The all-new 2019 Nissan Altima debuted last year at the 2018 New York Auto Show with a new 2.0-liter variable-compression turbo engine, a revised 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder, and all-wheel drive for the first time in the mdoel's history. But here's a unique detail you probably didn't know about the midsize sedan's 2.5-liter engine: it uses technology developed for the Nissan GT-R supercar.

First used in the GT-R and then applied to other models such as the Sentra Nismo, Nissan employs a special mirror bore process inside the cylinders of the engine block. The technique involves spraying and polishing the cylindrical space inside the engine in which the pistons move.

During the spraying phase, sparks fly as charged metal wire is blown using gas to atomize the material and coat the inside of the cylinders. The thickness of the coating only needs to be about 200 microns – that's about twice the thickness of a human hair or three times thicker than a grain of salt. A special tool is then used to polish the cylinder bore, giving the process its "mirror bore" name. Nissan says this technique improves efficiency and reduces friction.

"Advanced technology like the mirror bore process only makes sense for Nissan if we can offer it to as many customers as possible," said Jay Boyte, director of engineering at Decherd Powertrain Plant, Nissan North America. "The end result is an innovative and efficient engine made with manufacturing technology usually not available at this volume or price point."

The Altima's 2.5-liter four-pot produces 188 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque. It's assembled at Decherd, Tennessee, which employs 1,700 people. The facility puts together about 1.4 million engines annually, or one every 19 seconds.