By Nissan
MISSISSAUGA, ON, – The popular Nissan Altima, ranked number one in segment in the 2009 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS), enters the new model year with fresh exterior styling, a refined interior and a host of technology enhancements to its navigation and entertainment systems.

Canadians will get their first look at the 2010 Altima at Nissan’s SHIFT_into gear event at Ontario Place, October 1-4, 2009. Available in three distinct models – Altima Sedan, Altima Coupe and Altima Hybrid – the exciting new 2010s will be available at Nissan dealers nationwide beginning in early November.

Now in its fourth generation, with nearly 3.2 million units sold worldwide, Altima provides a unique combination of exhilarating driving pleasure, distinctive and sporty design and exceptional value in the mid-size sedan and coupe classes. Again in 2010, Altima is available in a variety of well-equipped trim levels designed to appeal to a broad range of buyer needs and budgets, including 175-horsepower 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder and 270-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine-equipped versions.

Among the many changes for 2010 are a restyled front fascia with new grille, new wheel designs, standard Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) on all models, revised interior fabrics and finishers, new exterior colours and revised option packages with more technology than ever before. In addition, the previous Altima 3.5 SE designation has been renamed the 3.5 SR.

Along with the exhilaration provided by the driver-oriented cockpit and high levels of Altima performance, the “entertainment factor” of Altima’s interior has been upgraded with new available premium audio packages that include a Bose(R) AM/FM audio system with nine speakers, 4.3-inch colour display, USB port with iPod(R) connectivity, Bluetooth(R) Hands-free Phone System, MP3/WMA CD-ROM playback, XM(R) Satellite Radio (XM(R) subscription required, sold separately) and RearView Monitor.

Also available with Altima Sedan, Coupe and Hybrid models is a next-generation Nissan Hard Drive Navigation System with 6.5-inch VGA colour display (replaces the 4.3-inch display), 9.3GB Music Box for music storage and playback, Bluetooth(R) Streaming Audio, DVD playback and an RCA input for auxiliary audio/video connectivity.