So now, it's only on the 2.5-litre 4-cyl. engine?

LOL!

The way this (multiple?!) theory is going, we will soon see a "made for TV" adaptation.

 

LOL...seriously.

Geez, is it this hard to get straight answers from Nissan like this? Kostya's right...Nissan is caught in their own lies, and is lying inconsistently...hahaha

Latest Theory

I'm beginning to suspect that the V6 in the Altima DOES have BOTH the variable intake manifold and the variable capacity muffler, but that Nissan simply isn't advertising it and then underrating the engine a little bit.

I think Nissan engineers finally screamed their butts off loud enough to the retards in marketing that if they advertise the engine with the same stuff as the Maxima engine (variable intake, muffler, etc.) then people (like us) would get smart and figure this sh*t out and see right through the scam. So now Nissan marketing wised up and de-advertised the extra goodies and still continued to underrate power.

This would explain why previous brochures and ads advertised these extra things, and why they're now no longer advertised.

 

That's what I had been saying about 7 post ago....

 

That was my conspiracy theory #3 back on page 2

Argh, so much info, misinfo, and Nissan lies and changed statements to keep track of...overload

 

Hey Stev?....You think Nissan will give us a 6-speed below cost if we keep their secret? I could live with that.

 

Well, if they let me trade-in my 2kSE for 6-spd 2k2SE at no charge...

 

haha, well it would give you the upper hand in sales negotiations.

If it turns out that the Altima really does have 255HP, and the scam goes high-profile, it gets attention, and lots of people find out about it (remember, this is all assuming that the alty really does have 255HP), then dealers will have a very hard time justifying any premiums on the 2k2 Max because of "more power" since there wouldn't be any. And one of the big marketing reasons to buy the Maxima is because of more speed and power. With the illusion dissolved, so will Nissan's sales margins on the Maxima, and some marketing boneheads at Nissan will get fired for sure

...and a lot of people (maybe even myself) will be getting some DAMN good deals on 2k2 Maxima's

 

What premiums? I thought the Alti SE was already selling higher than a simiarly trimmed Max SE.


Besides that, I think you guys are getting carried away. Assuming the Max is .1 Secs slower than the Alti, there are a few things that should be considered before conspiracy theories:

1) Drag. Though the effects at these speeds are small, it is still a factor. I'm not gonna say whether one has a higher coefficient than the other (cuz I don't know these specs), but it should be considered.

2) Stock equipment. Are the tires the same type? The Alti might be getting better traction and thus harder launches because of better tires (again, I'm not sure).

3) The suspension. The Alti's newer suspension could help it to keep the rubber on the blacktop better.

4) And perhaps most importantly: Nissan tells us the HP ratings of these cars, but we won't know how much of that power is actually transferred to the wheel until we can dyno them. It might be the case that even though the Max's engine has a higher HP rating from Nissan (and it is probably true), it is not as efficient at delivering that power to the wheels which would account for the 1 sec. I think this is the most likely case.

5) And lets not forget that these cars were tested by DIFFERENT drivers. So the skill of the driver is NOT to be ruled out when considering these times.

 

Steve, I'd watch your back. You're gonna have Nissan thugs on the lookout for you like you're spreading hidden information. You're a foreign spy!

 

that's exactly what I'm waiting for.. Nissan srews up at their own expense regarding the ratings of the new Alty and Max, an us 2k,2k1 5th geners will get a chance for an awsome price for the 2k2 6sp. Thank goodness for marketing blunders....

 

Steve

Here's a scan of the Altima specs from the brochure.



I cut and pasted the systems from another part of the Nissan site (not from the chart, obviously). Go to Altima: Performance. http://www.nissandriven.com/vehicles...s/0,9443,20828|31005|,00.html It's listed there, as well as the brochure. 1) Variable Intake System, 2) Continuously Variable Valve Timing. The brochure also indicates the 2.5 engine comes with Variable Capacity Exhaust System, while the 3.5 engine does not. The variable capacity exhaust is a dead giveway. There's only one muffler and you could recognize it in seconds. The other 2 systems would require us to get underneath the hood and poke around.

The chart you included seems to conflict with that and my brochure. The brochure even shows the cutaway of the variable intake with butterfly valve. I'll call Nissan on Monday morning to clear this up.

 

Cd. of Drag will not have a great, if some at all, effect 0-60. The Altima tirs are Bridgestone Turanza's similar to the ones equiped on the 2k2 GLE. Your #3 reason is something to take into consideration. The majority of MT performance test is tested by one person, Chris Walton. Times will be more consistant this way.

MT estimated the 0-60mph time. They never said which transmission they tested. I would like to think it was an automatic transmission time. If they did test a 6speed, it is a preproduction model and from what I've read, the shift linkage and action isn't something to write home about. I would like ( Just like ) to think the 6speed Max wouldn't start to lay the smack down until its deep into 3rd gear and into 4th, and 5th gear assuming Cd. of drag are similar. I think 0-60 will be the same on both cars assuming the 6speed wouldn't have to shift into 3rd before 60mph. PaulGXE is right, on the brochure, it clearly states "THE POWER OF AIR Altima's Varialbe Intake System (shown above) ansures plenty of thrust off the line; then as rpm rise, a shorter path opens in the manifold, providing a direct pipeline to Altima's clasing-leading horsepower.* Om ,uch the same way, Continuosly Variable Timing Control presicely modulates when engine valves open and close using factors like throttle psoition and engine rpm. Plenty of low-end torque, impressive power as speed rise."

The Altima does have a variable capacity muffler, but only on the 2.5 models. I've asked this question before. "why do both cars have the same TQ figures but different peak HP at the same RPM?" Some have told me manipulation of the VTC and variable capacity muffler but only dynoes will reveal the truth of who makes more what.

Also, I've been reading on forums, is300.net, Altimas.net, Freshalloy.com and some have said that MotorTrend TV did 0-60 in 5.7seconds on 14.4 1/4mile time. I've never saw this show, but can someone confirm this? I know Motorweek got similar times.

 

A lot of this stuff is a little over my head BUT here's my two cents worth: I was shopping recently and did a test drive on three cars (all automatics--I need a break from mans) Altima 3.5 w/o traction, 3.5 w/traction, and Maxima SE w/o traction (traction requires meridian edition--no need for Hawaii). Anyways, I floored the car from standing on the Altima, the tires squealed for about 2 seconds before I let up a little. I felt the car pulling to one side as it squealed. So we tried the traction controlled Altima on the same on-ramp. It chirped then the traction kicked in and I lost some power (this one's much safer for the normal driver to control). The Maxima's tires squealed too though I didn't feel any pulling to one side and the squealing seemed less out of control. Any thoughts?

 

any updates?

 

Nothing yet. I contacted Nissan Product & Consumer Public Relations. They usually get back to me within 48 hours.