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2009 Vehicle Model Guide

2009 NISSAN NEW CAR MODEL GUIDE

NissanNissan expands its collection of cars for the Class of 2009 with the introduction of a new GT-R two-door sports coupe, which marks the fifth generation of designs for the legendary Nissan supercar. Returning is another sports car — 350Z, and the four-door sedans from Nissan repeat in three sizes with mid-size Altima, compact Sentra and subcompact Versa. Further, Nissan rolls out a new generational treatment of the flagship Maxima sedan and adds a gas-electric hybrid option for Altima, as well as a two-door coupe variation.


2009 Nissan AltimaAltima Sedan
Nissan's mid-size sedan rides on a rigid platform and offers a V6 upgrade. Engines include a 2.5-liter in-line-four pumping 165 hp or a 3.5-liter V6 for 265 hp. A six-speed manual transmission works for the V6, but both plants list the Xtronic CVT (continuously variable transmission). Altima's cabin, with front bucket seats and a rear bench for three, is a plush space with chrome accents on dash and doors plus Fine Vision Gauge instruments and standard Intelligent Key with pushbutton ignition. Anti-skid vehicle dynamic control (VDC) hardware is standard for 2009 on Altima 3.5 SE.

2009 Nissan Altima HybridAltima Sedan Hybrid
A state-of-the-art hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain drops into the Altima mid-size sedan to forge the hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). Nissan's hybrid powertrain combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline-fired engine and the Xtronic CVT with an electric motor and generator to boost fuel economy figures and also decrease tailpipe emissions. Total output for the two engines is a net power rating of 198 hp. Altima Hybrid earns EPA fuel economy scores around 35 mpg and it's rated as an Advanced Technology-Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV).

2009 Nissan Altima CoupeAltima Coupe
A sleek two-door coupe variation of the Altima sedan returns to Nissan's Class of 2009. Altima as a coupe gets the wheelbase trimmed as well as the overall length and height as compared to the Altima Sedan. The two engine choices are Nissan's 2.5-liter in-line four-cylinder with 175 hp or the VQ-series 3.5-liter V6 pushing to 270 hp. Transmissions are a six-speed manual with gated shifter or the optional Xtronic CVT. Sporty cabin gear includes Fine Vision Gauges and the Intelligent Key linked to a push-button engine starter. New 18-inch wheels go to the 3.5 SE.

2009 Nissan MaximaMaxima
A dramatic new body marks the new generation of Nissan's four-door flagship sedan. Mounted on the front-wheel-drive (FWD) D platform and loaded with performance gear, new Maxima seems more like a four-door sports car. There are two trims — Maxima 3.5 S and Maxima 3.5 SV. Power stems from the 3.5-liter VQ-series V6 scored to 290 hp through a retuned Xtronic CVT with manual mode. Paddle shifters on the steering column offer hands-on-wheel shift control. Braking works with four-wheel discs tied to ABS and EBD plus standard VDC with a traction control system (TCS).

2009 Nissan SentraSentra
Nissan's compact-size sedan comes in a keen package loaded with features for comfort, practicality and safety. The cockpit adds stylish materials and a double-folding back seat plus rear cargo space exceeding 13 cubic feet. Sentra's powertrain — a 2.0-liter four-cylinder plant making 140 hp — links to a standard six-speed manual transmission or optional Xtronic CVT. Front-row side air bags and curtain-style air bags are aboard all trims, with anti-lock brake system (ABS) and electronic brake force distribution (EBD) as stock issue for Sentra 2.0 S. A new 2.0 SL Premium Package brings a moonroof and heated seats.

2009 Nissan Sentra SE-RSentra SE-R
Special SE-R editions spin off Nissan's sporty compact in two versions, SE-R and SE-R Spec V. Both garner a raucous engine, although more power points apply to Spec V, the performance version. The unique front fascia adds a crisp mesh grille and round foglamps, and body-colored sills stretch toward the pavement along each side. Powering the series is Nissan's QR25DE four-pack that hits 177 for SE-R or 200 hp for Spec V. The latter also has a six-speed manual shifter, larger disc brakes and optional helical limited slip differential.

2009 Nissan VersaVersa
The entry-level small cars from Nissan conform as a three-door hatchback or four-door notchback sedan. Constructed on Nissan's versatile B platform and rendered with emotional styling lines, Versa emphasizes generous cabin space and comfortable accommodations for as many as five passengers. Power flows from a dual-cam 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine which perks with 122 hp and delivers high fuel economy scores. A six-speed manual shifter is standard but Nissan's Xtronic CVT or a four-speed automatic is optional.

2009 Nissan 350Z350Z
Nissan's Z-car conforms as a two-door hatchback coupe or curvy roadster convertible. Each shows knife-edge sharp bodywork and each stocks the VQ35HR V6 engine spiked to 306 hp with manual transmission models. 350Z the roadster splits into three models with the coupe offering five trims including the NISMO 350Z. It wears an aerodynamics package with front fascia and chin spoiler, side skirts, underbody diffuser and a wing on the tail. The NISMO Z also gets Brembo brakes and RAYS lightweight forged-alloy wheels. The next generation in the Z coupe debuts next November at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

2009 Nissan GT-RGT-R
The original GT-R sports car rolled out in 1971 and through successive generations went on to became the iconic Japanese supercar. For 2009 the fifth generation in the GT-R series lands in North America as a street-legal super coupe offered strictly in limited numbers. It rides on the new Premium Midship platform and uses the world's first independent rear transaxle all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. Under the hood, GT-R packs a hand-built 3.8-liter twin turbo V6 pumping 480 hp through a paddle-shifted sequential six-speed dual-clutch rear transaxle. And it's too quick — like zero to 60 under 3.5 seconds.

Detailed Nissan pricing and ownership information.

For more information, visit Nissan cars.