Your Guide to the new Nissan Altima SL

If you are considering buying a sedan, it has been a little easy to overlook the Nissan Altima in the past. However, the new Nissan Altima 2016 range is set to change this, so here is your guide to the Altima SL.

The Global Impact of the Nissan Altima:Although the Nissan Altima has not made much of an impact in Australia, it has been popular around the world. In the U.S alone, 330,000 Altima models were leased or bought last year. This means that in two days, the U.S equals a whole year of Australia Altima sales. In the U.S, the SL variant is available from $28,570 or approximately $A40,500. This is the equivalent of what the Ti variant costs here before discounts. Leasing this model would cost less than $200 each month with an annual limit of 12,000 miles or 19,000 kilometres.

The 2016 Update:The update for the Nissan Altima was revealed last September, three years into the life cycle for the model. This redesign echoes the changes made to the Maxima and Murano on the U.S market, which did not make it to our showrooms. The new model features a more muscular design with revisions to the headlights and grille. There are also new tail lights, bumpers, and a revised boot lid. The aerodynamics have also been improved with underfloor covers and active grille shutters. This creates a more well proportioned and aggressive aesthetic.

Performance Changes:The new Altima also feels quieter as the acoustic glass and sound insulation has been improved. The base engine option is a four cylinder 2.5 litre petrol with variable valve timing. This delivers significantly less power compared to the 3.5 litre V6, with 136 kW compared to 183 kW respectively. This compares to the 127 kW offered with the current Australian version Altima. Via a continuously variable transmission, the torque is diverted to the front wheels. This delivers responsive and linear single speed transmission which means that the Altima is happy to sit all day at 130 kilometres per hour without the revs rising above 2500 rpm. The fuel consumption has also been improved by ten percent, thanks to a new engine compression ratio and aerodynamic tweaks. This means that the SL provides economy of 39 miles per gallon or 7.2 litres per 100 kilometres.

Inside the Cabin:The cabin has also seen a few tweaks with the design update. There is the option of a 7.0 inch touchscreen with NissanConnect satellite navigation and infotainment system. The materials in the cabin have also been revised, to create a more upscale aesthetic with new trim finishes, contact points, and seats.

If you're considering a Nissan Altima for sale, Perth drivers should speak to us. The

Daniel N is a writer across several reputed industrial web posts. He writes for many online journals and portals that are related to Nissan car dealers.