Altima SE-R debuts with 260hp

[Buick61]

Nissan Promises SE-Rious Performance For 2005 Altima
September 14, 2004


Motor Trend


Nissan strives to take its "high performance - high value" SE-R philosophy to the next level in 2005 with the addition of a new Altima SE-R.

The Altima SE-R builds on the redesigned 2005 3.5-liter V-6-equipped Altima, adding 10 additional horsepower (for a total of 260 hp), forged 18-inch wheels, three-gauge center instrument cluster, aggressive front fascia, rear spoiler, painted brake calipers, high-flow mufflers, large diameter chrome dual exhaust finishers, and black leather-appointed sport seats.

The Altima SE-R, set to arrive at Nissan dealers nationwide September 22, joins the currently available Sentra SE-R and Sentra SE-R Spec V lineup and will offer a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $29,200.






Article

[Buick61]

Anybody else think it is a bit overpriced?

The top of the line supercharged Grand Prix Comp-G starts at $28,330 before incentives. And it's more than just a bigger engine and appearance upgrades; the GP has all sorts of substantive tweaks.

I do find it interesting that the larger 3.8L V6 in the Pontiac has to be supercharged in order to match the horsepower output of the 3.5L in the Altima.

[Darc Requiem]

Yes I do think it overpriced and yes I do think its sad that Pontiac has to supercharge a higher displacement engine to get the same power output. Well the new 3900 should be able to equal the 3.5 from Nissan and despite its slightly larger displacement its smaller and lighter because its OHV

Darc Requiem

[Askani]

Remember that the SC3800 could well be above 300 Hp, but there is no way the tranny is going to be able to handle the torque during the warranty period. Even with the 270Hp version, the shifts have been softened in order to spare the tranny. You compare this with the original 240Hp 3800 that a a sport shift function and there is a considerable difference...

[paul8488]

Originally posted by Darc Requiem@Sep 15 2004, 01:16 PM
Well the new 3900 should be able to equal the 3.5 from Nissan and despite its slightly larger displacement its smaller and lighter because its OHV

I rarely chime in to support horsepower wars, but I think this Altima will steal a bit of G6 GXP (or GTP or whatever) thunder. 20 ponies short from the get-go, assuming the 3.9 stays at 240 hp. Also, the Altima has a 5-speed mated to the 3.5L, so I might assume that it'll be offered with the 3.5L... I have less faith that a 6-speed will be offered with the G6 GXP. Has anyone ever seen proof? Telling me "it definitely will have a 6-speed" doesn't really count!

[oldsmaniac]

Also, what is upsetting to me is that, at least by what I've heard, the G6 GXP will be more expensive than the Nissan. The fully loaded GT's that Oprah gave away were $28K so that makes me think that the GXP will at least hit $30K or more.

[pontiac is for me]

I do find it interesting that the larger 3.8L V6 in the Pontiac has to be supercharged in order to match the horsepower output of the 3.5L in the Altima.

Nissans generally have a very poor quality record. That overworked, over-revving dual overhead cam 3.5 will probably have more maintenance issues over time than the supercharged OHV 3.8 in the Pontiac, which is basically bulletproof. And besides, the Pontiac has 280 ft. lbs. of supercharged torque and paddle shifters. WAY more fun than the Altima, I'll bet. And it's WAY more affordable (after incentives), and probably has more features, from Onstar on down.

[gmsickofan]

And they didn't have to wait 5 years for this engine to be released?

[Buick61]

Originally posted by pontiac is for me@Sep 15 2004, 09:48 AM

Nissans generally have a very poor quality record. That overworked, over-revving dual overhead cam 3.5 will probably have more maintenance issues over time than the supercharged OHV 3.8 in the Pontiac, which is basically bulletproof. And besides, the Pontiac has 280 ft. lbs. of supercharged torque and paddle shifters. WAY more fun than the Altima, I'll bet. And it's WAY more affordable (after incentives), and probably has more features, from Onstar on down.

Well, the non-SE-R has 250 lb-ft this year, which isn't bad. The GP has 280. So, we'll have to wait and see if the torque was bumped up on the SE-R version. But the Grand Prix is a larger car, so I'm thinking that weight would be a hinderance vs. the Altima in the handling arena, but that's just speculation.


And so what if the s/c 3800 has the potential to make over 300 hp, as stated earlier? Lots of engines can make more than they do, but are kept lower for reliablity, economy, and other reasons. Potential doesn't mean anything--if I can't buy it, it's of no use to me.

And, as someone pointed out, the Altima competes in the size/price class of the Malibu and G6 mainly--not the Grand Prix. It would be up to the G6 to match the Altima, and the regular 3.5L Altima for '05 makes 250 h.p. When the G6 GTP comes out for '06, it'll be already starting with 10 fewer ponies (and Nissan could very well up their power by that time).

The SE-R is pricey, and not worth the extra do, IMHO. But the regular V6 Altima is well ahead of the G6 GT and already ahead of the forthcoming G6 GTP. Hopefully Pontiac ups the output before introduction if it wants people to take all this "Action" talk more seriously.

[gmsickofan]

Am I the only one who thinks GM's cars should be blowing the doors off of Nissans in this class?

What happened to all of those powerful GM engines of the 60's?

[BRMike]

I'm surprised it's priced so close to the G35.

[Askani]

Originally posted by gmsickofan@Sep 15 2004, 02:24 PM
Am I the only one who thinks GM's cars should be blowing the doors off of Nissans in this class?

What happened to all of those powerful GM engines of the 60's?

what happenned???

Little things like

- crappy unleaded gas
- lower compression ratios
- fuel economy issues
- emmisions
Not to mention the change in how they read horsepower (it always amazes me when people don't know this, no offense to anyone).

Plus, when all your cars are RWD with very similar frame structures it is easy to swap engines from one model to another (i.e. big @ss V8's). See how long it would take to drop a Ls1 into a grand-am...

[Beau Tie]

Originally posted by Buick61@Sep 15 2004, 02:04 PM
But the regular V6 Altima is well ahead of the G6 GT and already ahead of the forthcoming G6 GTP. Hopefully Pontiac ups the output before introduction if it wants people to take all this "Action" talk more seriously.

I hope you can't be serious with that comment. The G6 out does the Altima in EVERY scenario. And the GXP isn't even out yet, and there are NO solid numbers on it's horsepower.

[yoblues]

2005 Mustang GT 300HP RWD V-8 -- under 25K. Nothing more needs to be said.

[Buick61]

(Beau Tie @ Sep 15 2004, 10:43 AM
I hope you can't be serious with that comment. The G6 out does the Altima in EVERY scenario. And the GXP isn't even out yet, and there are NO solid numbers on it's horsepower.

I'm talking about horsepower. I consider a 50 horsepower edge a significant lead. And 240 hp is what the 3900 equipped GTP (GXP isn't even on the radar, and was not what I was talking about) is supposed to make. I did mention that Pontiac should/may up that in the face of hotter competition.


And what scenerios are you talking about? "Every scenerio" is a big claim (especially given that at least two areas---engine and transmission--show that the opposite is true: less power and one less speed). We'll have to wait until some formal comparisons are done, but I'm sure both cars have strengths and weaknesses in relation to each other.