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2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid Saving Gasoline, Quickly

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Tideland Prius, Dec 28, 2007.

  1. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    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
     
  2. priusenvy

    priusenvy Senior Member

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    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.
     
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    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)
     
  4. brad_rules_man

    brad_rules_man Hybrid electric revolutionizer

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    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.
     
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I take it you don't like the Camry Hybrid either? It's essentially the same car.
     
  6. brad_rules_man

    brad_rules_man Hybrid electric revolutionizer

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    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. :)
     
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    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.
     
  8. brad_rules_man

    brad_rules_man Hybrid electric revolutionizer

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    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.
     
  9. LaughingMan

    LaughingMan Active Member

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    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.
     
  10. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Yeah but note that Ford has its own system. It's not Toyota's system.
     
  11. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    Per http://www.hybridcars.com/compacts-sedans/nissan-altima-hybrid.html "According to Ghosn, the introduction of a hybrid Altima is intended to help Nissan comply with fuel economy and emissions standards in states like California, not because he expects the hybrid model to make money or to fulfill any kind of corporate environmental goals. In fact, when the Altima first rolls out, it will be sold only in the eight states certified to meet California emissions requirements: California, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Maine and New Jersey. These states also are among the strongest markets for hybrid vehicles."

    Carlos Ghosn is Nissan's CEO.

    They are getting some parts from Toyota. I saw the Altima hybrid at an auto show and someone took the plastic cover off the inverter and you could see a Toyota label on it (IIRC, there was a compressed bar code and part number too).
     
  12. brad_rules_man

    brad_rules_man Hybrid electric revolutionizer

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    I could have sworn Ford said they worked with Toyota to produce it's hybrid system and also had to pay royalties on it. I could be wrong, and I have seen it, it is not exactly similar.
     
  13. priusenvy

    priusenvy Senior Member

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    Swear all you like, you're still wrong.

    Ford designed their own system, but they either knew or expected that they had infringed on patents held by Toyota, so they entered in an agreement to cross-license some patents (on diesel engine fuel injection technology IIRC) with Toyota. Cross-licensing patents is pretty common when companies don't want to litigate patent infringement cases, and they each have something the other wants.

    Please read the following article and stop propagating misinformation:

    http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/NussbaumOnDesign/archives/2005/11/is_ford_innovat_1.html

    Direct quote from Mary Wright, a Ford employee:

    My guess (and this is speculation) is that Ford paid some cash plus their patents in exchange for licensing Toyota's patents, much like a sports team who wants to acquire a valuable player has to give up some cash when all they have to trade are lesser players.
     
  14. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    He's also responsible for bringing Nissan back into the black so I don't blame him for feeling all mighty. However, his aggressive cost cutting measures are taking a hit (look at the old G35, Altima, Sentra, Maxima, Murano etc). Also note that they were all launched within 3 years of each other. Good initially but when it comes time to replace them, your engineers are gonna be taxed big time (As in workload, not monetary).

    you're right on the royalties bit. they did pay Toyota a bounty so that Toyota won't sue them for similarities.
     
  15. brad_rules_man

    brad_rules_man Hybrid electric revolutionizer

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    Yeah, a simple "you misunderstood, look here" would have worked, I don't think you needed to become so hostile over such a simple thing. Cool down
     
  16. brad_rules_man

    brad_rules_man Hybrid electric revolutionizer

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    Also, I don't normally take offense to things said in a Forum, but from what I have found here it's also sort of a discussion base to be EDUCATED on certain things that are unknown to a person. Therefore the statement:

    "Please read the following article and stop propagating misinformation"

    is one of the most ridiculous things I've read on a forum like this. I did not state it as fact either. Thanks for the information though, as I like to educate myself the best I can.
     
  17. nerfer

    nerfer A young senior member

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    I'm with you man. PriusEnvy is technically correct, but obviously has a bee in his bonnet on this issue (among others) and could've given the information in a much friendlier manner. It is a common misunderstanding however, and I expected some discussion on this when I saw the first post about it.

    About seeing other hybrids, I've seen a Honda Accord Hybrid, HCH, FEH and Lexus 450h, but only because they were parked or directly in front of me in traffic. You can only tell when the cars you mention are hybrids if you can read the badges, unlike the Prius and Insight (which I've also seen).
     
  18. micheal

    micheal I feel pretty, oh so pretty.

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    I've seen HCH, Insight, Prius, HiHy, Lexus 400h, and Vue hybrid (ugh) around here. While traveling I have seen a FEH (in Salt Lake City), HyCam (Stillwater, OK), and a HAH (in OK City).
     
  19. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    We have the hy lexus SUV but you'd never know it is one, by looking. Only the 400h sticker in the back (and slots in the front bumper) readily give it away. Similarly, the Ford hybrid (crossed licensed via Toyota) SUV is not easily noticed. Then there's the Lexus hybrid cars ... some of 'em are pasting more & more hybrid badges on them to let you know/others know. Only the Prius and the no-longer-in-production insight stand out due to their looks.

    Speeking of unavailability, in our area of Montana, you'd have to drive over 100 miles, and / or cross through two states, just to get to a Lexus dealer :D ... fortunately, the 400h is virtually a clone of the hyhi, so we're good to go, locally, if/when ever we need work or service. I took a test drive in the Altima Hybrid, and it's pretty nice imo.
     
  20. brad_rules_man

    brad_rules_man Hybrid electric revolutionizer

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    cool, that's really nice. Glad that you received one, I once drove a long distance for a car I desired, and so has my father. Our choices are sort of limited. However, luckily with Lexus, if you have a toyota dealer nearby then you are in luck.