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The Nissan collection of cars for 2008 grows with the introduction of a two-door coupe variation of the mid-size Altima sedan and a souped-up performance version of compact-class Sentra badged as Sentra SE-R. In addition, Nissan constructs the two-seat 350Z sports car as a slinky hatchback coupe or racy drop-top roadster, plus a powerful sedan in the flagship Maxima series and sub-compact Versa in sedan and hatch styles.
Nissan's mid-size Altima sedan rides on a rigid platform and offers a V6 upgrade. Engines include a dual-cam 2.5-liter in-line-four pumping 165 hp or a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 265 hp. A six-speed manual transmission with gated shifter works for either plant, as does the optional Xtronic CVT (continuously variable transmission). Altima's cabin, with front bucket seats and a rear bench for three, is a plush space with chrome accents on dash and doors plus Fine Vision Gauge instruments and standard Intelligent Key with pushbutton ignition. Anti-lock brakes are the new standard issue for all Altima trims.
The Altima Hybrid is a state-of-the-art hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain dropped into the Altima mid-size sedan to forge a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). The hybrid powertrain combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline-fired engine and Nissan's Xtronic CVT with an electric motor and generator to boost fuel economy figures and also decrease tailpipe emissions. Total output for the two engines is a net power rating of 198 hp. Altima Hybrid earns EPA fuel economy scores of 35 mpg City and 33 mpg Highway and it's rated as an Advanced Technology-Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV).
The Altima Coupe is sleek two-door coupe variation of the Altima mid-size sedan shows up in Nissan's Class of 2008. Altima as a coupe has the wheelbase trimmed as well as the overall length and height as compared to the Altima Sedan. The two engine choices are Nissan's 2.5-liter in-line four-cylinder with 175 hp or the VQ-series 3.5-liter V6 pushing to 270 hp. Transmissions are a six-speed manual with gated shifter or the optional Xtronic CVT. Sporty cabin gear includes Fine Vision Gauges and the Intelligent Key linked to a push-button engine starter.
A chiseled body marks Nissan's four-door flagship sedan the Maxima. Maxima packs high power with a 3.5-liter V6 scored to 255 hp through the Xtronic CVT. Two models -- 3.5 SE and 3.5 SL -- vary in suspension tuning. The sport-oriented 3.5 SE uses a performance-tuned suspension for tight handling control, while the comfort-oriented 3.5 SL has cushy settings for a luxurious ride. New to Maxima SE and SL is the Platinum Edition package, which installs bi-xenon high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps, auto-dimming exterior mirrors, driver's seat power lumbar, a heated steering wheel and Bluetooth hands-free phone kit.
Nissan's compact-class sedan the Sentra was overhauled in 2007 and returns for 2008 in a slick package loaded with features for comfort, practicality and safety. It's longer and taller and wider than the predecessor Sentra. The cockpit adds stylish materials and a double-folding back seat plus cargo space exceeding 13 cubic feet. Sentra's powertrain -- a 2.0-liter four-cylinder plant making 140 hp -- links to a standard six-speed manual transmission or optional Xtronic CVT. Front-row side air bags and curtain-style air bags are aboard, with ABS and electronic brake force distribution (EBD) new standards for Sentra 2.0 S.
Special Sentra SE-R editions spin off Nissan's sporty compact in two versions, SE-R and SE-R Spec V. Both carry a raucous engine, although more power points apply to the Spec V performance variation. The unique front fascia adds a crisp mesh grille and round foglamps. Body-colored sills stretch toward the pavement along each side, while a spoiler flies off the tail. Powering the series is Nissan's QR25DE four-pack that hits 177 for SE-R or 200 hp for Spec V. The latter also has a six-speed manual shifter, larger disc brakes and optional helical limited slip differential.
The entry-level Versa sub-compacts from Nissan conform as a three-door hatchback and four-door notchback sedan. Built on Nissan's versatile B platform and dressed with dramatic styling lines, Versa emphasizes generous cabin space and comfortable accommodations for as many as five passengers. Juice flows from a dual-cam 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine which perks with 122 hp and delivers high fuel economy scores. A six-speed manual shifter is standard but Nissan's Xtronic CVT or a four-speed automatic are options. For 2008 a new Sport Package is the latest add-on for Versa Sedan 1.8 SL.
Nissan's 350Z conforms as a sleek two-door hatchback coupe or curvy roadster convertible. Each shows knife-edge keen bodywork and each stocks the VQ35HR V6 engine spiked to 306 hp with manual transmission models. 350Z the roadster splits into three models in 2008 with the coupe adding five trims including the NISMO 350Z. It wears an aerodynamics package with front fascia and chin spoiler, side skirts, underbody diffuser and a wing on the tail. The NISMO Z also gets Brembo brakes and RAYS lightweight forged-alloy wheels. Latest paint chip for coupe and roadster is labeled Nogaro Red.
Two trucks of different size wear the badge of Nissan for 2008. Biggest is the full-size Titan, constructed at Nissan's manufacturing facility in Mississippi, with power supplied by a powerful V8 built at a Nissan engine plant in Tennessee. Nissan's other truck, the compact-class Frontier, comes together at a Nissan factory in Smyrna, Tenn.
Nissan's big truck the Titan stands high and stretches long, with the new Long Wheelbase version packing an 8-foot box in back. Muscle rips from Nissan's 5.6-liter V8, which develops 317 hp. Linked to the engine is an electronically controlled Torq-King automatic transmission with five forward gears and tow/haul mode. Both rear two-wheel-drive (2WD) and four-wheel-drive (4WD) traction systems are available, along with a factory-applied sprayed bedliner. Titan divides into cab configurations of King Cab and Crew Cab. The new PRO-4X off-road grade adds Rancho shocks, additional skid plates, an electronic locking rear differential and a lower final gear ratio.
Nissan's Frontier returns with two powertrains and four trims -- entry XE, upgraded SE, sporty NISMO (Nissan Motorsports) and plush LE. Two cab styles split into King Cab and Crew Cab formats and both offer 2WD or 4WD traction. Most models pull from a dual-cam 4.0-liter V6 tuned to 261 hp through a five-speed automatic transmission or six-speed manual. However, the base Frontier King Cab uses a twin-cam 2.5-liter in-line-four rated at 152 hp. The Frontier Long Bed edition totes a truck bed stretched for 13 inches longer than the standard bed length.
Vehicles conformed as wagons for the Nissan line of 2008 include six nameplates. There are truck-based SUVs in three sizes with king-size Armada, mid-size Pathfinder and the compact-class Xterra. Nissan's people-hauling minivan in a stylish design is called Quest, while there are now two crossover utility vehicles (CUV) with mid-size Murano and a new compact-class entry -- Rogue.
The big idea behind Nissan's full-size SUV the Armada is vast room in a huge vehicle with overwhelming power. The cabin has three rows of seats with fold-flat benches on tiers two and three or optional captain's chairs in the second row. Armada rides on a platform derived from the full-size Titan truck and uses Titan's dual-cam 5.6-liter V8, now pumping 317 hp. Nissan outfits Armada with two-wheel-drive (2WD) or four-wheel-drive (4WD) traction. New styling inside and out includes 20-inch wheels, revised instruments, new equipment packages (Driver, Premium, Preferred, Tow), and available power controls to fold the third-row bench.
Nissan's Pathfinder mid-size SUV has a five-door passenger compartment with room in the rear for a standard third-row seat that folds into the cargo floor when not needed for riders. Seats on the second row split 40/20/40 and also fold, as does the seatback of the front right bucket. For 2008 Pathfinder scores a big V8 -- the optional 5.6-liter plant produces 310 hp. Base powertrain is a 4.0-liter V6 with 266 hp through a five-speed electronically controlled automatic. Fresh styling points fore and aft mark 2008 models, which bring choices for 2WD traction or a 4WD system.
Nissan's XTerra compact-class wagon works as a pure SUV that's part cushy transportation and part tool box for hauling lifestyle sports paraphernalia like mountain bikes, gear for camping or rock climbing, skis or kayaks. Platform and powertrain come from the Frontier pickup with 2WD traction or a part-time 4WD device with 2WD/4WD-high/4WD-low modes. A 4.0-liter V6 achieves 261 hp with a six-speed manual shifter or five-speed electronic automatic. Xterra X is the base grade. Xterra S stocks preferred equipment, Xterra OR (for Off-Road) brings traction choices, while SE is the top trim toting a Rockford Fosgate audio kit.
Nissan's Quest minivan has the longest wheelbase among front-wheel drive (FWD) minivans to make considerable room for three rows of seats. Cabin revisions in 2007 included upgraded features as well as resetting dashboard instruments directly ahead of the driver. On Quest 2008 the second-row buckets and third-row bench flip and fold to form a flat floor for hauling more cargo and sliding side doors are the widest in segment, while the optional Skyview roof adds multiple glass roof panels. Power flows from a dual-cam 3.5-liter V6 with 240 hp through a five-speed automatic. Curtain-style air bags are standard equipment.
Nissan's fun-to-drive Murano crossover wagon rides on the FWD chassis of a car with high-tech hardware aboard like vehicle dynamic control (VDC) with traction control system (TCS) and Nissan's all-wheel-drive (AWD) equipment. Powertrain is a dual-cam 3.5-liter V6, which delivers 240 hp through the Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT). Murano's cabin pitches a pair of bolstered buckets in front flanking a large console with covered recesses to stow gear as large as a purse or laptop computer. On the second row a bench for two will hold three. A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) goes to all issues.
Nissan's new compact-size Rogue CUV rides on a FWD platform of the Sentra sedan. Rogue brings a powerful engine and responsive handling traits like a sporty car, but the spacious cabin has a driver-oriented cockpit with seats for five plus stow space in the cargo bay. Both FWD and AWD traction configurations are offered for trims of Rogue S and SL. Powertrain is Nissan's 2.5-liter four-pack developing 170 hp with the Xtronic CVT. Curtain-style air bags and the VDC anti-skid device are stock safety items on Rogue, and paddle shifters on the steering wheel are available.
