Nissan North America has announced plans to introduce two new “performance vehicles” at the Los Angeles Auto Show, November 29th, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
All-new for 2007, the Nissan Sentra will once again have SE-R high performance models; both SE-R and SE-R Spec V. The SE-R Spec V model will be powered by a specifically designed high-output version of Nissan’s 2.5-liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine. Additional information on the SE-R with be announced at the LA Auto Show on November 29th.
Nissan will also showcase a “uniquely styled, exhilarating performance-oriented vehicle,” the company said. It will mark Nissan’s entry into a “previously untapped customer segment.” We suspect the vehicle may be the recently-spied Nissan Altima coupe (pictured).
11/07, 11:50 AM
posted by:
A4
how about they show us a damn production version of the GT-R already
im glad they finally have an altima coupe in the works, and the new sentra looks to be the best car in its segment out there right now
11/07, 11:58 AM
posted by:
johnnyw
Maybe the SE-R can convince Honda to bring the Si over? The host sub-compact has never been hotter, funny they didnt introduce it at SEMA.
I’m curious to see what the Altima coupe will be like. A Nissan G35? Or a G6?
11/07, 12:03 PM
posted by:
A4
we have the Si… whatre you talking about
11/07, 12:33 PM
posted by:
Brendino
GT-R and Altima coupe makes sense.
11/07, 1:45 PM
posted by:
johnnyw
I meant the type-r
11/07, 2:23 PM
posted by:
sampson
It will mark Nissan’s entry into a “previously untapped customer segment.”
okay this is a vague comment.
does this mean a segment untapped by anyone else, or a segment just untapped by Nissan?
Hopefully untapped by anyone else and Nissan brings something new and different to the table…
Maybe this car isn’t the FWD sports coupe we think it is…
11/07, 3:43 PM
posted by:
Hyperion
“previously untapped customer segment”
An intelligent use of that phrase by Nissan’s marketers SHOULD suggest something along the lines of another rear drive sports vehicle in a lower price bracket.
A dumb use of that phrase would mean just another variant of the Altima.
Sorry… I’ve got very little patience with Nissan when they know what the obvious reaction to that statement will be from their enthusiast core.
11/07, 6:02 PM
posted by:
specialk1098
the type-r civic isnt much different than the si all it is really is a 3-door hatchback version
11/07, 7:20 PM
posted by:
sampson
Hyperion…
exactly… we need a RWD car in a lower price bracket
11/07, 11:48 PM
posted by:
Veda
This would go head to head with Solara and the Accord coupe. More competition, the better.
11/07, 11:53 PM
posted by:
VDuv Kux Klan
I dont care about ugly ass nissans
11/08, 2:45 AM
posted by:
autonutt
Why would the Sentra SE-R 4-door sedan convince Honda to bring the Civic Type R 3-door hatchback to the US? That makes no sense at all.
11/08, 2:46 AM
posted by:
autonutt
And why would the Altima coupe be like either a Nissan (Infiniti) G35 or Pontiac G6? What it will be like is an Altima with two less doors.
11/08, 11:28 AM
posted by:
The Stig
Goofy nomenclature.
11/08, 11:39 AM
posted by:
gitcypher
The new 4WD 3 Door Altima Wagon Crossover SE-R 8 speed… with paddle shifters
Yesssssss!
11/08, 4:28 PM
posted by:
A4
autonutt.. it looks like a FWD G35, and the G6 is just a G6 sedan with two less doors… so that sounds pretty accurate to me as a comparison
11/08, 5:30 PM
posted by:
InvisibleEcho
Hopefully, since there is 0.00% chance of the Sentra being RWD or AWD anytime soon, they will work into the SE-R Spec V version the same adjustments I read they made in the new Altima – equal length shafts, even leveled, maybe even slightly bigger wheels/tires, more effective limited slip diff. I don’t mind understeer that much in a car like this (I don’t plan to autocross or anything) but I hate torque steer. There’s plenty of torque steer in the current generation Sentra SE-R, and putting more HP and torque to the front wheels isn’t gonna help it any. Plus, they’d need to do a sizeable HP increase to compete with the Mazdaspeed3, Caliber SRT-4, VW GTI, and even the Civic Si.
11/08, 7:18 PM
posted by:
A4
i cant wait to see the Caliber SRT-4 go up against the Mazdaspeed3… its going to be quite a tussle
11/09, 6:38 PM
posted by:
LamborghiniZ
I feel like the Mazdaspeed3 has had more engineering devoted to its cause, though I respect the Caliber for its 300 horsepower, I’m impessed that a) You can obtain power like that at such a low price, and b) They squeezed 300 horeses out of that 4-cylinder.
Regardless my vote goes w/ the Mazdaspeed3, I’ve only heard GREAT things
11/10, 2:55 AM
posted by:
nowei
I’m casting my vote for a cheap FR roadster that will compete with the Miata. I’m basing this off of the Urge Concept they showed a while back. I doubt it’ll be the same car, but I just remember hearing that Nissan was very surprised when their market research showed them that young car buyers are most interested in cost and performance. Go figure.
Anyway, that would pretty much be an untapped market for Nissan, or anyone for that matter, as the Miata is pretty much unopposed in the affordable roadster market. And, if Nissan can bring even a smidgen of practicality to the table then they could walk away with a good chunk of young car buyers.
/no