Forged 18-inch wheels. Three-gauge center instrument cluster. Aggressive front fascia. Rear spoiler. Painted brake calipers. High-flow mufflers. Large diameter chrome dual exhaust finishers. Black leather-appointed sport seats.
The Altima SE-R is targeted at the performance buyer who wants it all – but wants it for under $30,000,” said McNabb. “The Altima SE-R is all about providing a great driving experience for enthusiasts without money to burn.”
The Altima SE-R adds an array of special styling features, including a new front fascia, headlight bezel coloring, compact fog lights and dark window molding coloring. In the rear, the SE-R stands out with a new rear fascia and spoiler, smoked taillights and large dual exhaust finishers. Also visible are the new side sill spoilers, silver painted front and rear disc brake calipers, with the SE-R logo on the front calipers. SE-R badging is located on the rear of the vehicle.
Other changes include sport-shaped front seats and headrests with perforated red or silver leather inserts and matching stitching on the seats, steering wheel and shift knob, dark chrome trim treatment and aluminum pedals. The front seats are also heated, as are the SE-R’s outside mirrors. Altima SE-Rs equipped with the special short throw linkage 6-speed manual transmission also feature a new gearshift knob.
The 2005 Altima SE-R adds performance-tuned front struts and rear shocks, stiffer front and rear springs and thicker front and rear stabilizer bars to the Altima’s advanced suspension. The front suspension design utilizes a cradle-type frame with an offset coil spring and lower transverse link layout provides better handling and riding performance and an extensive use of aluminum parts. The rear multi-link independent suspension, based on that used in the Japanese-market Nissan Skyline, separates the rear shocks and springs for reduced friction and the shocks are in line with the centers of the rear wheels, providing better damping and less harshness.
The SE-R comes with sticky 225/45R18 W-speed rated summer tires mounted on unique 18-inch forged alloy wheels.
Braking is provided by large (12.60 x 1.10t front, 11.5 x 0.35t rear) 4-wheel disc brakes with standard 4-wheel, 4-channel, 4-sensor Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA).
Colors and Options
The 2005 Nissan Altima SE-R is available in five exterior colors only – Black, Silver, Smoke, Blue and an SE-R only Red. The interior is offered with black leather-appointed seats with choice of red or silver inserts only. The only options are the 5-speed automatic transmission, side air bags and Traction Control System.