OREANDA-NEWS. September 23, 2015.  With the addition of the new SR model to the 2016 Altima line-up, Nissan is taking dead aim at one of the fastest growing areas of the mid-size sedan segment – sport variants. Among some competitors, the so-called "sport" grades account for nearly 40 percent of total sales. Altima already is one of the sportiest designs in the segment, however the company is taking a more Nissan-like approach, adding a level of true enhanced performance to go with the requisite larger wheels and spoiler.

Better yet, in order to keep the new Altima SR affordable for younger buyers who might be moving into the mid-size sedan segment for the first time, the new SR grade is based on the Altima S, rather than the higher grade Altima SV or Altima SL.

"Anyone can dress up a sedan with custom wheels and a body kit, but that's not in keeping with Nissan's longstanding performance heritage," said Pierre Loing, vice president, Product Planning, Nissan North America, Inc. "Altima SR features a 12.5 percent increase in cornering performance, and we're making SR available with our refined 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engine and our higher-powered 3.5-liter V6. It's like having your espresso shot in a choice of Grande or Venti®."

Here's a quick overview of each 2016 Altima SR model:

Altima 2.5 SR Altima 3.5 SR
2.5-liter DOHC inline 4-cylinder 3.5-liter DOHVCV6
182 hp @ 6,000 rpm 270 hp @ 6,400 rpm
180 lb-ft torque @ 4,000 rpm 251 lb-ft torque @ 4,400 rpm
Xtronic 7-step "manumatic" transmission with specially tuned Gen 3 D-step logic Xtronic 7-step "manumatic" transmission with specially tuned Gen 3 D-step logic
Paddle shifters Paddle shifters
SR-tuned suspension with 22.4 mm front stabilizer bar, 26.5 mm rear stabilizer bar, revised damper tuning SR-tuned suspension with 22.4 mm front stabilizer bar, 26.5 mm rear stabilizer bar, revised damper tuning
Active Understeer Control Active Understeer Control
18x7.5" aluminum-alloy Sport design machined-finish wheels 18x7.5" aluminum-alloy Sport design machined-finish wheels
Dunlop 235/45R18 tires Dunlop 235/45R18 tires
Smoked headlight housings, signature Daytime Running lights, fog lights, optional LED headlights (late availability) Smoked headlight housings, LED headlights (late availability) with signature Daytime Running lights, fog lights
Rear decklid spoiler Rear decklid spoiler
8-way power driver's seat, 2-way driver's power lumbar support 8-way power driver's seat, 2-way driver's power lumbar support
Leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift lever Leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift lever
Black interior with unique blue-trimmed interior stitching Black interior with unique blue trimmed interior stitching

This is the first time 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels are offered on a 2.5-liter Altima model.

"As the specs show, the Altima SR is a real performance vehicle for the masses – with features such as a 258-percent stiffer rear stabilizer bar for better rotation – it's not just a marketing package," added Loing. "We think it is a great addition to the already stellar Altima model lineup."