Spy Photos: 2013 Nissan Altima

looks like the new versa from the front but the rear looks the same

That thing looks like it's wrapped in a Hefty bag. Geez Nissan, couldn't afford any of the good camo?!

I have a bad feeling about this design. Nissan hasn't produced anything good looking in a few years.

i love that the camo is black tape and trash bags. I see an enlarged Versa as well.

"I have a bad feeling about this design. Nissan hasn't produced anything good looking in a few years."

Nissan styling is hit or miss in my opinion. Even the stuff I don't like I appreciate for being interesting. The current Altima is not interesting, so I'm cautiously optimistic as any change should be an improvement.

The rear look almost exactly the same. Yay!

Doesn't look any smaller than the current model, which surprises me, considering how Nissan cut the size of the Maxima.

And I know it's covered in camo, but something about the way the headlights are angled and spaced far apart that I'm not liking. Hope it translates better without the camo, because the Japs need something to make me believe they can compete with the nice styles coming out of Detroit and Korea lately. Because um, the new Camry just doesn't do it.

I've heard rumors of a 2.0 turbo four in the new Altima??

3.5? HEFTY! HEFTY! HEFTY!

2.5? wimpy, wimpy, wimpy!

Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

And that camo, be it taped up hefty bags or tarpaulin, must've been whistling and rattling like Irene had already made landfall.

I just hope they bring back the coupe version. That is one good looking car!!!

The tail lights look to be similar to the ones on the '11 Murano. I personally think they look cheap.

It looks more like the asian Nissan Teana also available in Australian markets
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2008_Nissan_Teana_01.JPG

or slightly facelift version of it

You all haev better x-ray vision than I do. I can't tell much about the design. But CVT-only will continue to be a deal-breaker for me. I dig the Maxima a whole bunch - just can't stand the golf cart tranny.

Back looks good front is ugly. Nissan hasnt really been that good looking lately other than the Quest.

Hmmmmm.... this thing kinda looks like a scaled down Hyundai Equus with a few bits off a Genesis.

Don't know what exactly this thing will look like but it would be damn sure better looking than that Toyota Refrigerator recently released.

Toyota, Is your refrigerator running?

jaeger1: I didn't really mind the CVT in the Maxima. It works really well, and never left me feeling like power wasn't a toe dip away. The engine sounds take a little getting used to, but I think it's kind of cool that the engine can always operate at the optimum rpm for whatever I ask it to do. So... not a dealbreaker for me.

greenpony - I've tried the CVT in the Maxima and the Altima - it's just not for me. And it seems to me that the bigest letdown is that it doesn't offer any noticeable improvement in throttle response or fuel economy versus a good auto box. And those are two areas where the CVT is supposed to shine, given that you are always (theoretically) at the optimum point of an infinite continuum of gear ratios. So you have to endure the strange disconnect between road speed and engine speed, and in return you get.... what, exactly? Cars that aren't quicker, more responsive or more fuel efficient than other auto-equipped segment competitors, but have a weird transmission.

I had an Altima 3.5SE 6MT. Nissan lost me as a customer because I couldn't get a midsize V6 sedan with anything but a CVT. And now I see that Infiniti is about to introduce it's first CVT-equipped vehicle - one step down a slippery slope, IMO.

Inside Line is the only place where half the post complains about the quality of the camo on a test mule.

And the other half complains about how they think a fully-camo'ed test mule looks.

I personally think the new Maxima looks pretty good, and hope the Altima trends in that direction.

LOL at sniperruff.

Actually I think that describes any internet comment section - complaining about nonsense.

I will be interested in seeing the actualy figures for horsepower and MPG as well. I think Nissan has an incredible opportunity to make it really BIG with the Altima. The Accord has become a full-sized sedan and not very stylish. The Camry is, well, a bit on the softer side. Altima has the opportunity to be cool, fast and family friendly.

@jscion - I hope they make the coupe version too- but I would like the regular wheel version (not the short wheel version). This, after all, is a family car. And if I would like to drive my wife and kids around town, I would the folks in the back seat to be comfortable.

@teleiosgt "Nissan remains The Ford of Imports."

Is that an insult or a compliment? :) I agree with your statement, but honestly I don't see it as being a bad thing necessarily. Yes, Nissan is hit-or-miss with their styling, but Nissan cars are definitely a good alternative to Honda or Toyota, particularly if a buyer is looking to dip their toes in Japanese waters for the first time. I'm not a Nissan fan really, but if I were to buy a Japanese car, I'd certainly give Nissan primary consideration. They're way more dynamic (visually) and their engine lineup (esp. the 3.5) is way more compelling than anything else Japan has to offer. At least Nissan is trying to be different. I'd take the Altima over the Toyota Potato...I mean, Camry...any day of the week.

I love the style of the current Maxima, which, I think, is better than the current Altima. I hope Nissan doesn't mess up the new Altima. I do like the new Infinity M series, but I wish the hybrid would come in an AWD version.

I hope they keep the 6-speed manual in the four-cylinder car. I like the current car, and the stick is even available with the upgrade pkg (at least up here for us Canucks). The cvt-only Maxima became irrelevent and as a result almost disappeared from our roads.

Front end looks like a small fish. After seeing the 2012 Versa, I can bet Altima will be UGLY too.

Good camo... Can't really see too much right now, but it doesn't look radically different. Evolution over revolution?

Looking forward to reading about this car once it launches. I like the way the current one drives, if I wanted a midsize sedan it would be in the top 3. Great steering, fairly quiet, decent power from the 2.5. But I never like the way CVTs feel. This car deserves six forward gears.

I have bad feelings that it won't look good or allow anyone to get a V-6 with standard transmission with the availability of premium options except as a fully-loaded automatic variant... no thanks.

>> "albook says: 04:51 PM, 08/25/11 : I have a bad feeling about this design. Nissan hasn't produced anything good looking in a few years."
........ obviously the man hasn't been reading about much other than fat family sedans, lol .... how about GT-R sir? or 370Z? or the Ellure concept ... all designs produced by Nissan :)

Glad they ditched the boy-racer "Euro" taillights, as they always made the car look ridiculous. I bet they turned off as many potential buyers as they had appeal to others. However, these just look cheap and tiny. They can't be the final version... can they?

@ jaeger1, THAT IS WHAT I WAS SAYING, THEY MUST HAVE X RAY VISION, JUDGING IT AND IT HAS CAMO ALL OVER, IT LOOKS THE SAME HERE IT LOOKS THE SAME THERE, DUMB PEOPLE, ALL I SEE IS A CAMO CAR, WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE THE ENTIRE CAR WITH NO CAMO AND START BITCHING ABOUT THE LOOKS, THAT IS ALL YOU PEOPLE DO, NO LIFE , JUST COME TO A CAR SITE AND BITCH ABOUT THE LOOKS OF A CAR...

What a stunning beauty!!! Perfect from all angles...yes yes that's what I can see through all those plastic bags!!!

Honestly people the current Altima still looks better and more modern that the 2012 Camry, what can I say......

Exactly how can you idiots comment on the car's looks? Please advise. And mocking the camo? Morons.

The word "Jap" is extremely offensive.

With the fuel efficiency race now days...I don't see anything fun happening with this car. I am however waiting the magic 40mpg boast of the car...nothing else it can do will surprise me. CVT??? well I read good in its on right out of any others on the market is still not what I call sporty or desirable.

j84ustin, this is America. Since 9-11 it's okay to show your racism and bigotry. Didn't you know?