The warm-ups started right in the Orange County Auto Show, 2006 with the unveiling of country’s 14th Hybrid Car. And as it rolls into another new year, the countdown has already begun: Nissan’s 2007 Altima is all set to hit the stores across USA.

This highly sophisticated hybrid car claims to create the “new benchmark, purposefully powerful and refined”. Have a quick look at the unique features and stay informed about this new Nissan model.

Nissan Altima is definitely going to be a trend setter among its other green car cousins with an AT-PZEV(Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) rating up its sleeve. That is to say it virtually runs without any evaporative emissions.

With a power rating of 198 horsepower, the Altima Hybrid is going to be the most powerful among any available 4-cylinder hybrid systems. The car is equipped with 270-hp V6 and groundbreaking Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) that delivers instant response.

So the performance is ensured, but you don’t have to compromise on the style either. With Bose audio system, touch screen navigation, plush finish with metallic accents, and rich textures, Nissan Altima is going to be the ultimate experience in luxury, comfort and safety for both the rider and the driver.

Also the driver-friendly technologies make your driving experience more enjoyable; no need to carry the key to start your Altima…a keyless push-button ignition system cuts down your effort to simply pressing the button and getting the immediate response. However, you get the convenient Intelligent Key all right. In addition to that a touch-screen navigation system with live traffic reporting slashes off the stress of driving at a longer stretch.

A piece of advice from the experts of Nissan: don’t program while you drive. If you are driving in Hawaii and Alaska, you will not get the benefits of navigation system; it is made operational only in the contiguous 48 states of the USA. Also, the mapping is not yet detailed and may not reflect all the current traffic regulations.

Initially the car is planned to be sold only in California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont—the states having stricter emission rules than the other 42 states.

Feeling curious? Want to know more about this wonderful car that combines style and performance? The following links may come handy for you:

Orange County Auto Show

http://www.nissanusa.com/altima/interior.html

http://www.nissanusa.com/altima/

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/2007-nissan-altima.htm