抖阴ap

It was 58 degrees and raining just before noon Sunday when I drove the 2012 Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5SR in to Nederland for lunch at the Black Forest Restaurant.

The sleek Altima might have attracted some interest in the parking lot, but, wouldn’t you know, when Jan and I came out after eating, there sat a row of seven Cobras of the ’60s and a Dodge Viper. The Altima, even in its “red alert” exterior finish, couldn’t compete with the famed Shelby Cobras. The drivers, members of the Mile Hi Cobra Club, were on a Sunday tour of the area.

Shining moments for the Altima came during its performance on the mountain roads from Lyons to Raymond to Peaceful Valley to Ward to Nederland. A strong 270-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine and 6-speed manual transmission are well-suited to the twists and climbs. Sixth gear wasn’t used through that portion of the drive, nor on the return down Boulder Canyon. The close-ratio transmission got a workout in 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears, while keeping the revs high and responsive.

Steering is quick and, though the ride is very quiet, the comfort level can become just a bit harsh from the firmer suspension and 18-inch alloy wheels on the SR model. The alternative to the 6-speed manual transmission is a continuously variable automatic transmission.

I also spent some time the past week in the 2011 Kia Forte 5-door SX, the new hatchback version of the little compact. The Kia Forte sedan was introduced two years ago.

The good-handling Nissan Altima Coupe is 10 inches shorter (4-inch shorter wheelbase) than the Altima Sedan. The two-door sits on a wheelbase of 105.3 inches, is 180.9 inches in overall length and weighs 3,300 pounds.

The shorter length and low-slung structure are costly in the rear seat, where there is little legroom or headroom and entry is difficult, and in the trunk, which offers only 8.2 cubic feet of space compared with 15 cubic feet in the sedan.

Adding to the coupe’s sleekness are vertical trapezoid headlights, for which the halogens on high beam light up impressively a dark roadway.
Well-bolstered sport-type front seats, heated and leather-covered, are a highlight of the interior. A large bin beneath the center stack is well-positioned.
Such amenities as navigation, upgraded audio and satellite radio boosted sticker price of the ’12 Altima to $32,165. Other features are moonroof, rearview monitor, dual-zone temperature control, power windows/locks/mirrors, push-button start, trip computer, tilt/telescope steering column and rear spoiler.

The 3.5SR coupe delivered an overall average of 25.2 miles per gallon; EPA rating is 18/27. Fuel mileage rating exceeds 30 mpg with the lesser-powered 2.5-liter 4-cylinder Altima model.

Hatchback added to Kia Forte lineup

Joining the Kia Forte sedan and coupe in recent months is the 2011 SX hatchback, a direct competitor to the Mazda3 five-door.
The SX offers roomy front and rear seat space, plus 15 cubic feet of easily accessible cargo room under the rear hatch.

The well-equipped review model’s sticker price of $23,165 included navigation, push-button start, moonroof and leather interior. The leather is an enhancement to the little-cushioned seats and somewhat bumpy ride. A glowing red ring highlights the speedometer in the instrument panel.

The SX boasts a smooth powertrain, with adequate low-end strength from a 173-hp, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters for manual mode. I averaged 27.8 miles per gallon overall; EPA rating is 23/32.

The Forte was introduced two years ago as a sporty replacement for the Kia Spectra.

Notes from e-mail

Q: Bud, I purchased a 2007 Ford Five Hundred Limited recently. It was a one-owner from Gillette, Wyo., only 40,000 miles and I love driving it. We also have a 2000 Ford Taurus Limited, which has 170,000 miles, so another newer “Taurus” with a different name. My question is, how many horses are under the hood of the 3.0-liter V-6 Duratec engine in the 2000 model? I’m a little old gray-haired lady who loves fast cars, raced when I was just out of high school, could do most mechanical work on my cars until 20 years ago. – A.N.

A: Your relationship with your cars, Alice, is wonderful. I believe your 2000 Taurus is equipped with the 200-horsepower V-6, a four-valve engine.

Q: Bud, I enjoyed the excerpts from your 30-year-old review of the 1981 Triumph TR7 last week, and someone told me you have done many of these old cars in recent years. Is that so? – E.L.

A: I try, Edmund, to do a “Look Back” on the last Saturday of each month as one of my columns from years ago. I’ve done that for the past seven or eight years, an indication that I’ve been at this automotive reviewing for many years.

2012 Nissan Altima Coupe

$32,165

(price as tested)

MPG City 18 Highway 27

Vehicle type: Midsize coupe

Wheelbase: 105.3 inches

Length/Width/Height: 180.9/70.7/55.9 inches

Weight: 3,299 pounds

Engine: 3.5-liter V-6

Transmission: 6-speed manual

Fuel mileage: 25.2 mpg

Fuel tank: 20 gallons

Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles basic; 5/60,000 powertrain

Competitors: Honda Accord Coupe, Hyundai Genesis

Built at Smyrna, Tenn.

THE STICKER

$30,700 base

$645 Rear spoiler, floor and trunk mats

$720 Destination

PLUSES

Smart coupe styling

3.5-liter V-6

Good handler

MINUSES

Tight rear-seat space

Small trunk