Nissan unveils news Sentra compact in US

DETROIT (AP) — Nissan is unveiling a more sophisticated version of the Sentra compact car.

The company says the new car is 150 pounds lighter than the old one, yet has more interior room. It also has a smoother, quieter engine.

The car goes on sale in the fall. It will compete against the top sellers in the segment, the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.

The 2013 Sentra looks similar to Nissan's midsize Altima. It has a 130-horsepower, four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission that doesn't shift gears. It keeps the engine running at the optimal speed for fuel efficiency and performance.

Nissan says the Sentra will get 34 mpg in combined city and highway driving. Most versions will get 39 mpg on the highway. The price was not announced.