2008 Nissan Altima Coupe

Like Samuel Clemens's pithy observation regarding rumors of his own demise, the death of sport coupes has proven just a tad overstated. While their absolute numbers remain modest, these two-doors are currently experiencing a mini-renaissance. Nissan is the latest automaker to exploit the enticing potential of turning heads and profits at a single stroke, spinning a slick coupe variant from its new-for-2007 Altima sedan and offering it in 2.5 S and 3.5 SE trims. We recently sampled a preproduction 3.5 SE and found this front-driver a solid performer with sufficient look and cook to become a formidable player in what's turning into an increasingly crowded field.

While planned and developed for, and built in the U.S., this front-drive coupe was styled in Japan in hopes of attracting young and young-thinking buyers who demand transport with more personality if less practicality than the family-oriented Altima four-door. Aside from its aluminum hood, the Coupe shares no body panels with the Sedan, instead culling numerous visual cues from the 350Z and Infiniti G37. Despite changes in several key dimensions and unique sheetmetal, it maintains-and marginally enhances-the outstanding structural qualities of the basic D-platform architecture that underpins all Altimas. Reinforcing its redrawn proportions and edgier lines, the Coupe also boasts a faster windshield rake, a 2.5-inch-lower roof height, and a more Z-like side-glass treatment. While overall width remains 70.7 inches, the wheelbase was trimmed from 109.3 to 105.3 inches, and the overhangs were shortened, dropping the car's length from 189.8 to 182.5 inches.

Even the lesser details got attitude-adjusting tweaks. Subtly revised headlamps, an expanded mesh grille insert, and a reshaped/retrimmed lower valance panel help raise its look-at-me quotient. The Coupe's rear quarters benefit from a similar high-profiling effort, where a riveting C-pillar treatment teams with its rising shoulder line to impart an evocative flair to the roof as it tapers into an abbreviated decklid. Bigger, bolder, and better-integrated taillamps effectively accent the crisply tailored appearance.

Inside, the Coupe provides a more intimate space than the Sedan, with all key dimensions scaled down slightly. However, six-footers will still feel right at home up front, and you can stash a pair of average-size adult friends in the aft quarters-at least for short-distance runs. The belted-for-three 60/40 bench also folds flat, enhancing utility of its rather modest 7.4-cubic-foot trunk. To further play up its enthusiast orientation, the Coupe's bucket seats are more deeply bolstered and a console-mount fly-off emergency brake replaces the normal foot pedal. Beyond those elements and slightly reworked door panels, the package mirrors the look and feel of an Altima four-door, from legible instrument cluster and finger-friendly levers and switch-gear to tri-binnacle center dash vents and metallic accent bits.

Nissan anticipates Coupe sales of 25,000 to 30,000 annually, split 60/40 between the four-cylinder 2.5 S and the V-6 3.5 SE. Even at entry level, there's a lot to like here, starting with a full range of power assists, six-speaker AM/FM/CD sound system, cruise control, keyless remote entry, Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition, dual-zone air-conditioning, front/front-side/side-curtain airbags, and security/immobilizer systems for $21,115 with the six-speed manual gearbox or $21,615 with the Xtronic CVT. Besides its extra muscle, the 3.5 SE adds eight-way power adjustment to the driver's seat, power moonroof, express up/down passenger side window, supplemental cruise/radio controls on the steering wheel and bigger wheels/tires, all of which ups the price of entry to $24,890 or $25,390, depending on transmission choice.

Heading the short but sweet options list on all Coupes is a Technology Package (DVD-based nav with voice recognition, Bluetooth, nine-speaker Bose audio, Sirius or XM Satellite Radio, and a rear backup camera) and dedicated Premium Packages that add leather, heated seats, and all the Technology Package goodies. The 2.5 S mix also contains a Convenience Package (which pretty much brings it up to full 3.5 SE comfort spec), plus a moonroof and foglamps while 3.5 SE buyers can opt for Vehicle Dynamics Control.

Like the Sedan, motivation for the Coupe runs from solid to scintillating. The 2.5 S gets Nissan's 2.5-liter DOHC four that makes 175 horses and 180 pound-feet of torque (although both figures take a five-unit hit in California), but the 3.5 SE we drove ups the performance ante with the latest iteration of the Gen III VQ35. This world-class 3.5-liter twin-cam V-6 packs a stout 270 horses and 258 pound-feet of torque wherever it's purchased. Although not as electrifying as the 306 horses and 268 pound-feet of torque cranked out by the Gen IV "HR" variant in the 2007 350Z, it still promises to make 0-to-60 mph happen in 6.4 to 6.5 seconds with either transmission. Those projected figures are marginally quicker than in a comparable V-6 sedan, reflecting the Coupe's 63-pound weight advantage. As with the Altima four-door, the Coupe's Xtronic CVT offers seamless full-auto operation and a Sport mode with six "virtual gears" that can be quickly grabbed and held via the shift lever. We like it a lot, and so will most Coupe buyers.

The Coupe also trumps the Sedan in sheer handling prowess. Its shorter wheelbase and modestly tauter tuning of its front-strut/rear-multilink suspension helps offset a slightly greater front-weight bias, imparting a sportier overall feel and quicker responses to driver inputs. That said, the Coupe remains an Altima and not a G37 at heart. Abrupt transition moves can still elicit unsettling secondary undulations, and it's happier negotiating semi-open sweepers than super twisties. Those determined to press on regardless will find their knuckles whiten as radii tighten, but the inevitable at-the-limit push is progressive and predictable. Ditto for its trailing-throttle behavior. The grip index of our Coupe's 215/55VR17 all-season tires proved well matched to the character of its driver-selectable electronic nanny. They permitted semi-spirited play-and provided considerable warning squeal-before goading the VDC on our tester into fun-foiling nip-tug responses. Carried directly from the four-door, the Coupe's power steering would be better served by swapping a bit of synthetic effort for some real on-center feel, but its sedan-spec four-channel ABS disc binders delivered consistent stops with little drama.

While talk of possible convertible and definite SE-R spin-offs promise a long and likely happy future for the newest Altima, the immediate challenge will be facing off against its archrival, the Honda Accord Coupe. With an all-new version of that dominant presence due in dealers shortly, the stage is now set for what should be a most intriguing real-world showdown.