The Altima has been one of Nissan Motor Co.’s best-selling cars since its introduction in 2001. The second generation, introduced in 2006, strengthened the sedan’s popularity. To broaden its overall appeal, Nissan introduced a hybrid version of the car in January. And now the long-awaited coupe has arrived.

Compared to other coupes, the Altima isn’t just a two-door version of the sedan. Nissan engineers have shortened the wheelbase by 101mm, trimmed the overall length by 185mm and lowered the ride height by 66mm. The modifications gave the coupe a handsome appearance that could turn heads.

How different is the coupe from the sedan? Well, the only sheet metal two-door and four-door Altimas share is the hood. The Coupe has been fitted with a pair of idiosyncratic bucket seats with striking side bolsters for additional lateral support. In the rear, a 60/40 split rear bench expands cargo space. The property is perfect for a weekend of skiing or to have some odds and sods from the store. In addition, a more conventional manual parking brake lever has also been added to the Coupe, replacing the sedan’s foot control.

The other big difference between the models is power. The base car is equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 175 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. This is more than enough to be fun when paired with the six-speed manual. A significant part of the spirited drive is attributed to the transmission’s close ratios and a light, progressive clutch that puts the grip point in just the right place. It makes paddling through the gears an enjoyable experience despite the twisty road surface.

In terms of performance and agility, the new Coupé also has a lot to offer. The suspension is made firmer than the sedan. The steering, meanwhile, is also weighted appropriately and responsive when turned off-center. The biggest difference between the two models is the tires. The 2.5 S comes in P215/60R16 Continental, while the 3.5 SE comes in P215/55R17 Bridgestone.

Other notable Coupe features include Nissan’s headlight bulb, a push-button start, dual-zone climate control, cruise control and heated seats, power mirrors, power windows and sunroof, a six-speaker audio system with a helper plugin. , six airbags and standard anti-lock brakes.

According to critics, the Altima Coupe is going to win a large following, simply because it combines a luxurious interior with good road manners and affordability. The fact that there are shades of the Infiniti G35 coupe in its bold styling only helps the cause. It will also go a long way toward legitimizing the much-maligned CVT.

Nissan recently invited some journalists to test drive some of its new and revised product lines. Aside from the Altima Coupe, Nissan showed off the new long-wheelbase Titan, updated the Pathfinder with a V8, and the quieter Armada.

The way Nissan explains it, there is a need for this vehicle in the market, even if Toyota has decided to drop its Solara model due to declining sales. The company’s main competitors will be the Honda Accord coupe, Pontiac G6 and Hyundai Tiburon, all of which Nissan’s new entry outperforms in all head-to-head price battles with similar equipment.

The automaker hopes the coupe will appeal to women, many of whom will opt for the cheaper 2.5-liter I-4. Nissan also expects the average Coupe buyer to be younger, those not yet ready to dive into the more responsible and mature sedan or minivan market. In addition, the Coupe is expected to attract some older customers who might want to exercise their “free spirit” wings when their children start to leave the house.