You might think that has pulled a fast one at today’s New York Auto Show by unveiling two different of its , one a two-row Sport model and the other a three-row family-minded model simply called Santa Fe. In reality, however, we’ve been expecting this since we .
The Santa Fe Sport seen above will offer buyers seating for five as well as two four-cylinder options. The base model comes equipped with a direct-injection 2.4-liter four-pot good for 190 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, while a turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder good for an estimated 264 ponies will also be offered. Both will be offered paired to a six-speed automatic transmission, and either engine can be had with all-wheel drive. The latter comes with torque-vectoring cornering control, a bit of tech that Hyundai hopes will set the Santa Fe Sport apart from other affordable crossovers. More impressively, the automaker says it has managed to clip a whopping 266 pounds from the Santa Fe compared to the 2012 model.
Buyers who need a bit extra space may want to step up to the seven-passenger Santa Fe. The three-row model adds around four inches of additional wheelbase and a more powerful 3.3-liter direct-injection V6 with 290 horsepower. The additional inches allow for around 38.6 additional cubic feet of passenger volume compared to the Santa Fe Sport, and the long-wheelbase model should fill in for the ill-embraced which is likely in its last model year. for the complete press release.
There is no sugar-coating the fact that the has been a dud since Day One. Honda’s luxury brand is painfully aware of this fact, especially since . Then again, the RL has suffered the indignity of being outgunned by a lower-priced model , so we can see how selling one has been an uphill climb for dealers. But has an all-new luxury flagship waiting in the wings, and it’s seen its first light of day as the RLX Concept, which just debuted at the .
Honda is quick to point out that the sedan will provide large car interior volume in a mid-size package.
Like most other Honda/Acura concepts, the RLX is sure to look much the same in production trim. The concept features a new design direction for the upscale marque, with more understated yet elegant lines that just look more expensive than the outgoing RL. With the exception of the fussy concept car wheels, we think it looks rather crisp, though it is very conservative and has a trunk that reminds us more than a little bit of the when viewed in profile. The concept appears to be quite large as well, but Honda is quick to point out that the sedan will provide large car interior volume in a mid-size package.
The RLX concept arrives packing some advanced technology under the hood as well, including an all-new 3.5-liter V6 mated to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. But the reworked V6 and all-new transmission is just part of the powertrain story. The concept also features an advanced Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system that helps boost overall power to a V8-like 370 horsepower.
The concept features a Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system that boosts power to a V8-like 370 horsepower.
The “hybrid” part of that title includes what Acura is calling a “unique dual electric motor drive unit with a bilateral torque adjustable control system.” Basically, it’s a through-the-road electric all-wheel-drive setup with torque vectoring on the rear axle. The same Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system first appeared on the NSX concept, and we disguised as a last November. Acura promises fuel economy numbers of at least 30 miles per gallon on the highway and in the city.
The production RLX will also be available sans electric-AWD system, with 310 horsepower coming solely from the 3.5-liter V6. The front-wheel-drive version will feature a plethora of technology that improves handling, including Amplitude Reactive Dampers, a new double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension. It will also weigh in “well under 4,000 pounds,” which should help in the handling department.
The production Acura RLX should be available in early 2013. to read Acura’s official press release and click on the image above to view the RLX concept in high resolution while you wait for our live shots from the show floor.
When the gets overhauled, , you know it’s not long before its corporate sister, the , gets revisited as well. And has done exactly that this afternoon at the , with the new model doing what the ES does best: Surprise no one.
, the biggest news is the announcement of a hybrid ES, a move that should be the final . This new hybrid is essentially the Camry hybrid in a nicer package, powered by the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder fitted with the ubiquitous hybrid system. As it does in the hybrid , Lexus will offer a sport drive mode, as well as an EV mode. Lexus estimates that the ES hybrid will have 40-mile-per-gallon combined fuel economy, matching that of the Camry Hybrid XLE (a number that presumably will give it best-in-class bragging rights).
The ES gets the new Lexus spindle grille treatment and a 1.8-inch longer wheelbase, but changes to the sheetmetal aren’t as dramatic as the upgraded cabin. The instrument panel now resembles the one in the GS, with a horizontal treatment and a big LCD screen, along with the love/hate Lexus Remote Touch Interface controller snuggling next to the gearshift in the center console. New seats boast a leather-alternative NuLuxe covering, although real hide is also available, along with premium semi-aniline leather. Somehow, Lexus has even managed to find an extra four inches of legroom up front.
The ES 350 will still mate Toyota’s proven 3.5-liter V6 with a six-speed automatic, driving the front wheels. But Lexus says it’s modified the suspension and steering in this generation of ES to improve handling – and it’s even cut the curb weight of the 2013 ES by 90 pounds.
Like the existing but not such a fan of its incredibly boxy styling? Or like the styling just fine but just wish it had a diesel? Well we’ve got good news for you, friends, because has just taken the wraps off a revised model that aims to remedy both.
Not only does the 2013 GLK-Class get the familiar new family face, but what’s behind it has been replaced as well. That means a direct-injection 3.5-liter V6 for the GLK350 that’s more powerful and more efficient than the powerplant it replaces, and also a 2.1-liter turbodiesel that joins the family wearing GLK250 BlueTEC badging.
The interior has been updated as well, all of which Mercedes surely hopes will help it fend off advances from the , the , and the rumored baby from . Take a closer look at the updated GLK in our high-res gallery of live images from the floor above and the stock shots in the gallery below for a closer look.
The wait is finally over. … excuse us, has officially pulled the wraps off the 2013 , and it’s everything we were hoping it would be. Let’s discuss numbers: 640 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque from a front/mid-mounted 8.4-liter V10 and the best power-to-weight ratio of any Viper ever built.
Two models will be available, the standard high-performance SRT and GTS.
In fact, the 2013 SRT Viper’s 4.9 pounds per horsepower puts it just behind the and and ahead of such performance stalwarts as the and . What’s more, this engine has no turbocharger or supercharger, and those 600 lb-ft make this V10 the most torque-rich naturally aspirated production engine in the world.
Two models will be available, the standard high-performance SRT and GTS. The SRT is meant to “offer a perfect blend of extreme performance and a deliberate preservation of what has become the iconic DNA of the Viper,” says Ralph Gilles, President and CEO of the Street and Racing Technology Brand and Motorsports. Buyers looking for a little more technology can opt for the GTS, which adds such niceties as a two-mode active suspension and interior creature comforts not normally associated with the Viper.
The 2013 Viper isn’t just about power, either. Chassis updates are plentiful and include a beautiful X-brace up front that helps the new platform boast a 50-percent increase in rigidity over the last Viper. To help the driver maintain control, the 2013 Viper is fitted with stability and traction control (both fully defeatable, says Gilles) along with Pirelli P Zero Z-rated tires that were designed specifically for the Viper in massive 355 sizes in back and 295 up front. Three different wheels will be available, with five or six spokes in polished, matte black or gloss black finishes, along with a special lightweight set as part of the SRT Track Package.
Inside, the Viper is more luxurious than ever before, with seats from Sabelt (the same supplier used by ) and a seven-inch LCD screen directly in front of the driver that’s configurable with a whole slew of custom operations. Chrysler’s stellar 8.4-inch Uconnect Media Center is also included, as is a Harmon Kardon sound system. Oh, and for the first time ever, cruise control is standard.
For the first time ever, cruise control is standard.
Though first and foremost a street car, SRT fully intends to establish the 2013 Viper’s racing credentials early and often. Viper will return to the American Le Mans Series in 2012, fielding a two-car team driven by Dominik Farnbacher, Marc Goossens, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Kuno Wittmer. And gaming fans aren’t left out, either – SRT has worked with the Forza Motorsport 4 crew to make sure the 2013 SRT Viper is available soon as DLC.
There’s lots more information in the press release and videos , but we suggest you check out our high-res image galleries first, as this Viper is one beautiful machine.
The has made its long-awaited debut at the 2012 New York Auto Show. In an effort to further distance the model from the very successful , the MKZ now wears a more aerodynamic and distinctive shape, complete with a new interpretation of the family’s split wing grille. Max Wolff, the design director, says the grille is supposed to invoke the image of an eagle descending on its prey, though we see more splattered butterfly in the fascia. Still, the smallish, adaptive headlight arrays and contoured hood are a huge step forward for this luxury sedan.
Out back, massive C pillars dominate the design’s posterior, though the clipped tail and handsome trunk deck give the vehicle plenty of identity. Inside, the 2013 MKZ is beautifully executed as well, with attractive interiors and a clean center stack design made possible by the lack of a traditional gear selector.
The sedan will debut with a total of three driveline options, including a 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder good for 240 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque as the base engine. A 3.7-liter V6 is also available with 300 horsepower, while fuel-economy minded buyers can turn toward the MKZ Hybrid with its 188 horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor. So far, no EPA estimates are available for the hybrid, though the four-cylinder is expected to fetch 22 mpg city and 33 mpg on premium fuel. Expect to find front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variants, with both non-hybrid models relying on a six-speed automatic gearbox to put power to the wheels, while the electrified four-door makes use of a CVT. for the full press release.
Attendees at the are getting their first hands-on look at the all-new , the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission’s choice to replace much of its taxi fleet beginning in late 2013. “The NV 200 unveiled today will be the safest, most comfortable and most convenient taxi the City has ever had,” said New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg at a pre-show event last night. “New York City cabs have always been iconic, and now they will set a new standard. The 600,000 passengers who use taxis to get around every day deserve the cutting-edge technology and top-of-the-line safety features that this model delivers.”
The compact front-wheel drive yellow vans, fitted with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder for fuel efficiency, are loaded with features designed to keep four passengers and the driver on the other side of the partition smiling. Grab handles and sliding doors ease entry while a transparent roof panel and independently controlled rear air conditioning allows paying fares a comfortable, panoramic view of the city. Throw in mobile charging stations, antimicrobial upholstery and active carbon headliner to absorb odors, and an amusingly named “low annoyance horn” and Nissan just may have a winner on its hands – assuming cab companies and their fares embrace the rather frumpy looking things.
Nissan will build its 2014 NV200 Taxi in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Base price, with all planned standard features, will be approximately $29,700.
The isn’t the only grandiose crossover from General Motors to get the refresh treatment at the 2012 New York Auto Show. also unveiled a face-lifted version of its today.
Though the tweaks appear slight at first blush, the vehicle boasts an all-new front fascia with a redesigned grille and black-chrome accents, contoured headlamps and a more aggressive hood up front. LED daytime running lights are standard equipment, as are the LED tail lamps out back. A revised rear fascia wraps up the changes out back.
Indoors, designers threw in LED ambient lighting as well as a smattering of soft-touch materials across the dash and door panels. The cabin can be swaddled in a total of four interior combinations with associated “complimenting” wood tones. The center stack has also been reworked with touch-capacitive controls. Here’s hoping GM has better luck with the technology than what’s found on various Ford vehicles. for the full press release.
If you’ve been saving your spare change to pick up one of these new models later this year, well, now you can more accurately estimate how many wheelbarrows full of nickels you’ll need to dump into the Coinstar machine at your local grocery store.
We’ll start with the . While we already knew the six-cylinder 640i Gran Coupe would , prices on the V8 models have now been set. The 650i will sell for $87,395, while the 650i xDrive model will command $90,395. Both are powered by a twin-turbo, 445-horsepower, 4.4-liter V8, which BMW says can propel the all-wheel-drive version from 0-62 miles per hour in 4.5 seconds. (The rear-wheel-drive model is a tick slower at 4.6 seconds.) The 640i goes on sale in late June, with the V8 models coming towards the end of summer.
The M series cars will command substantially more, with the 2012 Convertible commanding all of $113,995 when it goes on sale in June. The M6 Coupe and will go on sale in late summer as 2013 models, with the M6 carrying a $106,995 MSRP and the M5 listing at $90,695. All three models will share a twin-turbo, 560-horsepower, 4.4-liter V8.
The price of a fourth M vehicle, the revised 2013 , has also been announced. It will sell for $93,795, a $2,600 increase from this year’s model. For more details, to check out the official release.
has finally pulled the sheets back on its . The convertible counterpart to the hardtop that debuted at the Geneva Motor Show bows with the same vicious turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 under the hood. Good for 560 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque and mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, the convertible should be able to launch to 62 mph in around 4.1 seconds. BMW hasn’t mentioned the weight difference between the hardtop and the convertible, though the automaker stressed the 2013 model has shed significant weight over its predecessor. The “base” 2013 BMW M6 Convertible will leave the showroom with 19-inch M-designed wheels, though larger 20-inch alloys are also available.
The vehicle will land on U.S. shores this summer ahead of its hardtop brethren. The big question is whether or not BMW will offer the convertible with an honest manual gearbox. So far, BMW hasn’t said much in that direction beyond saying the possibility is “under consideration.” Given the M6 Convertible target demographic, we’d say that we doubt it, but you never know – BMW has had a noteworthy habit of building America-only manual transmissions models as of late. for the full press release.
Everything has been thrown at the 2013 to make it not only the largest SUV Mercedes offers, but the equivalent of a jacked-up . It grows by an inch in length and gets fractionally wider and taller, with the extra size providing more head, shoulder and elbow room for all three rows of passengers. It is also loaded with new standard features like a “photo quality” color instrument display, self-leveling air suspension, Collision Prevention Assist and Crosswind Stabilization.
Three flavors are available: the V6 GL350 BlueTec, and the two twin-turbo V8s in the GL450 and GL550, each with more power than before. The GL350 gets 240 horsepower and 455 pound-feet, up 30 hp and 55 lb-ft; the GL450 returns 362 hp and 406 lb-ft, a raise of 27 hp and 67 lb-ft; the kingly GL550 turns out 429 hp and 516 lb-ft, up by 47 hp and a not-inconsequential 127 lb-ft.
Of course, being Mercedes, the options list has expanded, too, with details such as the On- and Off-Road Package and Active Curve System to help you maintain steady control of the beast no matter the surroundings. for all the details, and take a glance at it in the gallery of high-res photos above.
General Motors has just unveiled its facelifted at the today. The big crossover has abandoned the company’s corporate grille in favor of a new design that’s expected to eventually make its way to the rest of the utility vehicle stable. With three chrome-finish bars across the upper grille inlet, more expressive headlamp arrays and a new foglight design, the 2013 Traverse looks a bit more conservative and polished than it did before, at least from up front. Move past the A-pillar, however, and the vehicle looks plenty familiar. Even with a new hatch, redesigned taillamps and a modestly massaged rear valance, the 2013 Traverse hasn’t strayed too far from its family-minded original recipe.
Likewise, the 2013 model’s drivetrain remains untouched as well. The same 3.6-liter V6 puts down 288 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque through either the front wheels or an all-wheel drive system and the six-speed automatic has been reworked for quicker shifting.
Buyers will be able to opt for Chevrolet’s new MyLink system, complete with Internet-based applications like Stitcher and Pandora as well as Bluetooth voice and audio capability. Like its fellow Lambda-platform sibling, the reworked , the Traverse will also be available with a new center airbag that bisects driver and front-seat passenger. for the full press release and peruse our live shots for more views of this Chevy staple.
Harmless as it may seem, the new-for-2013 actually packs quite a punch. Rated at an estimated 38 miles per gallon, it boasts the best four-cylinder fuel economy of any midsize sedan, and that’s without the use of any electric motors, turbochargers or even direct injection. Impressive stuff, and considering that the sleek new Altima starts at a cool $21,500 (not including $760 for destination), it should prove to be a worthy opponent for rivals like the and .
The engines – a 2.5-liter inline-four and 3.5-liter V6 – carry over without many changes, but the big powertrain news is that the Continuously Variable Transmission has been heavily massaged. It’s the smoother-running transmission’s revised gear ratio spread that is largely what allows for that huge fuel economy win. The fact that the Altima is 79 pounds lighter than its predecessor – the lightest car in its class, actually – certainly helps, as well.
With the Altima, also debuts its new infotainment platform, Nissan Connected, which seems to be like, well, just like every other new infotainment system that’s come to market lately. The Altima is also available equipped with lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring and moving obstacle detection that’s all wrapped in to one single wide-angle camera mounted on the car’s rump.
Check out our live shots of the Altima direct from the show floor, and to read our in-depth deep-dive of Nissan’s new midsizer.
General Motors has officially unveiled the at this year’s New York Auto Show. Riding on the same bones as the , the next-generation Impala boasts a considerably more attractive exterior with plenty of personality. Borrowing the best elements of design from the GM stable, we see more than a little and in the sedan’s front fascia and stylized hips. Buyers can look forward to either standard 18-inch wheels or a slew of larger options, including massive 20-inch rollers. Under the hood, GM has graced the 2014 Impala with a range efficient direct-injection engines, including a 2.4-liter four-cylinder paired with the automaker’s eAssist hybrid system.
With 182 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque, the drivetrain falls well short of the 288 horsepower offered up by the , though it does so while returning significantly better fuel economy. GM Says the four-cylinder Impala will return 35 mpg highway, six mpg better than the full-size .
Those who need a little extra grunt can step up to the company’s tried-and-true 3.6-liter V6 with 303 horsepower and 234 lb-ft of torque, and there’s also a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder available that produces 195 horsepower, while all three engines are mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox. for the official press release from Chevrolet, and check our galleries of live and official images while you’re at it.
is hard at work on the newest interpretation of the Cooper S John Cooper Works GP we recently . Speaking just ahead of the New York Auto Show, Kay Segler, the senior vice president of the Mini brand, said the vehicle will debut in around five weeks time at the Circuit Paul Ricard F1 track in Le Castellet, France during a Mini community event.
That’s exciting, but not nearly as much as news that the new machine is plenty quick. As you may recall, our spy photographers spotted the Cooper S JCW GP just outside of the infamous Nürburgring. Segler says he’s personally driven the machine, and that he knows for a fact that the vehicle is a full 20 seconds faster around the road course than its predecessor. Segler declined to announce the exact time.
Twenty seconds is a huge amount of time in any form of motorsports, and that’s doubly true for ‘Ring times. The original Cooper S JCW GP boasted just 215 horsepower but shed an impressive amount of weight to stay quick. The new model is expected to bring around 220 hp to the party along with significant weight reductions of its own. Still, a 5-hp nudge hardly explains a 20-second improvement around the Nürburgring. Stay tuned.
To hear tell the story, the is super popular with the public. True, it was one of the ten best-selling cars the U.S. last year, but take away sales to rental, government and commercial fleets, and we’d bet our last dollar that the Impala is no more popular than its competitors, probably less so considering its age. That’s why Chevrolet is hoping its all-new Impala for 2013 will do what the last model couldn’t: attract folks who don’t buy their large sedans in bulk.
The 2013 Chevrolet Impala clearly looks considerably better and more modern than the car it replaces, which hadn’t received a thorough redesign since 2005. The face up front is the Bowtie brand’s new corporate visage, which can also be seen on the refreshed . It’s an attractive mug with clean lines, little-to-no clutter and a full suite of high-tech HID and LED lighting elements. At least in pictures, the rest of the new Impala looks brawny and muscular compared to the last model’s antiseptic lines. Its wheels, meanwhile, will range in size from a large 18 inches in diameter to a super-sized 20 inches.
We also universally approve of the Impala’s new interior design, which sports a dual-cockpit concept, as well as a 4.2-inch information screen between the gauges and an eight-inch screen atop the center stack. However, we’re having a hard time with that steering wheel, which doesn’t live up to the rest of the cabin’s aesthetic standards.
Power for the new Impala will come from a range of three engines, all featuring direct injection: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with eAssist producing 182 horsepower/172 pound-feet and achieving an estimated 35 mpg highway, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 195 hp/187 lb-ft and a 3.6-liter V6 producing 303 hp/264 lb-ft. All will mate to a six-speed automatic and drive the front wheels only.
The Impala has also received a slew of new available active and passive safety systems, including Full-Speed-Range Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigation Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
We’ve included the official press release from Chevrolet below and will update the gallery will more official images as soon as they’re available. And later today we’ll show you what the Impala looks like in person from the floor of the .
Overheard at the reveal event for the this evening: This is the car you buy your secretary.
Yes, the altogether good-looking Atlantic sets a new high for plug-inhybrid looks, and even though is tight-lipped about things like all-electric range, cost or an estimated delivery date, for now the car speaks for itself. All anyone would tell us is that the Atlantic will come in at “a much lower price point than the Karma,” as Fisker executive chairman Henrik Fisker put it, suggesting something in the range of the or “the upper end of the .” So, $45,000? In any case, Fisker seems to have learned its lesson with the Karma situation/delay, and is keeping mum about its future plans.
One thing Fisker was very happy to talk about was that the Atlantic is a car that will be built and will go into production. It is “a promise we are going to deliver,” he said.
Whenever the Atlantic arrives, it is most likely going to be incredibly similar to what we see in the pictures here (and in ). Fisker said that his company does not do concepts – see how little the Karma changed between auto show reveal and showroom. And that’s fine by us. The lines and angles of the little Karma might be too busy for some, but in person they most certainly work. One thing to note is that in person the headlights have a frozen/frosted look that offers an ‘eagle eye’ with a strength of strong character not seen on a production car before,” the Fisker press release says.
Despite the off-hand suggestion from the peanut gallery that this is a car for those with a bit of money to throw around, Fisker repeatedly emphasized the practicality of the Atlantic. For one thing, it will have the second-generation EVer (Electric Vehicle with extended range) powertrain that incorporates a BMW four-cylinder gasoline engine, because, Fisker said, “range equals freedom.” He also showed the gathered media how the rear seats fold down and called it “a pure family vehicle.” Must be nice to be in that family.
Among the many exploits of Ken Block we’ve posted on over the years, we’ve always loved of his fitted with tracks at all four corners. So when we got a tip on an eBay Motors auction for a similarly equipped , we were tempted to head up I-75 to check out the car in person.
The is for sale in Chassell, MI, some 550 miles north of Detroit in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, way up in the Keweenaw Peninsula, which extends into the middle of Lake Superior. With apologies to our friends in Canada, it’s about as far north as you want to go when the snow flies. And the snow flies a lot in the Keweenaw, thanks to a wicked lake effect that dumps more than 200 inches of the white stuff every winter. Yes, that’s over 17 feet of snow, but it’s nothing compared to the winter of 1978-1979, when the area got almost 30. So if you’re wondering why anyone not named Ken Block would fit a track system to their , well, now you know.
Alas, this year Michigan has not seen much in the way of winter, even up in the frosty north country. With just 120 inches of snow through the end of February and temperatures that pushed into the upper 70s on St. Patrick’s Day, getting around the Keweenaw right now does not require tank-like traction – or even four-wheel-drive.
Whether that’s motivated the seller or not, we don’t know, but we do know what would motivate us to buy: The promise of next winter.
Click to see video of this eBay Motors find kicking up rooster tails, or check out all the pictures in our .
Though it’s never going to post particularly impressive sales figures, the is, at least to us driving enthusiasts, the most important debut at the 2012 . As such, it comes as little surprise that has done its best to keep its new snake under cover ahead of its official debut.
Despite those efforts, here we have what appears to be photographs snapped during a video presentation showing the 2013 SRT Viper looking rather sinister in crimson. Based on previous , , and other , these pics sure look like the real thing, and the reborn Viper looks just as venomous as ever.
There’s plenty of inspiration drawn from the first and second generations of the Dodge Viper, especially the gorgeous Coupe model, but we also note a fair bit of European flair courtesy of the automaker’s recent tie-up with Italy’s . Some of the coupe’s sinuous and feminine curves recall the Alfa Romeo 8C in particular.
You won’t have to wait long for the 2013 Viper’s official debut, as the New York Auto Show gets underway tomorrow. In the meantime, feel free to browse the image gallery above and let us know what you think of the new Viper in Comments.
It boasts the best highway fuel economy for any non-hybrid midsize sedan: 38 miles per gallon.
Perhaps more than most people realize, the is a hugely important car here in the United States. In 2011, it was the second best-selling car in the country (trailing its classmate, the ), and with the launch of this fifth-generation Altima, appears to simply be going for an evolutionary enhancement rather than completely reinventing its successful midsize sedan formula.
That said, this step forward for the Altima should make it more competitive than ever in one of the most highly shopped segments of North America’s automotive marketplace. Nissan has not only been able to shed enough weight to make the Altima the lightest car in its class, it now boasts the best highway fuel economy for any non-hybrid midsize sedan: 38 miles per gallon when paired with the 182-horsepower 2.5-liter inline-four. Combine that with a new rear suspension setup, class-exclusive driving aids such as Active Understeer Control and a slew of new infotainment functionality, and Nissan’s midsizer looks to have what it takes to keep running with the segment’s best.
for an in-depth look at what’s in store for the 2013 Altima.
