Autoblog

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]

click above image to view a high-res gallery of the Infiniti G35 S

A while back we had a G35 S 6MT in the Autoblog Garage. That car was delivered in a delightful snowstorm with high-performance tires showing some wear, so it was quite difficult to get a good bead on the car's true capabilities. How ironic, then, that we should get a second chance with the G35 S. This time, it was delivered in gorgeous spring weather wearing a set of ooey gooey Blizzak LM22s. You can't win.

While the snowshoes hindered capabilities slightly, they were far more accomodating than a snowstorm when it came to wringing out the G35S. Our previous impressions of the car still stand, but we did gather useful dry-road experience, as well. The VQHR's 306 horsepower was a heady brew, and the bark from the exhaust had a ripply crescendo that encouraged redline shifting with the 5-speed automatic's manual mode. This car is seriously eager. The burble is sometimes wearying on highway jaunts, or when you just want to slip away unnoticed; but as car guys, it's tough to deny the allure of a bitchin' exhaust note.

In its haste to leave Southern California, Nissan apparently forgot to check with the local salvage yard and make sure its spent prototypes were destroyed while it was moving its operations to Tennessee. Unfortunately for Nissan, some anonymous Nissan Performance Mag staffers found a banged up 2007 Infiniti G35 (we assume sedan, although it's not specifically stated) hiding out under a cover in an auto salvage yard. Normally this wouldn't be noteworthy, as the major auto mags have already reported on the production version of the 2007 Infiniti G35, and in one case already pitted it against a BMW 3-Series. However, none of the major auto mags went into great detail about the new VQ35HR motor that will be powering the G35 and, presumably, the 2008 Nissan 350Z.

John Smalberys from Nissan Performance Mag has taken information brought back by his staffers before they were accosted by a junk yard dog and written a great piece dissecting Nissan's flagship V6 from top to bottom end. We'll spare you the intricate details here, but Smalberys theorizes that because the engine is so much beefier than the VQ35DE it replaces, that Nissan is planning to turbocharge it in some application. One might expect such an engine to appear in the 2008 Z-car, either as standard equipment or as part of a high performance package. Smalberys also notes that the upcoming Skyline GT-R is expected to receive a punched-out, twin-turbo 3.7-liter variant of the G35's new 3.5-liter, and that this new engine platform could possibly be enlarged all the way up to 4.5-liters in the future. Check out Smalberys' in-depth piece at Nissan Performance Mag if you really want to know more about the nuts and bolts of Nissan's new VQ V6.

Top tip, David!

[Source: Nissan Performance Mag]

Nissan has revealed details about its next-gen V6 engines, which will first appear in the 2007 Nissan Skyline / Infiniti G35.

The 3.5L VQ35HR and 2.5L VQ25HR feature new blocks and a host of new key components. The highlights of the engines' improvements are a 7,500 RPM redline (up from 6,600 on the previous-gen VQ), a 10% increase in fuel economy, and a SULEV emissions rating.

The VQ35HR (pictured at right), as applied in the '07 G35, will be good for over 300 horsepower, but Nissan has yet to divulge an exact number. In Japan, the '07 Nissan Skyline will be available with both the 2.5L and 3.5L engines, as was previously the case. The last-gen VQ25 made 210 horsepower -- a number that will undoubtedly go up with the introduction of the VQ25HR. There are currently no known plans to use the 2.5L V6 in North America.

Key specs of the new VQs are listed in the press release after the jump, and Nissan also released audio of what the VQ35HR sounds like, which you can stream by clicking here.

The release of the details surrounding the new powerplants has prompted enthusiastic discussion over at the FreshAlloy.com forums, where Nissan/Infiniti fans have also posted some X-Ray-type shots of the 2007 G35/Skyline's new intake and exhaust systems.

Thanks Jason for the tip!

(Press release after the jump)

[Source: Nissan via FreshAlloy.com forums]

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]

This is the fourth generation Altima from Nissan and it looks to build on the sales strength of the popular third generation model. All new for ’07, the Altima is based on Nissan’s new D platform and has a shorter wheelbase and length than the previous model, though retains its ample interior space. A new generation VQ-Series 3.5L V6 puts out 265 hp and 255 ft-lbs. of torque through either a six-speed manual or through the company’s Xtronic CVT, the latter of which is quite an achievement considering the amount of torque Nissan’s V6 is able to generate. Plus, CVT-equipped models get a center console with a new triple front cup holder. Woot!

We dig the Altima’s duds, especially the strong front and rear fenders that give the car a wide and stable appearance. The new T-shaped corporate grille works well here, especially with the optional HID headlamps.

After the jump are more live shots, some pretty staged photos of the Altima in a desert (it’s natural habitat?) and Nissan’s official release.