Will there be a "new" 2013 coupe?

[angelbones]

I went to Nissan's site and they're touting the all-new 2013 Altima. They list 4 models--all Sedans. I've read on here that they are going to continue the coupe into 2013 also. So, is the 2013 coupe "all-new" or is it the same as the 2012? I'm getting mixed information.

[wade001]

Personally, I dont think there will be. There have been rumors I heard that the AC will last 5yrs and end, which is at the point we have now. I strongly suspect an end to our car and a new version of the 240sx. Nissan would not answer my questions on the coupe or a new coupe. If there is a continuation of our car I would think it would have been revealed by now !

[2010alticoupe]

I honestly think the 240 is up next. With the fr-s and BRZ out soon, I don't see Nissan not doing anything to compete. Plus it makes sense to go light and small with good mpg. The 2015 law that requires automakers to have their fleet average 35mpg is going to push automakers in this direction. My opinion.

[M90_NACoupe]

Personally I hope they make don't make anymore changes to the AC anytime soon. 3 different body styles in a short 5 years is overkill and damages the value of the original one... mine -_- lol.. But I guess it wouldn't be that bad if they brought on a new 240sx. That is actually long overdue and the new BRZ is OMG. . .

[AlexN09]

I'm pretty sure they officially announced that they planned on keeping the coupe the same for 2013.

[AZhitman]

^ Correct.

Last I heard, the AC would get a minor revamp for 2015.

[wade001]

Personally I hope they make don't make anymore changes to the AC anytime soon. 3 different body styles in a short 5 years is overkill and damages the value of the original one... mine -_- lol.. But I guess it wouldn't be that bad if they brought on a new 240sx. That is actually long overdue and the new BRZ is OMG. . .

+10!!! I honestly think the 08/09 is my fav (besides owning one lol). In some ways I like the newer ones more but overall I love my year bodystyle!

I'm quite sure they will come out with a small RWD sports coupe, if they dont someone seriously needs to get sacked. Nissan is supposed to be the leader in this segment !

[andyhenault]

Personally I hope they make don't make anymore changes to the AC anytime soon. 3 different body styles in a short 5 years is overkill and damages the value of the original one... mine -_- lol.. But I guess it wouldn't be that bad if they brought on a new 240sx. That is actually long overdue and the new BRZ is OMG. . .

+10!!! I honestly think the 08/09 is my fav (besides owning one lol). In some ways I like the newer ones more but overall I love my year bodystyle!

I'm quite sure they will come out with a small RWD sports coupe, if they dont someone seriously needs to get sacked. Nissan is supposed to be the leader in this segment !

They should come out with something, but I doubt they will. For the same reason they won't make the Altima RWD/AWD. That would cut into the Infinity customer base. These things aren't about what makes sense, they're about marketing.

[wade001]

They should come out with something, but I doubt they will. For the same reason they won't make the Altima RWD/AWD. That would cut into the Infinity customer base. These things aren't about what makes sense, they're about marketing.[/quote]

Well, and thats a real crappy marketing idea! Let the other car makers make money on a car you can build as well but wont because it'll interfere with the Infinity line-up?? Sounds stupid to me honestly, money is money, and they will seriously lose out! And people will still buy the infinity even if they did that, two different markets for two different types of customers. I dont think they'r that stupid ! I expect a 240sx version within a year or two most , but by then they will have already lost out on the high "surge" of excitement on this new car category (if you call it that) they could have had ! Look at all the publicity the BRZ and FRS is getting, people are literally getting in line for them and paying premiums!

[SHIFT_COUPE]

I predict 2014 model revision

[wade001]

I predict 2014 model revision

I expect it by 2015 at the latest, otherwise I'm very disappointed in Nissan !

Seriously, why couldn't they have done it from the beginng with our car ? They hit a home run for the most part on how it looks !

[M90_NACoupe]

They should come out with something, but I doubt they will. For the same reason they won't make the Altima RWD/AWD. That would cut into the Infinity customer base. These things aren't about what makes sense, they're about marketing.[/quote]

Yea I seriously, seriously doubt that a RWD four banger for 20 grand would cut into the luxury coupe market that Infinity has its roots in. If it was the case, the 370z would have obliterated the G35 and G37 customer base. There is definitely a need for a modern 240sx if we're talking about marketing. I think Nissan will wait a year or so after the BRZ gets its 5 mins of fame and then jump right in with a car that is pound for pound better.

[wade001]

They should come out with something, but I doubt they will. For the same reason they won't make the Altima RWD/AWD. That would cut into the Infinity customer base. These things aren't about what makes sense, they're about marketing.

Yea I seriously, seriously doubt that a RWD four banger for 20 grand would cut into the luxury coupe market that Infinity has its roots in. If it was the case, the 370z would have obliterated the G35 and G37 customer base. There is definitely a need for a modern 240sx if we're talking about marketing. I think Nissan will wait a year or so after the BRZ gets its 5 mins of fame and then jump right in with a car that is pound for pound better.[/quote]

I agree and hope so !

[RicerX]

They won't make the Altima Coupe RWD because the Altima Sedan is not now nor will ever be on a RWD platform. It is their Accord/Camry fighter (which has now expanded to Accord/Camry/Fusion/Sonata - some very stiff competition) and will always be there as such. FWDs are less costly to maintain for the most part and the average driver does better with a FWD in all driving conditions as opposed to RWD. We won't get into the AWD argument as that kind of drivetrain is much more expensive on all points (cost of production and cost of maintenance). I believe the Fusion is the only one in the segment that offers an AWD platform (or at least they did at one point), and even it isn't very popular.

Bottom line - the sedan's configuration will dictate the coupe's. Unless there are drastic changes in the midsize segment, the Altima will remain as-is - a FWD 4cyl premium economy vehicle with a V6 option (and I will go on a limb and say even that option may soon disappear altogether with the energy crunch going on, and I believe it will be Hyundai to press the competition here with a very successful 4 cylinder configuration that makes V6 power but with better fuel economy.)

The s-chassis revival is a totally different story, however it is feasible and given the success of the BRZ in Japan (they have already sold out for the 2013 model year, I will find the Autoblog article), Nissan will have to compete with something, and it won't be a RWD version of the AC (it is much too large). It will have to be a clean-sheet vehicle that is LIGHT for a ~200hp configuration (~3350 lbs is not light for that, and that's around what the AC weighs).

As far as cutting into the luxury segment - two TOTALLY different markets there. You will not see some 50 year old retired golfer cross-shopping between an Infiniti G and a new 240sx, for the same reason you'll never see an aspiring novice drifter cross-shopping between a new 240sx and an Infiniti G. That will never be an issue for Nissan. It's not really even an issue with the 370 and the G - two totally different cars that happen to share an engine. If you want the raw performance, you go Z (it obliterates the G on a track no matter how you slice it, unless you want less in-cabin road noise in a track environment) - if you want luxury with a dash of sport, you go G.

[RicerX]

Forgot to add - there will indeed be another Altima coupe - Honda has revised the Accord in both coupe and sedan configurations, and Hyundai is adding a coupe version of the Sonata. Nissan will compete with them and the Altima is their weapon of choice. Nissan knows Hyundai is a very serious contender and they will need to match and beat them at this game. It will be a very interesting next couple of years in the automotive world.

[M90_NACoupe]

Lol Exactly.

[SHIFT_COUPE]

If anyone talks nonsense about a RWD Altima Coupe I'm pointing them to Zach's post above

[RicerX]

Needs to be a sticky. I slap my forehead no less than once a week for people that come in and ask for them to "improve" the AC by making it RWD.

[DAAN.]

There is a lot of insightful information in your posts, props XenonSE-R.
Is Hyundai again a winner in sales this year for North America ?

RWD Altima ? ... drive it in reverse - for those who desire a V6 that is ultimately a 2 door family car to do that