Nissan Altima has NASA onboard

The Nissan Altima was revealed this week at the New York Auto Show, and will go on sale in Australia in the second half of 2013. 

Before that it will be seen on Australian racetracks as Nissan’s challenger to the dominant Holden and Ford V8s. Nissan is still firming up local specification, but we can expect the 136kW 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine in a range of models with a starting price under $30,000.

A 200kW V6 model may also be offered as a sporting variant to capitalise on Nissan’s V8 supercar participation. But not even the race-car will be as advanced as its road-going sibling. The American version revealed in New York includes the following among its technology highlights:

- Seats designed by NASA, that are said to reduce fatigue on long trips and relieve pressure points on the occupant’s body no matter what shape or size.

- An ‘Advanced Drive-Assist Display’ 3D-effect digital screen located between the speedo and tacho that puts key information in front of the driver and is said to improve cognition and reduce distraction.

- NissanConnect which integrates with Internet music service Pandora, offers handsfree text messaging, and voice-controlled, Google-enhanced satellite navigation.

- Tyre pressure monitoring system with ‘Easy-Fill Alert’ that does away with the need to trust dodgy petrol station gauges because it honks the horn when the correct pressure is reached during refilling.

In addition to these features, the new Altima has a reversing camera that integrates lane departure warning, blind-spot warning and moving object warning systems, some of which are not currently offered on medium cars in Australia.

Questions remain as to whether any or all of these features will be available on Australian models, Nissan saying it comes down to infrastructure support and Australian Design Regulations as much as customer demand.