Autoblog

Next-gen Nissan Altima Hybrid to feature supercharged 2.5L engine, advanced CVT, li-ion battery

Autoblog Staff — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:02:00 EST

The next-generation Nissan Altima mid-size sedan will be the first Nissan vehicle equipped with the automaker's first-ever, in-house developed, front-wheel-drive hybrid system. The hybrid setup, due in 2013, will be replace the Toyota-based system, which Nissan used in the now-axed Altima Hybrid, according to Masayuki Yasuoka, a senior exec in Nissan's next-generation powertrain group.

Nissan's upcoming gas-electric setup will be loosely based on the hybrid system found in the rear-wheel-drive 2012 Infiniti M35h, meaning it will feature a two-clutch, single-motor, lithium-ion battery setup. But instead of the 3.5-liter V6 engine that powers the M35h, the Altima Hybrid will likely pack a surpercharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder powerplant, mated to a new, advanced Xtronic continously variable transmission.

All this intel was reportedly revealed during a recent test drive at Nissan's Oppama proving grounds in Japan. Yasuoka declined to comment on which Nissan model would get the in-house developed hybrid system, but the Altima seems the most likely candidate.

Next-gen Nissan Altima Hybrid to feature supercharged 2.5L engine, advanced CVT, li-ion battery originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan Altima Hybrid axed for 2012 model year

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Nissan

2011 Nissan Altima Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you've ever wanted to purchase a Nissan Altima Hybrid, now's the time. The 2011 model-year Altima Hybrid marks the vehicles last hurrah. According to Kicking Tires, the Altima Hybrid suffered dismal sales in its lifespan, mostly due to the fact that the vehicle was only sold in a handful of states (those that stuck to California's stricter emissions standards), unlike its main competitors.

Originally launched in 2007, the Altima Hybrid was Nissan's first foray into the gas-electric arena, using a Toyota-derived hybrid drive system. According to the EPA, the Altima Hybrid is rated to achieve 33 miles per gallon in combined driving. Not bad, but quite weak when you consider that 40 mpg is the new benchmark.

Nissan Altima Hybrid axed for 2012 model year originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Jun 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ford Fusion Hybrid pays off quickest

Nik Bristow — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 08:27:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Sedan, Ford

2010 Ford Fusion - Click above for to enlarge

For about the first 110 years of the automobile, the gold standard of eco-thriftiness was a car's miles-per-gallon rating. With the rise of hybrids, plug-ins, biofuels and the like, cost-per-mile might be the better measurement of road-going value. The idea is simple: if a car is powered by a Mr. Fusion or Dilithium crystals or the laughter of children and only costs $.01 per mile to operate but it carries a sticker price of $500,000, its efficiency is never going to balance out its initial cost.

Well, the San Francisco Chronicle has compiled a list of seven popular hybrids along with estimates of how long it would take for each car to pay for its higher cost compared to non-hybrid models in gasoline savings. The winner by a long shot is the Ford Fusion Hybrid at a mere 5.6 years. Which car fared worst? The Nissan Altima Hybrid at a whopping 21 years. We have to wonder, 21 years from now, will they still be making batteries for a 2010 Altima Hybrid?

In short, if you're going by gas savings alone, hybrids don't really pay in the short term. Then again, if gasoline taxes shoot up or peak oil really is right around the corner, the cost per mile of these vehicles could very quickly tip in their favor. Read the full article here.

[Source: San Francisco Chronicle]

Report: Ford Fusion Hybrid pays off quickest originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2008: Braille Battery Nissan Altima Hybrid time attack hot rod

Merritt Johnson — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Motorsports, Hybrid, Green, Nissan

Click above for high-res image gallery of the Braille Battery Nissan Altima Hybrid

On display at this year's LA Auto Show is a Nissan Altima Hybrid racecar aimed at pleasing the eco-radicals of California, and the folks over at Autoblog Green. The car was first released at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, but the LA crowd is really more up its alley. This Altima is a direct result of the team at Braille Battery pairing up with Nissan North America and Universal Technical Institute. The "Hot Rod Hybrid," as it's called, is a construction aimed at competing in the new hybrid/electric class of the Redline Time Attack series. There are also plans to give it a run in the 2009 Cannonball Run/One Lap of America event. We know the car will be in good hands, too. Driver Blake Fuller is experienced with both front- and rear-wheel-drive vehicles, as exemplified by his finishes in the Pike's Peak hill climb and Formula D drifting events.

The Braille Battery Nissan Altima Hybrid is constructed with great attention to detail. The green eco-friendly DuPont paint initially catches your eye, but the best part can be found once the car passes by you. The exhaust outlets are formed out of leaf silhouettes. No environmentally conscious element on this vehicle is left unturned, even the race seats are a new product from Sparco containing recycled materials. The roof is also topped with battery recharging solar cells. To help the car be competitive on the racetrack, the internal combustion engine is tuned to run on E85 ethanol while being boosted by a Vortech electric supercharger. All in all, it is an intriguing experiment. We look forward to seeing how the car fairs under the wear and tear of many Time Attack battles. More details can be found in the press release after the jump. Also be sure to take a gander at the gallery below for SEMA shots provided by Braille Battery, along with those we captured in LA.

Gallery: Braille Battery Nissan Altima Hybrid

Continue reading LA 2008: Braille Battery Nissan Altima Hybrid time attack hot rod

LA 2008: Braille Battery Nissan Altima Hybrid time attack hot rod originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog week in photos: Week of April 9th, 2007

Chris Shunk — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 01:08:00 EST

Filed under: Videos

In the wake of the New York Auto Show, there were still plenty of photos to see on Autoblog this week. There were plenty of great photos, from our review of the SRT Magnum, to Autoblog Green's review of the Nissan Altima Hybrid. We've also added links below to some of the more exciting galleries from the week gone by.

This week, music come from The Figments with "Second Time Lucky". Enjoy!

Gallery: Dodge Magnum SRT8

Gallery: ALMS Long Beach

Gallery: Holden Commodore SS - Victoria Police

Gallery: RUF CTR 3

Gallery: Clio Renault Sport Luxe

Autoblog week in photos: Week of April 9th, 2007 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Apr 2007 01:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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