Nissan Unveils Redesigned Altima

Nissan Motor Co. is touting its revamped 2013 Altima midsize sedan as lighter and more efficient than its competitors. The car officially debuts this week at the New York auto show.

At 3,100 lbs, the new Altima weighs 79 lbs less than the previous model and is 520 lbs lighter than the smaller Chevrolet Malibu sedan. Among the Altima's weight-saving features are an aluminum exhaust manifold cover and thinner cylinder head walls.

Nissan says new variable intake and exhaust valve timing technology adds 7 hp to the output of the Altima's standard 2.5-liter, 182-hp engine. Yet the company predicts the powertrain will deliver better fuel economy than the 37-mpg rating expected for the Malibu Eco, which is equipped with a mild hybrid powertrain.

The new Altima is more aerodynamic with a drag coefficient of 0.29 compared with 0.31 for the previous model, according to the company. A new deep-draw die process contributes to the car's significantly more sculpted exterior body panels.

Nissan says it redesigned the Altima's continuously variable transmission tor reduce internal friction by about 40%. The CVT's expanded drive ratio enables the engine to run at only 1,500 rpm at 60 mph.

Chassis improvements include a new multilink rear axle that Nissan says combines good compliance with more lateral stiffness for quick steering response. The revised architecture incorporates a new bushing design that achieves the required stiffness without hurting ride quality, according to the company.

Nissan says it will continue to produce the current-generation Altima coupe for a year after the new sedan arrives.