FRANKLIN, Tenn., Nov. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2013 Nissan Altima was awarded the top honor at the 10^th Ruedas ESPN awards ceremony today, bringing home the Ruedas ESPN Car of the Year award. The announcement was made during the annual event at the 42^nd Miami International Auto Show at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

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The editorial board of Ruedas ESPN, the leading automotive radio show in Spanish in the United States, is responsible for generating nominations for 12 different categories including: Manufacturer of the Year, Best Hybrid Car, Best Economy Car and more – with Car of the Year being the top prize. A group of industry experts then chooses the winners based on design, value, price, performance, fuel economy and appeal among Hispanic shoppers.

"Being honored by Ruedas ESPN as Car of the Year validates that the all-new 2013 Nissan Altima truly is the most innovative Altima ever," said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager – Nissan division, Nissan Americas. "This award further emphasizes Nissan's strong commitment to developing innovative products while keeping a focus on quality and reliability as well as fuel-efficiency, dynamic performance and premium luxury."

As one of the top selling mid-size sedans in the United States, the Nissan Altima has come a long way in the 20 years since it was first introduced. Among the 2013 Altima's many attributes are a best-in-segment fuel economy of 38 mpg highway* (2.5-liter engine), new premium exterior styling with a strong presence and excellent aerodynamics, an upscale interior with premium materials, and an outstanding balance of ride comfort, stability and a fun-to-drive demeanor with projected best-level acceleration.

Building on Nissan's "Innovation for All" philosophy, the new Altima also offers standard Bluetooth^® Hands-Free Phone System and Streaming Audio via Bluetooth^®. Also available are NissanConnect^(SM) and NissanConnect^(SM) Navigation with a suite of Bluetooth^® phone connectivity features including hands-free text message integration, Pandora^® playback, real-time Google^® POI search and more; along with Easy Fill Tire Alert and next-generation Safety Shield Technologies, including Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Moving Object Detection (MOD) systems.

Dynamic performance is provided by a choice of a redesigned 182-horsepower 2.5-liter DOHC inline 4-cylinder engine or a proven 270-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, with both engines matched with standard Xtronic CVT^® (Continuously Variable Transmission). Altima's next-generation CVT reflects Nissan's more than 20 years of engineering and development leadership with its smooth, fuel-efficient design. Altima's redesigned 4-wheel independent suspension features segment-first Active Understeer Control for refined feel and responsive handling.

The premium interior design looks and feels a class above, with new NASA-inspired "zero-gravity" front seats, available leather appointments, and a new standard Advanced Drive-Assist™ Display in the center of the instrument cluster that integrates key information – including available navigation, text messaging notification and audio data – right in front of the driver.

About Ruedas ESPN
Ruedas ESPN is a two hour radio show focused in the auto industry and the world of motorsports, designed to deliver useful and timely information for US Hispanics in an entertaining manner. Broadcast on the ESPN Deportes Radio network of more than 48 AM & FM stations all over the US and Puerto Rico, and on Channel 149 of both the SIRIUS and XM Satellite Radio systems, every Sunday at 11 AM (EST) it brings outstanding content to enrich a compelling listening experience. The sections include recommendations on how to best purchase a vehicle; interviews, reviews about cars; suggestions regarding insurance and financing, and coverage of the most important events in the automobile industry and the world of motorsports.

About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, and 2012 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the Americas media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

About Nissan
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 248,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4.8 million vehicles in 2011, generating revenue of 9.4 trillion yen ($118.95 billion US). With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of 64 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. A pioneer in zero-emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades, including the prestigious 2011-2012 Car of the Year Japan and 2011 World Car of the Year awards.

For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

*Fuel economy comparison against internal combustion gasoline engine-equipped mid-size sedans. Excludes hybrid and diesel models.

SOURCE Nissan North America