Nissan Altima SE-R
Tuner style for Nissan's high-volume sedan.
By Jim Hall Photos by Kenny Nakajima
January 2005
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=6&article_id=1682
Nissan's new SE-R version of its popular Altima sedan gets thoroughly worked over for enthusiasts' tastes inside, outside, in the wheel wells and underhood.
Handsome charcoal-colored leather seats with red or gray "SE-R" badging on the inserts are the exclusive seating. Other notable interior features include drilled metal pedals, SE-R badging on the floormats and a new three-gauge cluster atop the center console displaying voltage, oil pressure and fuel information. All interior brightwork is now done up in black chrome, and the instrument panel, center console and three-spoke steering wheel have also been redesigned.
What's immediately noticeable outside is the revamped, more aggressive-looking front fascia with its blacked-out (really more dark-grayed-out) grille and smoked headlight covers. And speaking of headlights, these get upgraded on the Altima SE-R to new HID xenons at no additional cost. The new 18-in. forged alloy wheels by Alcoa are real eye-catchers as well. The car's look in profile is enhanced by new side sill bodywork and the rear gets a decklid spoiler, nicely done aftermarket-like taillights, and larger-diameter chrome tips on the new dual exhaust. Paint is limited to five colors: Black, Blue, Silver, Smoke (a deep gray) and Red, the last a rich, deep color available only on the SE-R.
The suspension gets a makeover as well, with stiffer front and rear anti-roll bars, spring rates and shock valving. There are larger front brake calipers emblazoned with the SE-R logo. And the Altima SE-R gets big brother Nissan Maxima's larger, 12.6-in. brake rotors.
The engine isn't massively massaged for increased performance under the newly designed raised hood in fact, it gains only 10 horsepower but it does get a reworked ECU along with a tuned exhaust that delivers a more pronounced note that is just right for a factory-tuned sedan, not too tart and not too sweet. But the 3.5-liter dohc 24-valve V-6 (now at 260 bhp) was already entering the realm of making too much power for a front-driver to handle effectively (without the aid of traction control...more on this in a moment), even with the SE-R's 225/45R-18 Bridgestone Potenzas. Mileage is rated at 21 mpg city/ 27 highway with the manual transmission.
The Altima SE-R has a bountiful standard equipment package, so much so that options are limited to a traction control/side airbag package ($800), a 5-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode (a no-cost option) and a choice of either Sirius or XM satellite radio ($400). Standard items include a Bose 8-speaker AM/FM/6-disc CD changer, a security system with remote keyless entry, air conditioning, cruise control and intermittent wipers.
The navigation system available in other Altima models is not available in the SE-R edition.
Our time behind the wheel was unfortunately brief, but we were able to discern that the suspension has been tuned quite well for real-world driving firmed up just a bit in a straight line over the standard Altima and allowing for just a slight amount of body roll in the turns. And the new 6-speed gearbox's operation is sensational, its shift lever sliding easily and precisely through the gates. Design features that make this new gearbox work well, Nissan says, will eventually make their way into the standard Altima.
With a base price of $29,200 (not including destination and handling), Nissan's 2005 Altima SE-R provides tuner-inspired pizazz and a solid-performing engine/ silky-smooth 6-speed manual in a proven package a definite next-car candidate for enthusiast drivers of all ages requiring four doors.
Seems Road and Track really doesn't like this car!
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