Vehicles reflect THE 1993 model year was a significant year for Japan's second largest automaker, Nissan. ’ OVERDRIVE The introduction of the bread- and-butter Aitima family sedan, targeted right at the likes of Hon- da Accord and Mazda 626, and the Quest minivan, designed to steal some sales from the best- selling Chrysler minivans, has strengthened Nissan’s position in the marketplace. The two well-received vehicles reflect Nissan’s new image and direction. | Instead of focusing on the high-performance vehicles — which was Nissan’s push over the past several years, Nissan is now redirecting its efforts on mainstream, family-oriented ‘ models. ‘We have been predicting out | loud a forthcoming change in the . marketplace,’ said Max Wickens, 7 corporate and product com- munications manager during the 1994 product preview pres- entation. ‘‘It comes down toa maturing of the average customer, and of a gradually dwindling in- terest in performance sports cars.”’ Despite excellent past media reviews of cars like the 300ZX and 240SX sports cars, Nissan was losing the important, prof- it-making mid-size market share - to rival companies such as Toyota and Honda. Nissan had no trouble convincing consumers of its high-performance capability, but when it came to more mundane family-haulers, Nissan didn’t fare well. The debut of the all-new Altima sedan last year, therefore, was perhaps the most important step Nissan has taken in recent years towards increasing its market share and, of course, the profit margin. The Quest — the result of a joint effort between Nissan and Ford — plays a similar part in the market compared to the Altima, but is still an important image enhancer for Nissan. | QUALITY WORKMANSHIP © PRECISION REPAIRS The strategy seems to be work- ing. According to Wickens, the Altima is ‘‘currently the best-sell- ing new car nameplate and our second best-selling car.’’ The sale of the Altima has increased 100% compared to that of its predecessor, the square-looking Stanza. For the new 1994 model year, however, Nissan is taking a break and no major new models are be- ing planned. A couple of new versions, though, have joined the existing lineup. The economical and affordable Sentra is now available as a coupe. Priced around the $10,000 mark, the Mexican-built coupe replaces the Sentra Classic as the entry-level car for Nissan, al- though its peppy 110-horsepower engine is anything but basic (same engine as other Sentras). The popular, all-weather- capable Pathfinder has a new lux- ury model, called the LE, for ’94, All ’94 Pathfinders have also received a new dash panel, along with a number of equipment changes. The Nissan Hardbody pickups, by the way, alse gain a revised instruient panel, as well as a strengthened roof structure and some new features. A stunning 300ZX convertible joins the top sports-car lineup. The supply for this beautiful roadster, priced in the mid- $50,000 range, will be limited to about 50 or 60 units for the whole year. Ona safety note, the 300ZX and California-designed Altima now come equipped with dual air- bags staridard on all models. Much-awaited airbags also ‘become standard on the Quest minivan starting with the November production, but only on the driver’s side for this ycar. Other changes are minor, in- volving options or standard equipment. Almost al} ’94 Nissan models utilize the ozone-friendly, CFC-free refrigerant for the air-conditioning system. Nissan’s luxury division, In- finiti, has not introduced a new model as such, but has made a’ number of significant changes to the Q45 flagship and the G20 _ models this past spring. The V-8 powered 94 Q45 has become smoother, more refined, and slightly softer in feel in an attempt by Infiniti to take a larger bite off its rival player Lexus’ sales chart. ; Close to 1,900 new parts and components — designed to enhance both the safety and lux- ury aspects of this high-perfor- mance sedan — have been created to make all the changes possible. Among the changes area revised suspension setup; twin air- See New page 29 SATISFACTION GUARANTEED FREE ESTIMATES] aT RFORMATIONS FREE ESTIMATES & 299.9000 | CONSULTATION Nissan’s new image, direction Photo submitted : THE V-8 powered "94 04s has. become smoother, more refined, and slightly softer in feel. in an: at- |): tempt by Infiniti to take a larger bite oft its rival player Lexus’ sales chart. , New FROM THE TREAD UP When Acura engineers started work on the 1994 Integra, their only man- date was to set a new stan- dard in sports performance. One glance suggests they have succeeded hand- somely. From its stylish body to its radical power plant, every feature ofthe new Integra Sports Coupe reflects a thoughtful syn- thesis of form and func- tion. The 170 hp GS-R employs unique VTEC technology that produces an 8000 rpm redline. Refined LS and GS models now produce 142 hp with more usable power and torque. Safety has been improved from every angle. On GS and-LS models dual air bags are standard, along with ABS brakes. Energy-absorbing pads and reinforcement beams are strategically placed in the doors to reduce the effect of a side impact. And the 1994 Integra comes with the added protection | of - Acura’s Roadside Assis-: tance Plan. ‘Despite the smoother, quieter ride, the driving feel of the Integra is sporti- er than ever before. Handling -has. been improved with a re- designed steering system. The short throw 5-speed creates a shift feel that’s remarkably similar to the NSX. It would take our engineers days to detail-all - the improvements.