2005 NISSAN ALTIMA

2005 Nissan Altima Receives Dramatic Overhaul - New Exterior Features and Interior Enhancements Fortify Altima's Appeal

Originally launched in 2002, the third generation Altima was designed to provide an exciting alternative to the otherwise ordinary mid-size sedan segment. In 2005, Altima bolsters that concept with a dramatic overhaul to one of the most popular Nissan vehicles. Refinements for the 2005 model year include several styling enhancements, two new exterior colors, a totally revamped interior for a higher quality look and feel and newly available features such as a DVD-based navigation system. Also, Altima's V6 engine has been refined to produce five more horsepower. The new Altima is scheduled to go on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide in mid-February 2004.

The Altima brings to the segment an unmatched blend of performance, style and value. With its distinctive exterior design, choice of powerful 4-cylinder or V6 engines, performance-oriented suspension and fresh interior, Altima injects passion into the driver with a robust performance and offers an escape from the traditional four-door sedan.

"For the past few years, Altima has been an absolute all-star in the mid-size sedan segment and the dramatic improvements now feed that momentum," said Mark McNabb, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division. "The enhancements made to Altima's exterior and interior bring a new excitement and even higher quality to an already great car."

Passionate Interior Environment
The interior upgrades for the 2005 model year are designed to emphasize the harmony between driver and machine. The interior of the Altima is redone with enhancements made from top to bottom. New interior improvements for the 2005 model year include a new instrument panel design, center console, trim finishes, 3-spoke steering wheel, seat material, headliner and added chrome accents and chrome door handles.

Altima's large cabin again offers three distinctive interior environments that encompass both seat cloth or (optional) leather and interior surface trim appointments, including audio faceplate and HVAC controls. The three environment choices feature colors of Charcoal, Blond and Frost.

The instrument panel, designed to fall away from the occupants for increased leg room and improved ingress and egress, is a high tech design with a three-gauge ?cockpit? instrument pod with added chrome accents for 2005. The gauges feature a fine vision meter illumination system for superior gauge visibility for the driver.

The gauge cluster features a multi-function trip computer, which includes an odometer, twin trip meters and a display for outside air temperature, driving time, average speed, fuel consumption and distance to empty. For the first time, Altima offers an available DVD-based navigation system.

For the driver, there's a tilt and telescoping 3-spoke steering wheel, height-adjustable center console armrest and gated automatic transmission shifter with a formed gearshift knob design. HVAC and audio controls are grouped in a simple unit that reduces visual complexity for the driver.

Additional features include a power port inside the center console storage area for a mobile phone, large cup holders that can hold up to a standard size one-liter bottle, roof-mounted map light and sunglass holder. Power windows and locks are standard and windows can be opened remotely via key fob for cabin venting.

Audio systems include a standard 6-speaker AM/FM/CD with an available in-dash 6-disc CD changer with radio data system (RDS), speed-sensitive volume control and steering wheel audio controls. Optional is a Bose? premium audio system with 8 speakers and AM/FM/in-dash 6-disc CD changer with RDS, speed-sensitive volume control and steering wheel audio controls.

Altima also features a large trunk with standard cargo net and improved trunk trim. The trunk measures 15.6 cubic feet.

From a safety standpoint, Altima comes with standard dual-stage supplemental air bags that sense seatbelt use and collision severity and deploy accordingly. Optional are front seat side-impact supplemental air bags and roof-mounted side-impact curtain air bags for front- and rear-seat occupant head protection. Also standard are seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters and the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat anchors and tether system.

Expressive Exterior Design
"Altima buyers don?t want to blend in, they want to stand out. They don?t settle for practical, they go for excitement and style," said McNabb.

Altima's new exterior facelift gives it a more athletic, bolder look. For 2005, Altima features new smoked headlamps and taillights, a restyled smooth front fascia with a distinctive raised hood design, Nissan family grille, chrome accents on SL models and new wheels.

Altima's captivating design begins with its wedge shape with high waistline and pronounced character lines. An arched silhouette slanted back window and integrated front and rear bumper shapes give the sedan a fluid, smooth form. Newly styled, large 16- and 17-inch wheels give Altima a performance look with an aggressive stance.

Finely crafted combination headlights, with optional xenon bulbs on V6 models and large round taillights with new smoked lenses give Altima an upscale appearance. Green-tinted UV-reducing solar glass enhances Altima's luxury look, helps protect interior fabrics and improves passenger comfort.

Altima is assembled at the award-winning Nissan North America Manufacturing Smyrna and Decherd Tennessee plants using the Intelligent Body Assembly System (IBAS).

For 2005, Altima adds two new exterior colors Majestic Blue and Coral Sand ? among a choice of nine total exterior colors selected to complement the sedan's body and personality.

Abundant Performance with Award-Winning Engine
Altima's 250-horsepower 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 engine with 249 lb-ft of torque offers an increase of five horsepower and three lb-ft of torque over the 2004 model. The 3.5-liter V6 is part of the VQ engine series, which has been recognized as one of the ?Ten Best Engines by Ward's Auto World magazine for nine consecutive years. V6-powered Altimas qualify for Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) status.

Also available on 2005 Altimas is a 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder producing 175-horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. This engine, called QR25, features a silent chain drive and a balancer system that effectively negates vibrations without taking up much space ? combining ideal packaging and smoothness. All 4-cylinder models meet the latest U.S. federal governments emissions standards (FED Tier2 Bin5) and those units sold in California (and other states with California-certified vehicles) meet PZEV standards. Emissions equipment causes nominal reductions in horsepower (from 175 hp to 170 hp) and torque (from 180 lb-ft to 175 lb-ft).

Both engines feature continuously variable valve timing, modular engine design, microfinished crank journals and cam lobes, molybdenum coated lightweight pistons and electronically controlled throttles.

Backing either engine is a choice of 5-speed manual (not available on 2.5 SL 4-cylinder models), 4-speed electronically controlled automatic (4-cylinder models) or 5-speed electronically controlled automatic with manual shift mode (standard on 3.5 SL, optional on 3.5 SE).

Automatic transmission-equipped V6 Altimas offer an available traction control system. This system uses a combination of throttle, fuel cutoff and shift schedule to help aid traction in off-the-line starts and slippery situations. A 20-gallon fuel tank is designed to provide a long range between fill-ups.

The 2005 Altima features a front suspension design with extensive use of aluminum parts. A cradle-type frame with an offset coil spring and lower transverse link layout provides better handling and riding performance.

The rear multi-link independent suspension was designed from the Japanese-market Nissan Skyline. The rear shocks and springs are separated for reduced friction and the shock is in line with the center of the rear wheels, providing better damping and less harshness. In addition, the rear suspension is approximately six percent lighter than the rear suspension in the previous generation Altima.

All 4-cylinder Altimas come with 215/60R16 tires on either steel or aluminum-alloy wheels and V6 models feature standard 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and 215/55R17 tires.

Braking is provided by standard 4-wheel disc brakes with an optional 4-wheel,

4-channel, 4-sensor Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). ABS-equipped Altimas feature two advanced braking systems - Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), which optimizes brake force depending on load condition (passengers and cargo) and Brake Assist, which senses hard or panic pedal application and helps provide maximum braking capacity.

Models and Options
The 2005 Nissan Altima is available in five well-equipped models the base 2.5, mid-grade 2.5 S, luxurious 2.5 S with SL Package, and the V6-powered 3.5 SE and the all-new 3.5 SL. The 2005 Altima comes with several available packages. The 2.5 S features three convenience packages.

The Convenience Package features alloy wheels, 8-way power driver's seat with lumbar support, leather-wrapped steering wheel, steering wheel mounted controls, trip computer, dual illuminated vanity mirrors, speed-sensitive volume control, auto on/off headlights, auto up/down front passenger window and vehicle security system; Convenience Plus Package, which includes the contents of Convenience Package plus power glass sunroof with sunshade; and Premium Convenience Package, which includes the contents of Convenience Plus Package plus Bose? audio system with AM/FM radio and 6-disc in-dash CD changer, radio data system and optional satellite radio.

The new Altima 2.5 S with SL Package features an available power glass sunroof and DVD-Based Navigation Package.

The 3.5 SE features several exciting equipment packages, including a Sport Package, which includes sunroof and spoiler; Sport Package Plus, which includes sunroof, spoiler, Bose? audio system and xenon headlights; Leather Package, which includes a Bose audio system, sunroof, heated leather-appointed seats, simulated leather door trim panels, automatic temperature control, padded simulated leather armrests, HomeLink? Universal Tranceiver, auto-dimming inside rearview mirror and heated outside mirrors; Leather Sport Package, which includes the Leather Package, spoiler and HID xenon headlights; Premium Leather Package includes the Leather Sport Package plus simulated wood trim; and the Navigation Package.

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