Things got out of hand at Nissan, which had dreamed of becoming the world’s fifth largest automotive giant by merging with Honda. First, the merger turned into a crisis and was cancelled. Now the company is looking for a solution with its new sedan model.
Nissan’s USAMichiganA camouflaged sedan prototype was spotted by spy photographers near its headquarters in , sparking rumors that the brand is working on a new model in the sedan segment.
ALTIMA OR SENTRA?
The dimensions and design details of the prototype shown suggest that this could be a new-generation Altima. The vehicle’s profile is similar to the current Altima; especially the lines that start from the front fenders and extend to the rear trunk lid are striking. The glass design on the C-pillar also reflects the characteristic features of the Altima.
NEW DESIGN LANGUAGE AND FEATURES
The front of the prototype features design cues inspired by the new Murano, with smaller headlights and a slim front grille suggesting a move away from Nissan’s V-Motion design language, while the rear has a clear view of the exhaust system, confirming that the car has an internal combustion engine.NISSAN’S SEDAN STRATEGYThe Altima is set to be Nissan’s second-best-selling model by 2024. As such, the brand’s commitment to the sedan segment remains. It’s not yet clear whether the new model will retain the current 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine or offer a hybrid option.
WILL THE NEW SEDAN BE A SOLUTION TO THE CRISIS?
This prototype that was spotted shows that Nissan is determined to maintain its competitive stance in the sedan market. However,HondaIt is a matter of great curiosity whether Nissan, whose merger with Nissan fell through, will be able to overcome the financial crisis it is experiencing with this sedan model.