An Altima Convertible - Wouldn't That Be Nice?

Do you remember the last time that Nissan offered a convertible here in NorthAmerica, other than today’s Z Roadster? Perhaps the Z’s predecessor, the 300 ZX Convertible with its rollover bar might jog a few memories, or the equally rare 240 SX convertible. If you should so count the NX 2000 with its T-top roof, the total count rises to three. But the days of open air Nissans essentially ended in the mid ’90s; beyond that period of time, Nissan was concerned with avoiding bankruptcy. From then on, Nissans would be known for their sensible nature and conservative looks.

But now that Nissan’s financial health is secure thanks to stronger sales and a partnership with French giant Renault, we’re starting to see the return of Nissan’s fun creative side. Almost every auto enthusiast is a fan of the well-balanced Infiniti G35 Coupe and Sedan duo, and what sports car lover doesn’t have a soft spot in their heart for the aforementioned Z? Nissan is building on such enthusiasm by entering the market this year with the newD-platform Nissan Altima Coupe. Now, Inside Line, a division of Edmunds is reporting that even before the Altima Coupe is ready to hit the streets, Nissan is contemplating lopping its roof off.

It’s strange how the market for compact sports cars is dying, while midsize coupes are on the rise. Steadfast icons like the RSX and Celica have been killed off, and won’t be replaced over the short term, while Pontiac, Mitsubishi, and now Nissan have rushed in to take their place with the G6 Coupe, the bigger Eclipse and the Altima Coupe.

On looks alone, it’s easy to picture the Altima without a roof; the shape of the car is clean and sleek, while the way the trunk and fenders are shaped would make a good area for a tonneau cover. From what we understand, Nissan is leaning towards makingthe Altima a folding hardtop like many of its competitors, such as the VW Eos, Pontiac G6, Chrysler Sebring, and the Volvo C70. No official information – not even from our sources – has been released as to when it would arrive, or even if it will arrive, but we can’t see Nissan bailing on an otherwise excellent opportunity to grab sales and make money.

Convertibles not for you? Inside Line has suggested that there might yet be another potential Altima model, a station wagon. The wagon is the perfect antidote to the rising price of fuel and anti-SUV sentiment. The gain of a five-door would be unusual as this body style isn’t common on Nissan cars.

If this occurred, the combination of wagon, coupe and sedan (not to mention convertible) would expand the Altima lineup into Nissan’s largest model range, made even more diverse with its drivetrain choices that include the base 2.5-liter inline-four, 3.5-liter V6 and Hybrid.