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New Nissan Maxima Due In June
The new Maxima sedan defines the Nissan concept of modern elegance - at an affordable price. It delivers a blend of bold styling and distinctive luxury that adds a competitive edge in both the Australian medium and large car segments. And with a new two-engine strategy, Nissan will attract new customers to the Maxima range. The big news for the new Maxima is a new 2.5-litre version of Nissan’s VQ engine. The VQ25 engine powers the ST-L variant which enters the market - priced at $33,990 (RRP). Equipped to a very high level, the Maxima ST-L offers a smooth and powerful 134 kW six-cylinder engine, new 6-speed M-Mode X-TRONIC continuously variable automatic transmission, Xenon headlights, LED taillights and 17-inch alloy wheels, all wrapped up in a fresh, modern exterior. Importantly, the 250 ST-L returns a competitive 9.5 litres/100 kms fuel economy (combined cycle). The spacious, welcoming and luxurious interior is well equipped with standard black leather upholstery, dual zone climate control air conditioning, and a six-stacker CD player with AUX-in and MP3 compatibility. The driver is pampered with an 8-way power seat with lumbar adjustment (4-way power adjust for the front passenger) and pushbutton engine start. In addition, the new Nissan Maxima delivers a full complement of safety features such as six airbags, including curtain airbags, active front head restraints, and ABS with VDC dynamic stability control. The new Nissan Maxima utilises the company’s new D platform and incorporates improvements in the key areas of ride and handling, NVH and safety. Many features, including the rear spoiler, wheel design and seat trim, were designed exclusively for the Australian market. Nissan Australia product planners worked extensively with Nissan Japan to tailor the new J32 Maxima for the local market. Medium 4 cylinder FWD Competitor The high level of standard luxury features gives the new Maxima 250 ST-L a very compelling argument with which to compete in the busy and sizeable medium four-cylinder front-wheel drive market. The VQ25 six-cylinder engine is as silky smooth as it is frugal and responsive. The new Nissan Maxima ST-S and Ti premium sedans feature a further refined version of the VQ35DE series V6 engine, again in 3.5 litre capacity, delivering 185 kW power – up 15 kW on the outgoing model. With its luxury car specification, the new Nissan Maxima now has new-found impetus to make deeper inroads into the Australian large car market. The VQ 3.5 litre engine gives the Maxima ability to appeal to customers who may previously have considered locally-made rear-drive or front-drive big-sixes, in addition to customers of imported front-wheel drive six-cylinder class vehicles from Japan, Korea and Europe. Over and above the specification of the 250 ST-L model, the mid-range 3.5 litre powered 350 ST-S version adds rear parking sensors, rear boot spoiler, Intelligent Key keyless entry system and heated front seats priced at $37,990 (RRP). The top of the range Maxima Ti model adds DVD satellite navigation with 3D mapping, a large 7-inch full colour touch screen, exclusive to Nissan in this segment DVD player, reversing camera with predictive path technology and an 11-speaker premium BOSE audio system with auxiliary MP3 player input jack. Bluetooth hands-free mobile phone technology is also included, controlled by steering wheel buttons, and the package is topped off by an electric glass slide and tilt sunroof. The Nissan Maxima 350 Ti is priced at $46,990 (RRP). The all new model arrives in showrooms in early June, replacing the fourth generation J31 Maxima launched in Australia in 2003. This was the most successful Maxima since introduction of the Maxima lineage in 1990; and Nissan expects the fifth generation will continue to grow its share in this market. "We’re Doubling the Appeal of Maxima" Nissan Motor Co (Australia) Chief Executive Officer, Dan Thompson said the new Nissan Maxima offers a significant opportunity for Nissan in Australia. "The new Maxima will play an increasingly important role in the large and medium car market by offering the best blend of distinctive luxury - at an attainable price," he said. "We are doubling the appeal of the new Maxima in Australia with our new two-engine model strategy and a very attractive entry price. The new 2.5-litre V6 engine, the sharp pricing right in the heart of the four-cylinder market and the unprecedented high level of luxury features as standard, makes the Maxima 250 ST-L unbeatable. For a start, no one else in this market sector offers leather upholstery as standard." "We are making four-cylinder large car customers an offer they can’t afford to ignore in the Maxima ST-L," he said. "And with the elegant Maxima ST-S and Ti sedans, an impressive ride and luxurious appointments will give the new Maxima the 'muscle' to grow its sales in the upper end of the large car market where there are many customers looking for unparalleled value," said Thompson.
Exterior Design With its modern styling, impressive ride comfort and thoughtful appointments for all passengers, the new Nissan Maxima has been designed and engineered to provide lasting value in a modern luxury sedan. The new Nissan Maxima utilises the company’s new D platform (along with the new Murano). Over the new platform sits a body that has been designed to reflect the attention to detail its owners demand in other aspects of their lives. The overall dimensions are reminiscent of the previous Maxima, but in design and detail the new model is fresher, more contemporary. The body is defined by its bold yet elegant character line, which forms a sweeping arc extending from the front to the rear of the vehicle. The powerful front end is highlighted by a new grille, bumper and headlight design. The grille is composed of horizontal bars, with a three-dimensional look as if cut from a sphere, while the Xenon headlights have a vertical look that flows dynamically from the front. The lamps have washers and an automatic-on function. The body side treatment blends richly flared panels with boldly curved lines. The elegant, 'six light' windows are designed to emphasise the luxurious space of the interior. The door mirrors have been wind-tunnel honed to minimise noise and contain the repeater flashers for the indicators in their housing. The sculpted combination taillights project out from the body, emphasising width. The new Nissan Maxima is available in a choice of six colours. The new Nissan Maxima features standard 17 inch alloy wheels (and rear spoiler on ST-S and Ti models) that were specified especially for the Australian market.
Interior design The new Nissan Maxima boasts an interior that has been meticulously executed with an emphasis on comfort and space. Part of the secret of the interior of the new Nissan Maxima is that its seats are rather special. They feature a vibration absorption urethane cushion material and are shaped so that the occupant’s entire body is uniformly supported for optimum ride comfort. The double-stitching and three-dimensional shape of the seats conveys an enhanced sense of quality and outstanding workmanship. The driver’s seat incorporates an adjustable lumbar support mechanism that reduces fatigue on long drives. The new instrument panel design is highlighted by soft padding and the centre cluster panel is integrated with the instrument panel. A new centre console design, which combines angular and wave-like cues, projects a three-dimensional image. Mood lighting illuminates the centre console and the passengers’ door assist grips, which also feature an ergonomic wave-like line for a distinctly fresh look. Leather trim is standard on all models along with electrically adjustable front seats. The 350 ST-S model adds heated front seats and for the 350 Ti model the front seats have memory settings. Dual zone climate control air conditioning is standard on all models. A new Bose surround sound audio system fitted to the Ti model is designed to deliver concert hall sound quality via 11 speakers. The multiple channels of this digital surround sound system reproduce the sounds of musical instruments and singing voices with a real, three-dimensional Bose Centerpoint™ signal processing circuitry that also reproduces two-channel asynchronous sound sources such as conventional CDs and DVDs in a 5.1-channel surround sound format for listening quality comparable to that of home theatre systems. The new Nissan Maxima 350 Ti model also offers Nissan’s DVD satellite navigation system, featuring a touch panel screen for greatly improved ease of operation. In addition to navigation functionality, the system incorporates enhanced entertainment capabilities, including DVD audio/video playback (when vehicle is stationary). It also includes a Bluetooth hands-free interface for safe telephone call management while driving. Nissan’s Intelligent Key keyless entry system is fitted to the 350 ST-S and 350 Ti models. This system provides improved anti-theft functionality, engine immobiliser and other deterrents linked to the ID code stored in the key fob. The proximity system means the driver just walks up to the car, with key fob in possession, and touches a button on the door handle to gain entry. All models feature a push button start, with the button located adjacent to the steering wheel on the driver’s side of the centre console stack. Further new features include Auxiliary/MP3 player input jack, electric folding door mirrors and speed sensitive hydraulic power steering on all models. Powertrain The fundamental attributes of the new VQ25DE engine and the VQ35DE V6 engines have been honed to deliver performance! The new 2.5 litre VQ25DE engine generates maximum power of 134 kW at 6,000 rpm and maximum torque of 228 Nm at 4,400 rpm. The larger 3.5 litre VQ35DE engine produces maximum power of 185 kW at 6,000 rpm and maximum torque of 326 Nm at 4,400 rpm. Both these VQ engines deliver 80 per cent of their maximum torque at 1,600 rpm for exceptional driving ease, combined with smooth, effortless revving to 6,000 rpm for sparkling acceleration. The VQ engines utilise a six-point engine mounting system that better disperses engine torque-induced vibration, and has lower spring constants for reduced engine noise during start-off acceleration. All new Nissan Maxima models are fitted with Nissan’s new X-TRONIC CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) incorporating Adaptive Shift Control (ASC), a newly developed shift control system. ASC adapts the shift timing according to the driver’s personal driving style and the driving environment in order to optimise both power performance and fuel economy. A 6-speed manual mode (M-Mode) is featured for manual operation of the transmission when required. Chassis The new Nissan Maxima is among the first Nissan models to feature the newly developed D platform. This platform optimally balances a flat, comfortable ride with the quietness, superb handling and stability of a luxury-class vehicle. To boost body rigidity, which enhances NVH properties, the new Nissan Maxima adopts an X-shaped cowl top structure. This provides better coupling stiffness with the instrument panel, as well as adding a new joint member structure for greater coupling stiffness between the upper and lower structures. Along with the extensive use of a high grade of ultra-high tensile steel (980 MPa class), the body has a multiple load path construction that better absorbs and disperses impact energy and saves weight. The newly developed front suspension incorporates shock absorbers with built-in rebound springs that suppress the extension stroke during body roll to provide stable cornering performance. A newly developed multi-link suspension is used at the rear with shock absorbers positioned closer to the tyres to provide excellent driving stability, even at a lower level of damping force. Extra attention was also paid to the control of noise, vibration and harshness. Low interior noise levels are achieved through effective isolation of noise outside the cabin by applying paint sealer and foam materials to block tiny holes and gaps in the body structure and by optimally positioning sound-absorbing materials. Safety and the environment The new Nissan Maxima includes a full complement of safety equipment with standard features that include Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), front, side and curtain airbags, and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Traction Control System, Brake Assist and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution. In addition to safety features taken for granted, the new Maxima adds a reversing camera with Predictive Path technology on the Ti model to assist drivers negotiating tricky reversing manoeuvres. This technology displays the intended path of the car while reversing to enable the driver to make corrections while proceeding. Passive safety systems include a driver’s seatbelt with double pre-tensioners (shoulder/lap belts), a front seat belt with pre-tensioner and two-stage load limiter, the high-strength Zone Body construction, an impact-energy-absorbing body structure for mitigating pedestrian injuries, as well as front airbags, side front airbags and curtain airbags. Front active head restraints are also fitted. The new Nissan Maxima is also environmentally sensitive, with both engines achieving the strict Japanese ULEV emission certification by a comfortable margin. In addition, more than 95 per cent of the Maxima is recyclable. Looking at the new Nissan Maxima model line-up There are three new Nissan Maxima models, all six-cylinder powered, and all well equipped. 2009 Nissan Maxima 250 ST-L $33,990 (RRP) Technical Interior Safety 2009 Nissan Maxima 350 ST-S $37,990 (RRP) As Maxima 250 ST-L plus: 2009 Nissan Maxima 350 Ti $46,990 (RRP) As Maxima 350 ST-S plus: | ||||||||||||||||||
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