Nissan announced a starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $25,070 for the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid, which is on sale now at Nissan retailers in the eight states that have adopted California emissions regulations — California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. The Altima Hybrid has been certified by the Internal Revenue Service as meeting the requirements for the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit, thereby qualifying for a tax credit of $2,350.

Enhancements to the 2008 Altima Hybrid include standard splash guards and Diversity Antenna, along with an available factory-activated XM(R) Satellite Radio (XM(R) monthly subscription required, sold separately).

Altima Hybrid is offered in one model and with four available option packages — Convenience Package, Connection Package, Power Sliding Glass Moonroof and Technology Package.

The 2008 Altima Hybrid ’s EPA fuel economy is estimated at 35 mpg City and 33 mpg Highway. It is rated as an Advanced Technology-Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) and emits almost no evaporative emissions. Combined with Altima’s standard 20-gallon fuel tank, Altima Hybrid has a projected driving range of over 600 miles between fill-ups.

The Altima Hybrid features a high level of standard equipment, including 16-inch alloy wheels, Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition, power windows/door locks, 6-speaker AM/FM/CD system with auxiliary audio input jack, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and Traction Control System (TCS).

Altima Hybrid also features a standard dual-zone automatic temperature control that includes an Altima Hybrid-specific electrically powered air conditioning system that continues to provide cooling when the gasoline engine is stopped.

Every Altima Hybrid offers an extensive list of standard safety features, including the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS), front seat-mounted side- impact supplemental air bags for chest protection, roof-mounted curtain side- impact supplemental air bags for front and rear outboard occupant head protection and front seat Active Head Restraints.

For 2008, Altima is also available in 3.5-liter V6 and 2.5-liter inline 4- cylinder gasoline engine models in 4-door Sedan and 2-door Coupe body styles.
source;autochannel

Ford Explorer Sport Trac has spotted by KGP Photography. The neither fish-nor-fowl SUV/pickup/thing looks like it will receive a modest freshening that includes a new mesh grille in place of the current truck’s chrome bar setup. Our shooter indicates that the front bumper appears to be lower, which ought to add a measure of visual aggression and perhaps point to improved crash compatibility.

Out back, the exhaust has been rerouted subtly, with the twin chrome pipes exiting straight back (the old one poked out on the left side). Engineers have camouflaged the mule’s rear bumper as well, which means that we can probably expect a subtle redesign there, too. Interestingly, Ford doesn’t appear to have touched the vehicle’s light clusters in either front or rear, a traditionally easy (but very expensive) change for refreshes.

No word yet on any potential running gear changes, but Ford is doubtlessly hoping to renew interest in its flagging Explorer franchise with this mid-cycle refresh. Will these changes be effected on its more traditional Explorer SUV stablemate? Will they be enough to revive the model’s sagging sales? We’ll have to wait and see.
source: windingroad

2008 Honda Accord coupe showed, dressed only in light camouflage. This prototype Accord coupe isn’t far from the production models that will arrive later this year.

It’s easy to see that these prototypes have roughly the same overall size and shape as the Accord concept coupe shown at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show. Up front, the airdam has a particularly aggressive shape for a Honda. It has a more squared-off shape than before and flares out slightly at each corner. The center intake remains substantial, although much the same size as before, and there are decent-size openings for a pair of useful foglights.

Compared to the current model, the new Accord coupe’s most distinctive design cue up front is its trapezoidal grille. Acura has been using this look recently, so maybe it’s not surprising to see it migrate over to the Honda side.

These test prototypes also reveal a new character line that runs from the front wheel arch all the way to the taillights. It breaks up the slab-sided look of the current coupe without being too obvious at first glance. The rear-end styling isn’t drastically different from the current car, apart from the less triangular taillights and more steeply angled tail section.

In traditional Honda fashion, the engines for the Accord coupe will produce more power while emitting less pollutants and using less gas. An enhanced version of Honda’s VTEC valve-timing system aided by cylinder activation is expected to give V6 models as much as 270 horsepower, while four-cylinder models will get only minor changes. No word yet about whether Honda plans to continue with a manual transmission for this car.

With sales expected to start this fall, official specifications and photos should arrive by the end of the summer.

source:edmunds insideline

Chrysler executives have approved production of the new Imperial luxury sedan, according to industry sources cited by the Toronto Star. The official announcement is expected June 11th, according to the newspaper.

The company will invest $700 million for Imperial production at its its Brampton, Ontario plant, which already builds the Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, and Dodge Magnum.

The news comes not long after Brampton workers rejected a company proposal that asked them to give up $115 per week in exchange for a contract to build the Imperial. The move put plans for production in jeopardy, but about 1,800 workers overturned the decision a few weeks later and accepted changes, according to the Star.

Chrysler announced plans to produce the new Dodge Challenger in early July 2006. Production will begin in early 2008. Chrysler will unveil the production version of the Challenger at the Chicago Auto Show in February 2008.

It’s not known when the company will reveal the production Imperial, or how closely it will match the concept version. Various reports have indicated it will retain its 214-inch length and 123-inch wheelbase.

Another mystery is the Imperial’s price. Chrysler’s Joe Eberhardt previously said he believes the brand enhanced its image enough with the 300 that it can now push further into the premium segment, challenging Cadillac and Lincoln. Eberhardt said Chrysler is not ready for a $50,000 vehicle, suggesting the Imperial will be priced comfortably below that. Analysts have predicted the Imperial will be priced $5,000 to $7,000 above the 300.

After the recent spy photos of the 2008 Honda Accord coupe showed up, it wasn’t too surprising when similar pictures of the 2008 Honda Accord sedan appeared. Like the coupe, the Honda Accord sedan was caught with minimal camouflage so nearly all of its exterior details are easy to make out. The Accord’s conservative styling isn’t much of a shock although we expected a sleeker looking four-door given the relatively attractive styling of the coupe. Expect to see this sedan debut along side the coupe this fall with sales beginning in the U.S. by the end of the year.