The 2013 Nissan Altima was awarded the top honor at the 10th Ruedas ESPN awards ceremony today, bringing home the Ruedas ESPN Car of the Year award. The announcement was made during the annual event at the 42nd Miami International Auto Show at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
The editorial board of Ruedas ESPN, the leading automotive radio show in Spanish in the United States, is responsible for generating nominations for 12 different categories including: Manufacturer of the Year, Best Hybrid Car, Best Economy Car and more – with Car of the Year being the top prize. A group of industry experts then chooses the winners based on design, value, price, performance, fuel economy and appeal among Hispanic shoppers.
“Being honored by Ruedas ESPN as Car of the Year validates that the all-new 2013 Nissan Altima truly is the most innovative Altima ever,” said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager – Nissan division, Nissan Americas. “This award further emphasizes Nissan’s strong commitment to developing innovative products while keeping a focus on quality and reliability as well as fuel-efficiency, dynamic performance and premium luxury.”
As one of the top selling mid-size sedans in the United States, the Nissan Altima has come a long way in the 20 years since it was first introduced. Among the 2013 Altima’s many attributes are a best-in-segment fuel economy of 38 mpg highway* (2.5-liter engine), new premium exterior styling with a strong presence and excellent aerodynamics, an upscale interior with premium materials, and an outstanding balance of ride comfort, stability and a fun-to-drive demeanor with projected best-level acceleration.
Building on Nissan’s “Innovation for All” philosophy, the new Altima also offers standard Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System and Streaming Audio via Bluetooth®. Also available are NissanConnect(SM) and NissanConnect(SM) Navigation with a suite of Bluetooth® phone connectivity features including hands-free text message integration, Pandora® playback, real-time Google® POI search and more; along with Easy Fill Tire Alert and next-generation Safety Shield Technologies, including Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Moving Object Detection (MOD) systems.
Dynamic performance is provided by a choice of a redesigned 182-horsepower 2.5-liter DOHC inline 4-cylinder engine or a proven 270-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, with both engines matched with standard Xtronic CVT®(Continuously Variable Transmission). Altima’s next-generation CVT reflects Nissan’s more than 20 years of engineering and development leadership with its smooth, fuel-efficient design. Altima’s redesigned 4-wheel independent suspension features segment-first Active Understeer Control for refined feel and responsive handling.
The premium interior design looks and feels a class above, with new NASA-inspired “zero-gravity” front seats, available leather appointments, and a new standard Advanced Drive-Assist™ Display in the center of the instrument cluster that integrates key information – including available navigation, text messaging notification and audio data – right in front of the driver.
