The new sixth generation Maxima made
it's debut at the 2003 North American International Auto Show
(a.k.a. the Detroit Auto Show). The new car is based on the
FF-L platform also used on the new Altima and Murano. If you
recall the FF-L platform has a long wheelbase (great for roomy
cabins) and engineered for both front wheel drive and all
wheel drive (on the Murano) applications. Unfortunately
Nissan didn't make an any announcements about an AWD Maxima yet
but we've heard it is still in the works.
The new car was designed at Nissan Technical Center in Japan
and combines several elements from recent Nissan vehicles
including the Altima, 350Z, and Murano. The swoopy C-pillar is
trait shared with the Altima but in this case even more
extreme. The side profile is vertically
curved similar to a Murano. The tail-lights also wrap around
like the Murano and Z. Glancing at the headlights, and fender
wells, we notice they are cut like the Z. And the new grille
sports a new Nissan trademark twin grille (also seen in the
new Quest). You'll no doubt notice some other cues yourself.
Nissan has done a lot of aerodynamic research work in the past
years beginning with the FM platform (G35 and Z) and the
fruits of their labor show up with a Co-efficient of drag
measurement of 0.28 on Maxima SE models with a spoiler.
Non-spoiler equipped models make do with a Cd of 0.30 - a
still respectable number. What does this mean for you?
Probably less wind noise at highway speeds and slightly
enhanced fuel consumption.
Like previous Maximas, this new design is certainly polarizing.
Either you really like it or hate it at first. Our fist
impulse thought is that the car doesn't seem as sporty or sleek as we
were looking forward to. Although in the few hours revising
this article, we have grown to be found of the quarter rear
view. But we'll reserve final judgment
until we see the car in person.
Power comes from the ubiquitous
VQ35DE V-6 engine displacing 3.5L with double overhead cams
and 24 valves. This all aluminum engine benefits from micro-finished
camshafts, moly-coated pistons, dual path water cooling, Continuous Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS),
and
electronic throttle control. The exhaust is tied to two twin
high capacity mufflers with four ports peeking out from the
rear bumper. Nissan hasn't released any final horsepower figures
but says the engine will have "260-plus horsepower and 250-plus lb-ft
of torque." We're guessing the final horsepower will be
closer to 270 according to insiders. Sources tell us initially
the marketing guys wanted a horsepower rating closer to the Z.
In the end, the final horsepower will probably lower so the
engine is not high strung and emanates a more respectable
noise level than the throaty Z. Remember the Maxima is a
luxury sports sedan...right? The question to ask is which
car should be the flagship Nissan? The Z or the Maxima? Or
should there be a flagship 2 door and a flagship 4 door cars?
(Poll
here...)
Maxima buyers will have their choice of 3 transmissions. The
SL model comes with a standard smooth shifting 4-speed
automatic but SE cars can be had with either a more advanced
5-speed automatic (with manual-shift mode) or a close ration
6-speed manual with an optional helical limited slip differential.
Nissan estimates gas mileage between 20/28 for city/highway
driving. Not bad for a car that weighs around 3,400 lbs. For
comparison, the 2003 Altima (3.5 SE A/T) weighs around 3,200
lbs.
Courtesy of the FF-L platform, the new
Maxima moves back to a true independent rear suspension with a
multi-link layout similar to the one in the Altima. The fourth
and fifth generation Maxima utilized a rear "multi-link
beam" non-independent suspension which was assailed by
enthusiasts and the press alike but these cars still managed
to carve an enthusiast following due to the slick VQ engine.
In usual Nissan fashion, the SL models will have a suspension
tuned more for a luxurious ride while SE models get the
stiffer springs and struts to tackle the back-country roads.
In their press
releases, Nissan makes no
indication if aluminum components will be used in the
suspension like the Altima's system or if the new Maxima will
employ an aluminum hood like the Altima.
Bolted to the Maxima are standard 17" alloy wheels.
Expect 225/55R17 H-rated tires on the SL and ultra high
performance 245/45R18 V-rated tires on the sportier SE
models.
As standard on recent Nissan vehicles,, the new Maxima has 4
wheel disc brakes with beefy 12.6" rotors front and
11.5" rotors rear. The brakes are backed up by ABS, EBD
(electronic brake-force distribution), and BA (brake assist)
systems. Automatic transmission models can be optioned with a
traction control/VDC (vehicle dynamics control) package for
improved handling.
Inside the new Maxima, there's 102 cubic feet of space
inside the new cabin. Interestingly the Altima boasts a slightly
larger 103 cubic feet of space. Again, current Nissan themes are
carried out with a three pod gauge cluster and three-spoke steering wheel. The
center console positions most of the buttons higher up to eye level. This
area houses the automatic climate control, stereo
(with standard CD, tape, and radio functions), and optional navigation
system. We're particularly impressed that Nissan will offer a 320-watt
(not a typo) 8-speaker Bose system. We expect the SE model seats to be
more heavily bolstered for aggressive driving (like the G35 sedan).
The base SL model will come with standard heated seats but optional on
the SE model. As we predicted Nissan will feature an optional
"Elite Package" which removes the rear bench seats for 2
bucket-style seats making this a 4 bucket seat car! According to
Nissan, the console facing the rear passengers is supposed to emulate
the front console which we're guessing means radio and HVAC
controls.
The new Maxima will be assembled for the first time at
Nissan's Smyrna & Decherd Tennessee plants. The plant has
been producing the Altima, Xterra, and Frontier in previous years and
has won quality and efficiency awards so we're hoping the new Maxima
will continue the tradition. Previous Maximas were assembled in Japan
at Nissan's Oppama plant alongside the Infiniti I30/I35.
As for pricing....the current Maxima base model GXE weighs in at
$25,439 MSRP but according to Jack Collins (VP of product planning
at Nissan), the pricing of the 2004 Maxima "which is still being finalized, should range from about $28,000 to $34,000."
We're a bit surprised by the jump in pricing and curious to see if
consumers will quickly embrace the car when it goes on sale in March.
Nissan's obvious aim is to at least differentiate the Maxima apart
from the similar power train equipped Altima 3.5 V-6 with a higher
price ceiling and of course the aforementioned amenities.
Quite honestly, we're not instantly drawn to the new Maxima with lust
but there's a lot of interesting design cues and first in class
features such as the futuristic center console and four bucket seats.
Of course having a powerful 3.5L engine with big brakes and a 6-speed
manual are big pluses. Although the AWD model is absent for now; which
is a bit of let down but we hope some in person perspective and
seat/driving time will make us fall in love with Nissan's flagship
sedan.
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