2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid Saving Gasoline, Quickly

**Tideland Prius** · 12-28-2007, 01:19 AM

It's no secret that Nissan fast-tracked its entry into the hybrid-electric arena by acquiring key hardware from its more hybrid-experienced competitor, Toyota.

But there's a lot more to a hybrid - especially a full-hybrid such as we're discussing here - than the battery pack and electric motor/generators that the Altima shares with its rival.

The Altima Hybrid uses Nissan's own version of a continuously-variable transmission (CVT). Also its own is the mapping of the electronic controls that mastermind the ever-varying interplay of gas-engine, transmission and electric motor/generators.

And, most significantly, it uses Nissan's own 2.5-litre engine. Nissan prides itself as an "engine company" that delivers best-in-class power wherever it competes. So even though, in Hybrid guise, the QR25DE engine trades some of its power and torque for optimum fuel efficiency, its outputs still significantly exceed those of the Camry's 2.4-litre unit.

The total calculated, combined of the engine and electric motor is 198 horsepower, compared with the Camry Hybrid's 187 (and the regular Altima 2.5's 175).

Full Article

priusenvy · 12-28-2007, 02:16 AM

Road and Track got something like 7.3 seconds 0-60 for the Camry Hybrid. That's plenty fast. That's about as fast as a mid-80s Ferrari 308. No family sedan needs to apologize for a 0-60 time in the mid-sevens and a quarter mile in under sixteen seconds.

**Tideland Prius** · 12-28-2007, 09:08 PM

yeah no idea how they did it cause the other mags got around 8 secs. The Camry V6 does it in 6 or 7 seconds. They're very quick (and I don't know why you need to accelerate that fast in a family car)

brad_rules_man · 12-30-2007, 01:05 AM

Check out the advantages of the hybrid drivetrain on the Nissan. It is like strapping on and packing in some electric components, without really scaling down the gas. The MPG gain is very small. I was not impressed at all. It is however, a more refined and better car than the regular vision, but no cigar.

**Tideland Prius** · 12-30-2007, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brad_rules_man

Check out the advantages of the hybrid drivetrain on the Nissan. It is like strapping on and packing in some electric components, without really scaling down the gas. The MPG gain is very small. I was not impressed at all. It is however, a more refined and better car than the regular vision, but no cigar.

I take it you don't like the Camry Hybrid either? It's essentially the same car.

brad_rules_man · 12-31-2007, 10:46 AM

Not really, but they did do a little bit better with the Camry than the Nissan. The real world experiences with the Camry have been better than the Nissan. The Camry is available everywhere, and was completed better. The Nissan is extremely limited, and they just didn't do really well. Of course, it's their first time getting their feet wet, so I think they will do better in the future.

**Tideland Prius** · 12-31-2007, 02:43 PM

I mean Nissan's only selling it in .. 8? states?

THey're selling it in Canada but I've only seen one of them on the road. I don't even think they keep any in stock.

Maybe they don't want to sell Toyota's system (I'm sure Toyota gets royalties for each Altima sold) so it's mostly a marketing thing until they make their own hybrid system.

brad_rules_man · 01-01-2008, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tideland Prius

I mean Nissan's only selling it in .. 8? states?

THey're selling it in Canada but I've only seen one of them on the road. I don't even think they keep any in stock.

Maybe they don't want to sell Toyota's system (I'm sure Toyota gets royalties for each Altima sold) so it's mostly a marketing thing until they make their own hybrid system.

That is exactly right. I think it's the same with every other company. My dad and I were just counting how many hybrids of other brands we've seen. I have seen Honda, NEVER saw a ford hybrid, I saw the escape on tv. lol I have never seen a Nissan, or a lexus though I suppose that may be due to my area.

LaughingMan · 01-01-2008, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brad_rules_man

That is exactly right. I think it's the same with every other company. My dad and I were just counting how many hybrids of other brands we've seen. I have seen Honda, NEVER saw a ford hybrid, I saw the escape on tv. lol I have never seen a Nissan, or a lexus though I suppose that may be due to my area.

It's due to your area. The Prius is by far the most common hybrid to spot on the road these days, but I've seen around my area the cars you've mentioned quite often.

Camrys, Highlanders, Civics, Escapes, and even the Lexus SUV. The Altima does seem like more of a white whale than the rest, and I live in one of the 8 CARB states that Nissan sells that car to.

**Tideland Prius** · 01-01-2008, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brad_rules_man

That is exactly right. I think it's the same with every other company. My dad and I were just counting how many hybrids of other brands we've seen. I have seen Honda, NEVER saw a ford hybrid, I saw the escape on tv. lol I have never seen a Nissan, or a lexus though I suppose that may be due to my area.

Yeah but note that Ford has its own system. It's not Toyota's system.

12-28-2007, 01:19 AM	#1
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,932 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid Saving Gasoline, Quickly It's no secret that Nissan fast-tracked its entry into the hybrid-electric arena by acquiring key hardware from its more hybrid-experienced competitor, Toyota. But there's a lot more to a hybrid - especially a full-hybrid such as we're discussing here - than the battery pack and electric motor/generators that the Altima shares with its rival. The Altima Hybrid uses Nissan's own version of a continuously-variable transmission (CVT). Also its own is the mapping of the electronic controls that mastermind the ever-varying interplay of gas-engine, transmission and electric motor/generators. And, most significantly, it uses Nissan's own 2.5-litre engine. Nissan prides itself as an "engine company" that delivers best-in-class power wherever it competes. So even though, in Hybrid guise, the QR25DE engine trades some of its power and torque for optimum fuel efficiency, its outputs still significantly exceed those of the Camry's 2.4-litre unit. The total calculated, combined of the engine and electric motor is 198 horsepower, compared with the Camry Hybrid's 187 (and the regular Altima 2.5's 175). Full Article __________________ 2005 Tideland Pearl Premium Package as of 25th Oct 2004 VVT-i Emblem, Sport Pedals, OEM All-Weather Mats, Cargo Mat, EV Mod, JDM Prius Interior Footwell Lighting, DICE iPod Integration Kit, LED licence plate lights, Phillips Vision Plus 2008 smart fortwo passion coupé as of 28th Apr 2008 Foglights, dash pods, leather seats, OEM rubber mats, BRABUS alum. handbrake, LED licence plate lights & dome lamp

12-28-2007, 02:16 AM	#2
priusenvy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Silicon Valley, CA Posts: 1,758 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid Saving Gasoline, Quickly Road and Track got something like 7.3 seconds 0-60 for the Camry Hybrid. That's plenty fast. That's about as fast as a mid-80s Ferrari 308. No family sedan needs to apologize for a 0-60 time in the mid-sevens and a quarter mile in under sixteen seconds.

12-28-2007, 09:08 PM	#3
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,932 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	Re: 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid Saving Gasoline, Quickly yeah no idea how they did it cause the other mags got around 8 secs. The Camry V6 does it in 6 or 7 seconds. They're very quick (and I don't know why you need to accelerate that fast in a family car)

12-30-2007, 01:05 AM	#4
brad_rules_man MidwestPine Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Effingham Posts: 128 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #8 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid Saving Gasoline, Quickly Check out the advantages of the hybrid drivetrain on the Nissan. It is like strapping on and packing in some electric components, without really scaling down the gas. The MPG gain is very small. I was not impressed at all. It is however, a more refined and better car than the regular vision, but no cigar.

12-31-2007, 10:46 AM	#6
brad_rules_man MidwestPine Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Effingham Posts: 128 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #8 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid Saving Gasoline, Quickly Not really, but they did do a little bit better with the Camry than the Nissan. The real world experiences with the Camry have been better than the Nissan. The Camry is available everywhere, and was completed better. The Nissan is extremely limited, and they just didn't do really well. Of course, it's their first time getting their feet wet, so I think they will do better in the future.

12-31-2007, 02:43 PM	#7
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,932 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	Re: 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid Saving Gasoline, Quickly I mean Nissan's only selling it in .. 8? states? THey're selling it in Canada but I've only seen one of them on the road. I don't even think they keep any in stock. Maybe they don't want to sell Toyota's system (I'm sure Toyota gets royalties for each Altima sold) so it's mostly a marketing thing until they make their own hybrid system.