The Altima prototype model is the first completed by Nissan under the agreement. With the Altima hybrid, Nissan hopes to offer consumers a sedan with V6 power and fuel efficiency that betters many compact vehicles. And while most hybrid vehicles place a premium on fuel economy, Nissan's primary focus seems to be on acceleration and performance - with increased fuel savings and environmental efficiencies. Nissan executives say that its gasoline engine is required to be shorter, due to less real estate under the hood (as a result of the hybrid system) and that this automaker known for sporty driving cars plans on having its "own specific tuning of the system, and its own engine that will create the difference that will bring Nissan-brand character." Nissan plans to build brand character into the Altima hybrid with 'Nissan-ness', that will include suspension tuning and throttle note. Interviewed during Nissan's 2005 360 new car and truck event, held for the worldwide automotive press in San Francisco, California, Nissan executive Jack Collins, Director of Product Planning, spoke about Nissan's efforts in the direction of fuel-saving. "We will apply hybrids more broadly than what we are currently, when the economic equation makes sense..." said Collins, "...when the market shifts." When questioned about diesel offerings for the US market, Collins revealed that Nissan is looking at its light truck lineup, for instance, a diesel version of its Titan, introduced in '04, as Nissan's first entry into that market. He also revealed that Nissan is looking at the heavy duty truck market in general and a diesel offering in that popular and growing segment of the market, as well.
|
