The latest Nissan models for 2008 have more electronics than ever such as iPod connectors and Bluetooth in-car communication systems to sophisticated engine controls.

The 2008 Lexus LS600h L, one of Nissan’s new models, can even observe the face of the driver and then provide an audible alert about an upcoming obstacle in the road that the driver has not been aware of.

Nissan, which operates an assembly plant in Smyrna, is adding a Rogue and a first-ever coupe version of its popular Altima in 2008.

Horsepower keeps going up with the 2008 vehicles, too, though auto engineers say they’re improving fuel economy at the same time.

Several new models, such as the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, include gasoline-electric hybrid powerplants that are more fuel efficient and have lower emissions.

And 2008 promises to bring to U.S. consumers the tiny, odd-looking smart car — yes, the name is all lowercase — boasting more than 40 miles per gallon in combined city/highway travel.

Everywhere, new safety features — particularly head curtain air bags and stability control — are being added and updated. For example, the Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible has standard side, seat-mounted air bags on all versions for the first time.

Nissan will also be adding a Rogue and an Altima coupe, a first ever of its kind.

Debuting in the fall, the Rogue is a five-passenger crossover SUV that’s slightly smaller than the Nissan Murano. With a 170-horsepower, and Nissan parts like the 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine, the Rogue is lower-powered, lighter-weight and more fuel-efficient than the V-6-powered Murano.

Offered with a choice of front-drive or all-wheel-drive, and with a starting retail price expected to be less than the Murano’s more than $28,000, the Rogue fills an important slot in the Nissan lineup.

Meantime, the sporty-looking Altima Coupe likely will boost total Altima sales to a record this calendar year. Every one of the body panels on the two-door coupe is different from those on the Altima sedan.

In fact, the coupe is shorter in height, wheelbase and overall length, though it uses the sedan’s front-drive platform underneath.

The four-passenger coupe also shares the sedan’s engines: a 175-horsepower, 2.5-liter four cylinder and 270-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6. With a starting retail price of more than $21,000, the base coupe is nearly $3,000 pricier than a base, 2008 Altima sedan, however.

Nissan’s Titan full-size pickup truck adds new long-wheelbase models that extend the beds by a foot and a half. There’s also a new Titan Pro-4X off-road grade that includes Rancho shock absorbers.

For the first time in 2008, the long-running Nissan Pathfinder SUV will become available with a V-8 engine. It’s the same 5.6-liter, Endurance V-8 that’s in the Titan, and its 310 horsepower creates the most powerful production Pathfinder in history.

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 13th, 2007 at 5:26 am and is filed under Nissan Altima, Nissan Titan, nissan news. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.