This Isn't the Latest Sentra or Altima; It's Something Different | Carscoops

      This sedan sketch ignited speculation, but it does not represent what Nissan intends to unveil next for North America.

      7 hours ago

      by John Halas

      The sedans that Nissan has teased are not the models depicted in the recently released patent images.

      The vehicle shown in the patents is the China-exclusive EVO Concept, showcased at the Beijing Auto Show.

      Earlier, Nissan teased the true Sentra in low-light renders that disclosed only minimal details.

      Despite facing numerous challenges recently, many of which resemble prolonged uphill battles, Nissan continues to develop a range of new models for both North American and international markets. Among these is a new version of the Sentra, though the patent images circulating online may mislead some. The car represented in those sketches is not what most people believe it to be.

      Additionally: All The New Nissan Models Arriving By 2027, From Sentra To Frontier

      Initially noted by the Philippines’ Top Gear, the images depict what appears to be a compact or mid-size sedan, prompting speculation about whether these sketches reveal the upcoming Sentra or a future Altima. However, a deeper look into Nissan’s concept lineup clarifies the situation.

      Not the Sentra or Altima You’re Expecting

      What is shown in those images is actually the EVO Concept, a hybrid sedan designed specifically for the Chinese market. It was introduced in April 2024 at the Beijing Auto Show, alongside three other New Energy Vehicle (NEV) concepts: the EPOCH sedan, and the EPIC and ERA SUVs.

      A quick visual comparison confirms the identification. The overall shape aligns perfectly, and key design elements such as the slim LED taillight strip and angled LED accents on the headlights match those from the Chinese concept. While some may argue the headlights appear slightly larger in the sketches, this is simply a typical characteristic of patent drawings, which are not meant to enhance appearance but to outline. The fact that the patents were submitted in China further supports this connection.

      From our understanding, a production version of this sedan is currently being developed through one of Nissan’s joint ventures in China, akin to the development of the all-electric N7 sedan with their partner Dongfeng, based on the existing eπ 007 model. Since that vehicle was recently approved for global distribution (though not in North America), there's a possibility the same might occur with the production version of this hybrid EVO.

      Sentra is Still Being Developed

      Regarding the next-generation Sentra and Altima, Nissan provided a brief preview earlier this year, primarily for the former. During a product presentation, the Sentra made a brief appearance as part of a larger lineup tease, shown in low-light renders that deliberately obscured key design elements, revealing just enough to ignite speculation while withholding details.

      Conversely, the Altima may not share the same fate. A recent report indicates that Nissan plans to discontinue both the Altima and the Versa after 2025, potentially leaving the Sentra as the sole sedan in the North American range.

      So yes, Nissan has a sedan on the horizon for America, or at least that is the intention—barring any major setbacks, which wouldn’t be entirely surprising at this stage. However, this is not one of those instances. The actual sedan is illustrated below and is anticipated to go into production by 2027.

      The vehicle depicted above represents the next Sentra for America, which may retain the existing 149 hp 2.0L inline-four engine.

      Nissan also unveiled another sedan, believed to be a preview of a Versa-sized model intended for South America.