AUTO SPIES WORLD EXCLUSIVE: First shots of the next Altima?

Dear 001,

I have concluded the car I photographed is one of two possible cars. It is either a 2007 Altima utilizing the "Teana" shell from the Australian model Altima(http://www.nissan.com.au/maxima/ ) during testing. Or second, they are developing a new model for the U.S. based upon the Teana.

The car was only left alone for a brief moment while its test driver ran into a store to grab a snack. During that time I took the two pictures and was preparing a shot of the interior when he returned and prevented me from doing so.

Needless to say he wasn't to happy, and asked me not to take any more pictures. The rear of the car was not badged at all. What tipped me off that it was a Nissan was that although the Nissan badge had been removed from the front of the car, the outline of the Nissan logo still was still present in the molded grill. The interior of the vehicle has been converted to left-side drive and is extremely similar to the Maxima, therefore confirming in my mind that it was in fact a Nissan product.

The pictures were shot from a camera phone and are of less than 1 megapixel resolution.

Happy holidays,

T. Bray

Excelero - 12/27/2005 4:53:44 AM

+1 Boost

I really like the Toyota, it is not available in Germany, so it would be a special here, but the back looks like a cheap copy from MB.

Excelero - 12/27/2005 4:55:07 AM

+1 Boost

Did I write Toyota, I meant Nissan...sry

JUGNU - 12/27/2005 5:44:58 AM

+1 Boost

The back looks like that of Murano's.

But this is totally ugly, can't be the next sexy Altima.100%

But maybe the new sunny/almera if at all it is going to appear after 2006 or the crap primera.

I think Nissan is again going in the wrong design direction after creating some beauties like Murano,350Z,altima,whole Infiniti...etc

I think they should not bring up this car,if at all then it should be priced lower than $10K.

Not impressive,not good work....Nissan

Jugnu

JUGNU - 12/27/2005 5:44:58 AM

+1 Boost

Matthew1 - 12/27/2005 11:27:56 PM

+1 Boost

It's an Australian-model Maxima. It has been on the market Down Under for a couple of years now, and it is a pretty rubbish car.

I'm surprised the CARMAN JUGNU didn't already know that.

JUGNU - 12/28/2005 7:30:59 AM

+1 Boost

Hahah hahaha hahahahahaha

keep trying.

Everbody knows your ignorance and hatred towards japaneese cars and also your car's knowledge.
leave it...u can't

U better don't open your mouth.

Again Australian Maxima....... hahah hahaha hahahahahaa

foolish guy

JUGNU

JUGNU - 12/28/2005 7:30:59 AM

+1 Boost

dogbowl - 12/29/2005 9:42:01 PM

+1 Boost

Yes, it is the Nissan Maxima from here in Oz. Has been on our market for a couple of years, has good reviews but is not an enthusiast machine.

Last year a car that I thought was our Maxima was being photographed in my native Melbourne outside our Parliament, and I took some scoop shots. It was the update to this car, badged as a Samsung. Turns out that Nissan share this car in the South Korean market, so it may also be a Samsung.

adambravo - 12/29/2005 9:54:22 PM

+1 Boost

1. As several folks have pointed out, there is no Altima in Australia--just the Teana, badged Maxima.
2. I doubt Nissan would bring a two or three-year-old design to the US in one of their highest volume market segments.
3. The Teana is just about as large as a Maxima, and so selling it in the US would make the more expensive and more profitable Maxima redundant--hence, an illogical deduction.
4. Since there are no obvious incongruities (e.g. odd wheel placement, taped-over seams), the theory that they've 'dropped' a Teana bodyshell on a new Altima is pointless.
5. Better guess? Nissan used to sell the Maxima in Europe, but stopped; they may be re-evaluating that strategy by sending the Teana there instead.

dotuno - 12/29/2005 11:16:46 PM

+1 Boost

One of these days, some carmaker will make wide-eyed headlamps that will reach all throught the hood to the windshield :))

PS: Does anyone else notice BMW's trunk design? That's yet another direct/ indirect imitation. Personally, I think it's an aggressive, firm, and practical design scheme. Never understood what's hated about it and still wish the 3er had it.