Nissan Begins Selling the Altima Hybrid in Eight States
EERE Network News, February 14, 2007 (3rd item)
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 The Nissan Altima Hybrid is the first hybrid vehicle built in the United States by a Japanese automaker. |
Nissan began selling its first hybrid vehicle, the 2007 Altima Hybrid, in late January. The vehicle is assembled in Tennessee and is available in the eight states that have adopted California emissions regulations: California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price for the Altima Hybrid is $24,400, and it also qualifies for a federal tax credit of $2,350. The hybrid vehicle is estimated to achieve 42 miles per gallon (mpg) in city driving and 36 mpg on the highway, for a combined fuel economy rating of 39 mpg.
The vehicle mates a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine to an electric motor and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for a total power rating of 198 horsepower, giving it slightly better performance than the standard 4-cylinder Altima. Nissan offers a 4-cylinder Altima with a CVT for $20,300—$4,100 less than the hybrid—but its combined fuel economy of 25 mpg is less than two-thirds of the fuel economy achieved by the hybrid version.
From the Nissan press release:
The Altima Hybrid features a high level of standard equipment, including 16-inch alloy wheels, Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition, power windows/door locks, 6-speaker AM/FM/CD system with auxiliary audio input jack, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Traction Control System (TCS) and dual-zone automatic temperature control that includes an Altima Hybrid-specific electrically powered A/C that continues to provide cooling when the gasoline engine is stopped.
The advanced energy drive system shares duties between the gasoline-powered 4-cylinder and the emissions-free electric motor – allowing the Altima Hybrid to run solely on electric power if appropriate, especially during stop-and-go driving. If extra performance is needed, the gasoline engine starts instantly and smoothly adds power as required. The Altima Hybrid has a hybrid system net power rating of 198 horsepower (148 kW). Acceleration from zero to 60 mph is estimated at about 0.5 seconds quicker than a standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder equipped Altima.
The Altima Hybrid utilizes regenerative braking technology to recharge the hybrid system’s batteries. The Regenerative Cooperative Brake System calculates braking force generated by brake pedal operation and controls the regenerative brake force to convert kinetic energy into electric energy, optimizing energy regeneration.
In order to power the electric motor, a generator places resistance on the driveshaft during braking. The system converts this friction to usable energy that is stored in the system’s 244.8V Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery for eventual use by the electric motor.
Altima Hybrid’s electric motor produces high torque at low rpm, allowing it to utilize its Electric Vehicle (EV) mode to power the car from a standing idle and through initial acceleration without the assistance of the gasoline engine. Standing-start acceleration is typically a gasoline-only powered vehicle’s least fuel-efficient stage and Altima Hybrid offers much of its fuel-efficiency benefits here.
Hmmm. Could it be time to dump my 1995 Tbird with its 4.6L V8? Or wait for the plugin? Wait, they don't even sell the Altima in my state. What's up with that? Is Nissan losing money on these?
Posted by: George | February 15, 2007 at 12:04 AM
George - They were designed to take a loss, to "test the waters". Right now, it's the best bet on the road if you want a Hybrid, and they're getting great reviews.
Read up more at www.HybridAltima.com!
Posted by: AZhitman | February 15, 2007 at 01:51 AM
When are carmakers going to get serious about gas milage? My non-hybrid Honda Civic gets 38MPG. I'd like to see a comfortable car that gets 100 to 150MPG, even if I have to plug it in at night.
John
http://solarjohn.blogspot.com
Posted by: John D. | February 15, 2007 at 10:00 AM
You'll get that soon John.
Plugins are coming. If these cars have even a 20 mile plugin range they will average well over 100 mpg. What I want though is a mass produced, inexpensive conversion kit that installs in a high mileage front wheel drive four cylinder car.
An electric motor and adaptor, quick charge li-ion battety pack good for a 25 mile range on electric power alone, and a backup generator that runs on multiple fuels.
A 5000 dollar conversion kit on a used car (with a bad internal combustion engine)I can buy for around 1000 dollars. Now that would really rock!
Posted by: amazingdrx | February 15, 2007 at 11:22 AM
I'm real curious to see either A123's or Altair's HEV/PHEV batteries now. Would be nice to get some stats on nano li-ion designs in the hybrid market.
Has anyone found anything regarding the Altair/Alcoa deal??? It kinda sucks that they would set up a booth at the hybrid symposium but not release any news prior to that... or even news after the fact.
Stat for stat... I must ask this question... Which battery is better, M1 or NanoSafe???
Posted by: Jimmi | February 15, 2007 at 11:52 AM
It's hard to get good data Jimmi.
Is it due to financial regulations for publicly traded companies, industrial secrecy, or a coverup? Not sure.
NREL ought to test all the batteries and proclaim the winners as they have done with solar PV and concentrators. But their funds have been mostly curtailed by the oil friendly administration.
Just like the government held the jeep contest in the buildup to WW2. We are in a fight against global climate disaster at least as serious as WW2 was.
Posted by: amazingdrx | February 15, 2007 at 01:39 PM
Electric would be quicker for everyone to have one in their garage. I admit that. However, electric powered cars bring problems of their own to the table. What happens when these cars get old, and the batteries are sitting around in junkyards...err uhh...excuse me..."Auto Dismantlers" locations, and are corroding?
I want a car that can go further than the city limits where I live. I know the problems with using Hydrogen. It is not naturally produced on earth. It takes energy to isolate it. Well, so is electricity. Don't give up yet on Hydrogen. It's going to take some time, but I have faith that it's going to be the fuel of the future. For homes and autos. It's only been 104 years since man has first flown!
Posted by: Michael1938 | October 11, 2010 at 01:49 PM
My hope is that as the developers keep producing hybrids and improving them that they keep improving gas mileage in newer models.
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