"The 2007 Altima is designed to be very visceral, engaging all the senses including hearing," said Bosley. "The performance concept embraces the nimbleness of a smaller car, the ride comfort and security of a larger car and the high levels of driving enjoyment that is built into every Nissan."

2007 Altima is the first global application of Nissan's advanced "D" platform, which offers much improved body rigidity and an all-new front suspension with new geometry and shock absorbers with rebound springs.

The engine mounting position is 30 millimeters lower (with a six-point pendulum-type mounting system in place of the previous four-point system on V6 models) and the half-shafts have equal angles and are more parallel to the ground - virtually eliminating torque steer.

The subframe-mounted front suspension makes extensive use of aluminum parts. A new X-type upper cowl structure helps improve front body rigidity for suspension mounting. The 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.

In addition to 17-inch wheels and tires, 2007 Altima 3.5 SE offers a sport-tuned suspension with larger diameter stabilizer bars and unique spring rates and strut damping.

Two engines are available, a "next generation" version of the 12-time Ward's "10 Best Engines" award-winning VQ-series V6 and an inline 4-cylinder.

The 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC V6 is now rated at 270 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque and offers stronger acceleration and refined sound quality. The V6 on 2007 Altima features reduced friction, improved cylinder head cooling and new twin knock sensors.

Also available is a 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder producing 175 horsepower (170 hp CAL) and 180 lb-ft of torque (175 lb-ft CAL). The QR25 engine has been refined with a larger intake manifold, increased compression ratio (9.6:1 from 9.5:1) 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.

New dual exhaust system designs on 2007 Altima reduce exhaust backpressure by 35% on the 4-cylinder and 50% with the V6. Both systems utilize increased tube diameters and include dual chrome-tipped exhaust finishers.



Smooth, Efficient Xtronic CVT

The 2007 Altima is offered with a choice of two transmissions with both the V6 and 4-cylinder engines. A new 6-speed, narrow-gate manual features reduced friction, a new guiding plate, shorter shift stroke, increased torque capacity and closer gear ratios covering a wider range. The advanced Nissan Xtronic CVT replaces the previous conventional automatic transmission.

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