accord for the coveted Consumer Reports Top-Ranked, Mid-priced Sedan, which is revealed in the February 2008 issue. The V6 Accord lost to the V6-powered Altima by a scant one-point, followed by the Toyota Camry and Volkswagen Passat.

Consumer Reports tested a number of family sedans for its February issue, ranging from the base four-cylinder models and up to the range-topping V6s. The selected vehicles, which also included the Ford Taurus, Dodge Avenger, Kia Amanti and Subaru Legacy, were broken down into three categories: "Affordable," "Mid-priced" and "Large" family sedans.

The four-cylinder Altima took the top spot in the "Affordable" category, leading by six points over the Accord, with the Kia Optima EX and Passat 2.0T coming in third and fourth, respectively.

Consumer Reports is quick to point out that the Accord, which has won the publications Top Pick for five years, outperformed the majority of the players, but in the end, the Altima proved to be the best value overall.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Gallery: 2008 Nissan Altima Sedan

Continue reading Consumer Reports names Nissan Altima top mid-size sedan

Consumer Reports names Nissan Altima top mid-size sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Another big recall to report. This time it's Nissan and its bread-and-butter Altima sedan. Apparently, cars with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder have an air filter that can cause some serious problems. It seems that if something hot is sucked into the filter, like ashes from a cigarette, it can catch on fire. Four incidents have already been reported to Nissan. Notices started going out to some of the 140,000 2007 Altima owners last week. Besides replacing the air filter with a presumably less flammable one, Nissan will also add an air deflector to help prevent a potential accumulation of debris in the filter.

In all, 140,582 Altimas have been sold so far this year, making it Nissan's best-selling vehicle, and the ninth-best seller overall in the States. The recall affects Smyrna, Tennessee cars made between Sept. 25 and May 11, as well as those built from Oct. 30 through May 11 at its Canton, Mississippi, factory.

[Source: Chicago Tribune via KickingTires]

Nissan recalls over 140,000 Altima sedans originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jul 2007 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monday, Nissan began production of its 2007 Altima at its Canton, Mississippi plant. The new sedan's base price will be $17,950 for a 2.5 liter engine and 6-speed manual. Upgrade to a 3.5-liter V6 SE for $24,000. The new Altima is available in four other models: Altima 2.5 S with 6-speed manual transmission at $19,800; 2.5 S with CVT at $20,300; 3.5 SE with CVT priced at $24,500; and the Altima 3.5 SL with CVT at $28,400. Nissan says pricing for the Altima Hybrid will be announced later.

Press release with full details after the jump.

[Sources: Nissan, Clarion Ledger]

Continue reading Nissan prices, begins production of 2007 Altima

Nissan prices, begins production of 2007 Altima originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Oct 2006 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's crunch time in the auto industry, there's no doubt about that. The Detroit Free Press' Mark Phelan paints the picture in the simplest -- yet starkest -- terms possible when he lays out the seven models that can make or break the profits of the major automakers.

Chevrolet Silverado: Chevy's best-selling pick-up accounts for a HUGE amount of sales and market share for General Motors, and despite its class-leading fuel economy, gas prices and other factors are shifting buyers away from full-size pick-ups.

Toyota Tundra: This full-size pickup supplies jobs to thousands of people in Indiana and Texas, true, but its real significance is as a market share cannibal to the Dodge Ram, Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado. The difference is that Toyota doesn't need the Tundra to make it, but the Big 3 need their trucks to do well in order to stabilize.

Ford Edge: It's one of just a few new Ford vehicles hitting the market this year, while other automakers like Toyota and Chrysler seem to have one vehicle after another hitting the streets and infiltrating consumers' consciousnesses. More importantly, the Edge's job is to pick up those customers leaving their Explorers and other larger trucks behind.

Honda Accord: With the new Camry out, it's easy to see that Honda must step it up with the Accord to keep its status as the better-designed, better-performing alternative to the Toyota Camry. The Koreans may not be hot on Honda's heels yet in terms of sales, but with the bold(er) design of the Camry and the less expensive Hyundai and Kia models to choose from, Honda has a tall order to fill with next year's Accord.

Nissan Altima: Nissan might have experienced a comeback thanks to risky design and impressive performance. The Altima? Not so much, at least as of late. Nissan's got a lot on its plate if it wants to put itself back on the import sedan map.

Chrysler Town and Country/Dodge Caravan: It survived the SUV craze, but can it survive crossovers? And more importantly, can it survive the import minivan craze? The Chrysler Town & Country is a pillar of strength for Chrysler, but it will be hard-pressed to stay there.

Buick Enclave/GMC Acadia/Saturn Outlook: They're GM's answer to the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander and Lexus RX330, and critics say they have the styling and fuel economy to be true contenders. Considering the importance of the segment, GM seems to be putting its best foot forward.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Seven models for 2007 that could change everything originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Sep 2006 06:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog tipster Arnold K. sent us this picture of the all-new 2007 Nissan Altima, which will debut Wednesday in New York. (I wonder if Arnold K. is a pseudonym for Carlos G?)

The new Altima rides on Nissan's new "D" platform and a redesigned suspension. It is rumored to be available with an optional CVT transmission.

Sneak Peek: 2007 Nissan Altima originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Apr 2006 18:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2007 altima2007Altimaaltimanissan altimaTue, 11 Apr 2006 18:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Preview: 2007 Nissan Maxima]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/11/preview-2007-nissan-maxima/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/11/preview-2007-nissan-maxima/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/11/preview-2007-nissan-maxima/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn will be orchestrating the official world premieres of the 2007 Nissan Maxima and the all-new 2007 Nissan Altima at the New York International Auto Show Wednesday, but to whet your appetite, here are pictures of the new Maxima. No tech info yet, but we'll have the complete story tomorrow from our show team. Lots of pictures after the jump - enjoy!

[Source: Nissan] Hot tip from Arnold K!

Continue reading Preview: 2007 Nissan Maxima

Preview: 2007 Nissan Maxima originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Apr 2006 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2007 altima2007 maxima2007Altimanew york auto shownissan altimanissan maximaTue, 11 Apr 2006 16:28:00 EST