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While some automakers were phasing out midsize coupes, Nissan was bringing one to market.

The automaker added the coupe version to the Altima lineup for 2008, based on the architecture of the redesigned 2007 Altima sedan.

Styling is one of the Altima coupe’s strong points. It bears some resemblance to the Nissan Z sports car, although to be completely fair, the Altima is a long way from being a Z.

First, it has front-wheel drive, whereas the Z has rear drive. And the Z is designed as a pure sports car, while the Altima coupe is a sporty car. There is a difference.

But it adds a new dimension to the Altima brand, which has never included a coupe (two-door) model.

The coupe isn’t just a two-door version of the Altima sedan, however. The exterior is significantly different from the sedan, including taking styling cues from the Z, whose starting price is about $8,180 more than that of the Altima coupe.

For 2009, the Altima coupe’s base prices range from $21,750-$26,890 (plus $695 freight). It offers most of what you get with the Altima sedan, both in performance and practicality, but in a coupe body style that has a distinctively sporty look.

The Altima coupe arguably has better styling than its biggest competitor, the Accord coupe. One of Nissan’s strengths is cutting-edge styling, though, and the Altima coupe carries on that tradition.

Altima’s coupe comes on the same all-new chassis of the sedan, which is slightly smaller outside than the previous model. While the coupe has its own unique exterior, it benefits from all of the changes the sedan received, including a roomier interior.

The interiors of both the coupe and sedan look like those of more-expensive premium brands.

On the exterior, the rear end has a raked appearance similar to that of the sedan, but the rear side windows are much smaller, giving the coupe a more-drastic swoop from the roof to the rear bumper. This is where it is most like the Z.

The coupe is 182.5 inches long, compared with 189.8 inches for the sedan. Both have the same width, but in keeping with its sporty nature, the coupe is nearly three inches lower, with an overall height of 55.3 inches.

Also in keeping with the sporty theme, the coupe is designed to handle better than the sedan. To improve handling, the coupe has a wheelbase of 105.3 inches, three inches shorter than that of the sedan.

The coupe can seat up to five people quite comfortably, but the rear passengers do have to climb in through the front, which can be a hassle – especially for full-size adults.

Although Toyota has discontinued its Camry Solara coupe, Nissan believes there still is a market for coupes, especially because empty-nester baby boomers are now buying cars that are sportier – even though less versatile than the ones they needed when they were raising their children.

Designers can do more with a two-door car than a four-door, so coupes generally have much better styling than sedans.

Under the hood of the Altima coupe are versions of the same engines offered in the sedan. The base engine is a 2.5-liter, double-overhead-cam, inline four-cylinder rated at 175 horsepower and 180 foot-pounds of torque.

That’s the engine that came in our tester, the 2.5S model (base price $21,750).

Also available is the 3.5SE model, which comes with a version of the VQ-series 3.5-liter V-6 used in a number of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles, including the 2008 350Z.

In the Altima coupe, that engine is rated at 270 horsepower and 258 foot-pounds of torque. In the 2009 350Z roadster, this engine puts out 306 horsepower and 268 foot-pounds of torque (the 2009 coupe is now called the 370Z, and features a 3.7-liter version of this engine with 332 horsepower).

Altima coupe models come with a choice of a six-speed manual gearbox, which is standard, or Nissan’s continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which is $500 more.

The manual gearbox was included in our tester, and will be the choice of those who want to get the sportiest performance out of the coupe. But most buyers will want the automatic transmission, though, as it is the easiest to use in city traffic.

With the four-cylinder engine and manual gearbox, our tester’s EPA ratings were 23 miles per gallon city/32 highway. With the continuously variable automatic, the mileage estimates are 23 city/31 highway.

For the V-6 and manual, the ratings are 18 city/27 highway. With the automatic, the numbers are 19 city/26 highway.

Even the four-cylinder engine offers good performance, though, so it’s fun and fuel-efficient at the same time.

Nissan vehicles are designed to be drivers’ cars, and the Altima coupe is no exception. The car handles with almost sports-car precision, and was quite capable of handling the curvy country roads with the ease of a sports car.

The power steering is speed-sensitive, and there was no wallowing. Sports cars are supposed to feel like that, but it’s rare for a car that’s designed as an everyday driver that can carry the whole family.

The 2.5S coupes come with 16-inch wheels, while the V-6 has 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.

Standard on both models are four-wheel antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution; traction control; sport-style front bucket seats; a 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat; air conditioning; and keyless entry and ignition system with push-button start.

Safety features include front-seat side-impact air bags and roof-mounted side-curtain air bags for front and rear passengers, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. But a great safety feature – electronic stability control – is not available on the four-cylinder model; it is optional on the V-6 only.

Extras on our test car included the 2.5S Premium Package ($3,800), which added a Bose audio system with seven speakers and six-disc CD changer, a Bluetooth hands-free phone system, satellite radio, dual-zone automatic climate control, power moon roof, leather-trimmed seats and shifter, heated front seats, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a universal garage/gate opener.

We also had the Convenience Package ($1,300), which brought 16-inch alloy wheels, eight-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support, automatic headlights, dual illuminated visor mirrors, leather-wrapped steering wheel with built-in audio controls, and wood-tone trim for the blonde interior.

The Technology Package ($2,000) was included as well, which tacked on the Nissan voice-activated navigation system with rear-view monitor and XM NavTraffic. Fog lights added $310, and carpeted floor and trunk mats were an additional $175.

With options and freight, total sticker for our tester was $30,030. But you really don’t need all of those extras to have a nice car.

The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III have appeared regularly in the Star-Telegram since 1995. Contact him at 210-250-3236; chambers@star-telegram. com.

2009 Nissan

Altima Coupe

The package: Midsize, two-door, five-passenger, four-cylinder or V-6 powered, front-drive sport coupe.

Highlights: Nissan added a coupe version of its popular midsize Altima sedan last year. This is a sporty car with great styling that is quite different from that of the sedan.

Negatives: Electronic stability control should be standard, but is a $600 option; cargo space is half that of the sedan version.

Engine: 2.5-liter inline four cylinder or 3.5-liter V-6.

Transmission: Six-speed manual or continuously variable automatic.

Power/torque: 175 HP/180 foot-pounds (I-4); 270 HP/258 foot-pounds (V-6).

Length: 182.5 inches.

Curb weight: 3,052-3,271 pounds.

Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc, antilock.

Trunk volume: 7.4 cubic feet.

Side air bags: Front seat-mounted, roof-mounted side-curtain for both rows, standard.

Electronic stability control: Optional, available only on V-6 model.

Fuel capacity/type: 20 gallons/unleaded regular (I-4); unleaded premium (V-6).

EPA fuel economy: 18-23 mpg city/26-32 highway.

Major competitors: Honda Accord coupe, Pontiac G6 coupe.

Base price range: $21,750-$26,890 plus $695 freight.

Price as tested: $30,030 including freight and options (2.5 S model with manual).

On the Road rating: 9.3 (of a possible 10).

Prices shown are manufacturer’s suggested retail; actual selling price may vary.