Upgraded Version of Nissan Altima Hybrid

The old Nissan Altima will no longer serve as mid-size sedan as the Japanese automaker will be replacing it with new Altima that uses hybrid powertrain and FWD a.k.a front wheel drive. The new system will be changing the currently using Toyota-based hybrid front-wheel-drive system and scheduled to arrive in 2013.

The system on the Nissan Altima hybrid will not alone as it will be sharing components with RWD from the sibling – 2012 Infiniti M35h. It’s kind of impossible for Nissan to create its own hybrid system for sedan as it will cost them money and the best way is to borrow the system from its branch company – Infiniti. Okay, if the existence of the Altima hybrid sedan is real, will be capable of battling head-to-head with Toyota Prius although they entering the different market share? But both in hybrid form, right?

So, if the Altima hybrid sedan is planning to use some components from Infiniti, it means that the vehicle will be equipped with a dual-clutch, lithium-ion battery pack, and single-motor. The original engine on the M35h is 3.5L V6 which means that Nissan has to trim it down to be 2.5L 4-cylinder mated to the new Xtronic CVT – continuously variable transmission.

No officially confirmation about the Nissan Altima hybrid project as the Japanese automaker still working on the engine and performance, but knowing that they pretty much gain success from the LEAF, we think that the Altima hybrid sedan has big opportunity to shine as well.