2007 Nissan Altima

Prior To the new Altima's unveiling at the New York auto show, Nissan gave us an early peek, along with drives in two preproduction mules. Our initial impressions? The 2007 Altima not only has the looks but also the goods to deliver on Nissan's ambitions to spank the Altima's fiercest rivals: the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

The 2007 Altima doesn't appear dramatically different from the 2006 model; Nissan's designers took an evolutionary rather than revolutionary approach. Still, there are significant alterations to prompt more than a few ganders from passersby. Up front, Z-like vertical headlamp lenses flank Nissan's new corporate "T" grille, giving the Altima a more refined face, while in back the new car integrates larger taillamps that flow upward into the rear-quarter panels; it's a decidedly fresh-looking caboose. In profile, the 2007 appears similar to the 2006, sporting the familiar arcing contour. Nonetheless, the overhaul is notable and effective, aided by a body shrunk 2.5 inches in length and a wheelbase tightened 0.9 inch to 109.3.

It's underneath the skin where Nissan went revolutionary, evidenced by the all-new, large front-drive "D" platform, which offers a 60-percent improvement in bending rigidity as well as a solid foundation for the new front strut suspension and revised multilink rear setup. Moreover, by lowering the engine mount position by 30 mm, implementing a new speed-sensitive power-steering system, and making the halfshafts equal angle and more parallel to the ground, Nissan claims the Altima suffers from virtually zero torque steer.

Both engines for 2007 are carryover, though Nissan describes the V-6--upgraded to roughly 260 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque--as "next generation" and the I-4, improved to around 180 horses and 185 pound-feet, as "enhanced." A six-speed manual will be available with both engines, but the big news is a pair of continuously variable transmissions replacing the old four- and five-speed automatics. Fitted with all-new processors with adaptive logic, the CVTs, according to Nissan, deliver smoother and sportier response than traditional automatics as well as better fuel economy. On our brief drive, the CVTs' "step" quality appeared seamless and ultraquick, the engines refined and robust, and the steering responsive and devoid of noticeable wheel tugging.