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2010 Nissan Altima Coupe Adds Refreshed Styling, Refined Interior and Enhanced Navigation System

The sporty, 2-door Nissan Altima Coupe enters its third year of production in 2010, once again offering a high-value, high-quality, high style coupe for Altima customers seeking a more personal expression of individuality and fashionable appearance.

For 2010, Altima Coupe receives a number of significant enhancements with new exterior styling, three new exterior colors, refined interior fabrics, a new available red leather-appointed interior color and revised option package content, including an advanced Nissan Hard Drive Navigation System and Bose premium audio system with 7 speakers and a 4.3-inch color display. In addition, a new Altima 3.5 SR model designation replaces the previous 3.5 SE model designation, with unique content for manual transmission-equipped 3.5 SR 6MT.

The 2010 Altima Coupe is available in 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engine-equipped 2.5 S and 3.5-liter V6 engine-equipped 3.5 SR trim levels, each offered with a choice of a 6-speed manual transmission or Nissans advanced Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission).

The Altima Coupes unique exterior design is intended to stand out in a crowd of sedan-based two-door models with magnetic, perfectly proportioned styling with a shorter wheelbase, shorter overall length and lower height than the Altima Sedan. The smaller size and lighter overall weight also contribute to the Coupes sportier driving feel a desired attribute of the typically younger, more performance-oriented coupe buyers.

Also offered is a long list of user-friendly technology features including standard Nissan Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition and available Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System with audio streaming and RearView Monitor.

Starting with the popular Altima Sedan, which has proven that a practical, high quality sedan doesnt have to be boring, the Altima Coupe adds a personality all its own taking the best elements of Altima to new levels of sleek sophistication and exhilarating control, said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. The enhancements for 2010 are substantial, providing even greater differentiation from the Sedan and upping the entertainment factor of an already terrifically satisfying sporty coupe.

A Revised Exterior and Interior for 2010
Dimensionally, the Altima Coupe rides on a 105.3-inch wheelbase, a full 4.0 inches shorter than the Altima Sedan. Overall length is 180.9 inches nearly 10 inches less than the Sedan. The Coupe also has a lower profile at 55.9 inches it is 2.1 inches lower than the Sedan. In terms of major body panels, the two cars share only a common hood, with all other panels, grille, headlights and rear combination lights unique to the Altima Coupe. Two chrome exhaust tips with unique rear taillights form a distinctive rear presence.

For 2010, Altima Coupe receives a revised hood, grille and front bumper, along with new projector beam headlights and standard 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. Altima 3.5 SR models offer standard 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with Michelin P235/45R18 tires.

Inside, the 2010 Altima Coupe offers revised interior fabrics and finishers, a new red leather-appointed interior color selection and a revised Blonde interior color. The gauge appearance has been changed to incorporate a new white illumination color ad the automatic transmission finisher features a revised design. The big news inside, however, lands squarely on the enhanced entertainment and technology features. The new premium audio system includes a 4.3-inch color display, USB port with iPod connectivity, Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, MP3/WMA CD-ROM playback and XM Satellite Radio (XM subscription required, sold separately). A RearView Monitor is also offered with the Premium Audio Package.

Also new is a next-generation Nissan Hard Drive Navigation System with 6.5-inch VGA color display, USB port with iPod connectivity, Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System with audio streaming, 9.3GB Music Box for music storage and playback, advanced map data including speed limit advisories, Zagat restaurant guide, XM NavTraffic and XM NavWeather (XM subscription required, sold separately) and an RCA input for auxiliary audio/video connectivity.

As in previous years, the 2010 Altima Coupes accommodating, driver-oriented interior includes unique sport-style front seats with more side support (versus Altima Sedan), in-board release lever and front seat storage pockets. All Altima Coupes also utilize a parking brake hand lever (versus foot release for Altima Sedans). The Coupe also includes a 60/40 split and flat fold-down rear seat.

Altima Coupes instrument panel features a Fine Vision gauge display for enhanced readability and the L-shaped flow of the instrument panel to the center console adds to the driver-oriented cockpit feel. The center console includes a double front cup holder, among the many convenient cup and bottle areas and storage compartments.

The 2010 Altima Coupe also comes equipped with a number of standard safety features, including the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt and occupant classification sensors, front seat-mounted side impact supplemental air bags and roof-mounted curtain side impact supplemental air bags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection.

Other standard equipment includes front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters, front seat Active Head Restraints, the LATCH System (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren), Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Traction Control System (TCS) and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Exhilarating Performance
Under Altima Coupes sophisticated exterior design is Nissans advanced D platform, developed with the objective of making Altima one of the best performing large front-wheel drive vehicles available globally. A number of items help to virtually eliminate torque steer on the Altima Coupe, including suspension geometry, an engine placement that is lower in the subframe and equal-length half-shafts that have equal angles and are more parallel to the ground (than the previous platform design).

The Coupes rear multi-link independent suspension design separates the rear shocks and springs for reduced friction and the shocks are in line with the center of the rear wheels, providing better damping and less harshness. Front and rear stabilizer bars are standard. The Altima suspension has been specially tuned for use with the Altima Coupe.

Ample power is supplied from a choice of two engines and two transmissions. The 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC V6 is rated at 270 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque and offers strong acceleration and refined sound quality. The V6 features reduced friction, improved cylinder head cooling and twin knock sensors.

Also available is a 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve QR25 inline 4-cylinder, producing 175 horsepower (170 hp CAL) and 180 lb-ft of torque (175 lb-ft CAL). This engine has been refined from the previous version, with a larger, equal-length intake manifold, increased compression ratio and reduced friction characteristics. It features a silent chain drive and a balancer system (with balancer changed to a center-mounted location for better NVH) that effectively negates vibrations without taking up much space combining ideal packaging and smoothness.

Both engines feature continuously variable valve timing, modular engine design, microfinished crank journals and cam lobes, molybdenum coated lightweight pistons and electronically controlled throttles. The 3.5-liter V6 and 2.5-liter 4-cylinder models are each available with Nissans advanced Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) or 6-speed manual transmissions.

The V6 CVT features a Sport mode controller with a high-speed central processing unit and Adaptive Shift Controller with adaptive logic for faster shifting in both normal and manual modes. The adaptive logic feature delivers the best shift pattern based on the driving environment and drivers actions.

Also contributing to Altima Coupes sporty performance feel are a standard twin-orifice vehicle-speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering system and 4-wheel disc brakes with standard 4-wheel, 4-channel, 4-sensor Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD).

Four Well-Equipped Models
The 2010 Altima Coupe is available in four well-equipped models: 2.5 S 6MT, 2.5 S CVT, 3.5 SR 6MT and 3.5 SR CVT.

In addition to the many standard features of the 2.5 S models, the Coupe 3.5 SR CVT adds the 270-hp 3.5-liter V6, 8-way power drivers seat, 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with P235/45R18 all-season radial tires, power glass moonroof with sliding sunshade, leather-wrapped steering wheel and steering wheels audio controls, fog lights, auto on/off headlights, heated sideview mirrors with integrated turn signals, dual illuminated vanity mirrors with illumination and extensions, unique exhaust tailpipe finisher, drivers seat manual lumbar support and wood-tone finishers (blonde interior).

To that long list of equipment, the Coupe 3.5 SR 6MT also includes leather-appointed seats, leather-wrapped gearshift knob, heated driver and front passenger seats, Bose AM/FM audio system with 7 speakers, 4.3-inch color display, RearView Monitor, Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, USB Port with iPod Connectivity, XM Satellite Radio, MP3/WMA CD-ROM playback compatibility, Radio Data System (RDS), speed-sensitive auto volume, auto-dimming rearview mirror, HomeLink Universal Transceiver, compass, mood lighting, metallic texture finishers, Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control and High Intensity Discharge (HID) Xenon headlights.

Available equipment packages include the 2.5 Convenience Package (2.5 S) with 8-way power drivers seat with manual lumbar adjustment, auto on/off headlights, leather-wrapped steering wheel, wood grain trim finishers for Blonde interior and more; and the 2.5 S Premium Package (2.5 S) with Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control, power sliding glass moonroof, Bose AM/FM audio system with 7 speakers, 4.3-inch color display, RearView Monitor, Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, USB Port with iPod Connectivity, XM Satellite Radio, MP3/WMA CD-ROM playback compatibility and more.

The Leather Package (2.5 S CVT, 3.5 SR CVT, standard on 3.5 SR 6MT) includes leather-appointed seats, heated front seats, leather-wrapped gear shift knob, High Intensity Discharge (HID) Xenon headlights, auto-dimming rearview mirror, HomeLink Universal Transceiver and more.

The optional 3.5 SR Premium Package (3.5 SR CVT, standard on 3.5 SR 6MT) adds Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control, Bose AM/FM audio system with 7 speakers, 4.3-inch color display, RearView Monitor, Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, USB Port with iPod Connectivity, XM Satellite Radio, MP3/WMA CD-ROM playback compatibility and more. Finally, the Technology Package adds the upgrade Nissan Hard Drive Navigation System, 9.3GB Music Box hard drive, DVD player and more.

The 2010 Altima Coupe is assembled at the Nissan North America Smyrna and Decherd, Tennessee Manufacturing.