Nissan Maxima gone in full production

Nissan has officially gone into full production of their new 4-door sporty flagship model, the eight generation 2009 Nissan Maxima. Today the first unit rolled off the assembly line at Nissan's Smyrna, Tenn. manufacturing plant.

The new Maxima is built on Nissan's new D-Platform, but is powered by an upgraded 'old' 3.5 liter VQ V6 engine producing 290 hp, 35 hp more than the outgoing model but still less than the new 3.7 liter V6 with 330 hp (as found in the Infiniti G37). The engine is coupled to a new Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with manual and Ds (drive sport) mode for a more sporty drive.

"We set out to create one of the best performing front engine, front-wheel drive sedans in the world," said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan division, Nissan North America. "The Maxima delivers on all levels offering the value, quality, and exhilarating performance consumers have come to expect from Nissan."

The Nissan Maxima was first introduced in the US back in 1981, and today four of every five sold are still on the road today. The new 2009 model will come in two guises, the Maxima 3.5 S and Maxima 3.5 SV. Pricing will announced before the sales start in early summer 2008.

The New Nissan Maxima

Make way for the all-new 2009 Nissan Maxima. The car which Nissan has branded as "the true 4-Door Sports Car" looks family sedan from the side, but a bit more aggressive from the front.

A seemingly intentional split personality, Nissan North America VP and General Manager Al Castignetti said, "Maxima has always enjoyed a certain ‘duality’ – a unique fusion of sedan practicality with the soul of a sports car." He went on to say, "In recent years, however, competitive vehicles have caught up with Maxima in ‘sporty’ looks and performance. For 2009, Nissan is reclaiming its rich 4-Door Sports Car heritage with an infusion of emotional design, driving excitement and advanced technology – creating a silky, stimulating sports sedan like no other on the road today."

This "duality" did have some significant effect on the design of the new Maxima. Originally, engineers were planning on puting together a Maxima that focused more on family. But inspired by the development of the GT-R, engineers decided instead to build a car that could be called "the best performing front engine, front-wheel, drive car in the world."

To accomplish this, the design team honed in on a redesign of the exterior -including LED taillights and those shark fin style headlights- significant cockpit improvements, and increases in performance.

Nissan will offer two models of the Maxima, the S and SV, each with a 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 as standard. This petrol-burner has a bump of 35 horsepower over last year, with estimated ratings of 290 hp and 261 ft-lb of torque. The '09 shows a modest 9 ft-lb increase over the '08 model year. Engine is mated to a redesigned Xtronic CVT with available paddle-shifters, to replicate the feel of total control. This is a blow to the Maxima, as it might be necessary to have a full manual transmission if they want to compete with the Impreza and Lancer. 18-inch and 19-inch wheels are available as well. The Maxima gets 19mpg in the city, and 26mpg on the highway. This figure is slightly worse than the current model Honda Accord V6.

Optional packages include a sport package with the bigger wheels, tuned suspension, rear spoiler, Xenon headlights, and the paddle shifters. A premium package adds a dual panel moonroof, and several improvements found in the sport set (heated seats, Xenon, heated mirrors, and more). Add on the tech package, and you get a hard drive navigation system, 9.3gb Music Box system, and rearview monitor.

Available for purchase shortly, the all-new 2009 Nissan Maxima will hit showroom floors across the States beginning this summer.