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Claudia Hommel
Cabaret Singer
Extraordinaire
Cordell Koland
Car Writer
Weekly Reviews
 2006 Nissan Altima SE-R by Cordell Koland The Nissan Altima SE-R is the cure for the boring mid-size family sedan. With a price tag that just hits the $30,000 mark, the SE-R is a high-performance sedan with a sterling engine and lots of the goodies usually associated with the luxury market. Its only real competitor is the new-for-2006 MazdaSpeed6. The SE-R's 3.5-liter V-6 is a member of Nissan's highly acclaimed VQ engine family that develops 260 horsepower. VQ engines are noted for smoothness, power and efficiency through reduced internal reciprocating mass that keeps vibration in check. Crank journals and cam lobes are micro-finished and pistons molybdenum-coated to minimize friction. The result is an engine that combines both refinement and gutsy responsiveness right up to the red line. Given the fact that the SE-R weighs in at around 3,300 lbs, the power-to-weight ratio delivers excellent performance The test car was equipped with the six-speed manual transmission, which was flawless in use and wrings out the last drop of performance from the engine. Oversized brakes aided by electronic brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist enhance stopping power. These relatively new electronic systems combine to maintain straight-line braking under all conditions, including panic stops. Nissan includes traction control in the SE-R as standard equipment. This technology eliminates wheel spin when starting on slick pavement. To prevent high-speed skids, I would also like to have seen yaw control added to the SE-R package given the car's performance potential. Handling is an important part of the feature set for a sports sedan, even a budget member of the breed. The Altima SE-R delivers with performance-tuned calibrated front struts and rear shocks, stiffer front and rear springs and thicker front and rear stabilizer bars. The rear multi-link independent suspension separates the rear shocks and springs for reduced friction and the shocks are in line with the centers of the rear wheels, providing better damping and less harshness. For a performance sedan, the SE-R offers a firm, but acceptable ride. The SE-R handles very well. I found the car's grip and feedback to be excellent. It is easy to position the car when setting up for a high-speed curve. And the suspension offers the flexibility to make adjustments without compromise to vehicle dynamics. In other words, it goes where you want, when you want. The only real downside to the SE-R was excessive road noise, which seems largely generated by the wide tires, which deliver a plink-plink sound whenever one hits an expansion joint on the road surface and a constant whoosh generated by highway contact at speed. Wind noise and mechanical sounds, however, are pretty well damped. The SE-R comes in a limited color palate, but the Code Red hue seems to convey the right message. The SE-R sports visual cues that indicate it is ready for action. It features a sporty lowered front fascia, smoked taillights, rear spoiler, and high-flow mufflers with large-diameter chrome, dual exhausts. Night vision is enhanced by standard high-intensity xenon headlights with unique bezel color treatment. The side view reveals lower sill spoilers and forged 18-inch wheels finished in a titanium gray color with grippy 225/45R18 Y-speed rated tires. The large visible brake calipers peek through the latticework of the wheels and are silver- colored with the SE-R logo on the front calipers. Black leather-appointed sport seats set off the SE-R's interior, which features a three-pod center-mounted gauge cluster with specific dials for the voltmeter, oil pressure and fuel consumption. Other enhancements include sport-shaped front seats and headrests with perforated red or gray leather-appointed inserts and matching stitching on the seats, and drilled aluminum pedals. The front seats are also heated, as are the outside mirrors. In terms of the interior room, the Altima SE-R feels almost cavernous for its segment. The cabin feels very roomy and the back seats will work for all but the largest adults. Vehicle:
Nissan Altima SE-R
Price as tested: $30,290 Engine: Type: 3.5-liter V-6 Horsepower: 260 @ 6,000 rpm Torque: 251 lbs.-ft. @ 3,600 rpm Fuel economy, manual transmission City 20 mpg Highway 38 mpg Curb Weight: 3,279 lbs. Cordell Koland is an automotive journalist based in California's central coast. He can be reached at cordellkoland@oakparkjournal.com |
