In our anticipation of opening Mazda of Elk Grove, we wanted to invite everyone who is interested to join our New Virtual Community.  Come sign-up and participate in forum discussions, ask technicians questions and simply share your photos and videos and tips and ideas that are all Mazda related.  We look forward to this exciting new adventure. 

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Tuesday, March 24, 2009, 4:28pm PDT

Sacramento Business Journal - by Kelly Johnson Staff writer

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Partners who own the Nissan and Infiniti auto dealerships in the Elk Grove Auto Mall have been awarded a franchise for luxury plug-in hybrid vehicles.

John Driebe and Tom Price are among the first group of North American auto dealers to be appointed to sell and service green automaker Fisker Automotive Inc. vehicles, the automaker announced Tuesday.

In all, 32 retailers confirmed their intent to carry Fisker. The Elk Grove store was the only local site selected in this initial group.

Irvine-based Fisker said that it plans to have 40 locations nationwide by the end of June. Fiskers first vehicle will be the $87,900 Karma sedan.

Price said he and Driebe expect initially to build a small showroom of 1,200 to 1,400 square feet on land near their Nissan and Infiniti dealership, and employ three or four workers. Fisker service would be integrated into the partners existing Elk Grove dealerships. Price said he hopes to start operating early next year.

Price said he also received Fisker appointments for a dealership in Marin County and in Sunnyvale. Price owns or co-owns nine franchises at four locations.

He and Driebe wanted to locate Fisker in Elk Grove, Price said, because it is a growing area and one that they predict will be a strong market for Fisker once the economy recovers.

Many of the car dealerships that signed on with Fisker are family owned, and all understand the need to offer premium customers a vehicle that reduces environmental impact, according to the news release.

Fisker said it is able to attract new franchises despite the recession by keeping startup costs low and not requiring floor-planning beyond demonstrator and display cars.

An added incentive, comes from President Obamas pledge to provide $2.4 billion to support development of plug-in hybrid vehicles and battery technology.

Fisker showrooms will reflect the automakers concern for the environment and its vehicles emission-free capabilities.

They will be eco-facilities, not ego-facilities, said Vic Doolan, Fisker board member. Doolan, who led BMW NA and Volvo Cars NA to record sales in the 1990s and 2000s, was instrumental in guiding development of Fiskers retail network.

The architecture will consist of natural and sustainable materials, including wood and textiles. A solar-powered car port will keep demonstrator vehicles clean, dry and charged.

Founded in 2007, Fisker is backed by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Palo Alto Investors and the Qatar Investment Authority

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Announced today, Nissan of Elk Grove has been voted as the Nissan DealerRater.com Dealer of the Year.  Thank you to all of our clients who have taken the time to rate their experiences in either our sales or service departments.  It is your voice that has been heard, and you have spoken loud and clear that you reccommend our dealership.

 

 

The DealerRater.com Dealer of the Year awards are given each January to car dealerships located in the United States that have the highest PowerScore in their brand category. 

 

Each dealership’s PowerScore is determined using a Bayesian algorithm that factors the dealership’s average DealerRater.com user rating over each of the year’s twelve months and the total number of reviews written about the dealership during the calendar year.  The dealership must also have at least twenty-five (25) new reviews written on DealerRater.com during the previous calendar year and an average rating greater than 4.0, with 5.0 as the highest possible score.  The dealership that’s awarded DealerRater.com’s overall Dealer of the Year is recognized for having a PowerScore that outranks other brand-specific Dealer of the Year winners. 

 

 

About DealerRater.com

DealerRater.com was founded in 2002 as the first car dealer review website worldwide. DealerRater.com is committed to providing a central collection point for informative reviews.  The site currently features more than 24,000 US and International car dealers and over 60,000 user reviews.  DealerRater.com provides the opportunity for users to search for car dealerships, read current reviews, write their own review, and find car deals – all for free.  Car dealers are rated on the criteria of customer service, quality of work, friendliness, price and overall experience.   DealerRater.com users also have the option to recommend the dealer to other users and provide a descriptive review.

Nissan received three segment awards, for the Maxima (Fullsize Car); the GT-R (Luxury Sports Car); and the Murano (Midsize Utility Vehicle).

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If you live in Roseville, Rocklin, Folsom or Lodi - you should take a short drive to the Elk Grove Auto Mall and visit our dealerships.  Not only do we have a huge selection of brand new Nissan models and brand new Infiniti models - We also have a fair priced selection of use cars - Nissan/Infiniti of Elk Grove provides new car confidence at preowned prices. Every preowned vehicle come with an Auto Biography showing you vehicle history, the inspection report, all repair work we have completed plus our exclusive 10 point value guarantee that includes, life time car washes, complementary oil change, full tank of gas, coupons with valuable potential savings and more...

LISBON, Portugal — In this scary spring of $4/gallon gas back home, we really wish that the handful of tiny, oddball econoboxes we just spent two days driving here would make it to dealers in the United States. Sadly, they probably won’t see American soil—at least for a while. Why not? Well, as efficient as some of these smaller Nissans may be, they don’t meet our exacting crash-test safety standards.

But that may change when these vehicles, depending on each model’s life cycle, get a fresh redesign. With ballooning prices at the pump leading to a 40-percent-plus sales increase last month for cars like the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris, every manufacturer is rushing to get more fuel sippers into its lineup. And while it appears that for every breakthrough Nissan Cube, there’s too many mpg-friendly subcompacts not making it to the States, here’s some good news: Motohiro Matsumura, president of Nissan’s North American Technical Center, told us that Nissan (in a co-venture with NEC) will produce its first all-electric vehicle for U.S. buyers by 2010.

Until we see the EV—and we’re still waiting on a lot of plug-in car tech—here are a few examples of how Nissan tackles rising fuel prices with global design sensibility and new internal-combustion technology. —Basem Wasef

Nissan Micra /// 50 mpg

Nissan moved 85,642 units of its European best seller last year, and for good reason: The Micra’s bubbly styling, compact proportions and spacious interior make it a likable workhorse. Not only is its B-platform the first to be shared across vehicles under the Renault-Nissan banner, its success has spawned iterations like the 110-hp 160 SR and the C+C convertible.

For the ultimate in fuel economy, look no further than the Micra’s diesel iteration. Powered by a turbocharged 1.5 liter 2-cylinder that features direct injection and an intercooler, this pint-sized engine produces 86 hp and an impressive 148 lb.-ft. of torque at only 1900 rpm. Though its powerband is narrow and acceleration is nothing to write home about, our time with this stick shift-only diesel shed some light on why the Micra’s package is so appealing—its well-sorted chassis belies its approachable appearance. And besides, all those Europeans can’t be wrong, can they?

Nissan Otti /// 44.7 mpg

It looks like a one-third-scale minivan and drives like a pedal car, but the Otti won us over with its surprisingly roomy interior, well-designed dashboard and endearing personality. Forget about those stereotypically under-equipped econoboxes—this mini minivan features a four-speed automatic transmission, power windows and a power sliding rear cargo door. Though the cabin is narrow enough for you to easily stretch both hands out each front window, the rear seats fold flat for impressive cargo space. No wonder over 39,000 of these were sold in Japan last year.

Driving the 1873-pound Otti will take some getting used to if you like any reasonable amount of oomph; its engine displaces a mere 0.66 liters and produce only 50 hp at 6500 rpm. Hold the pedal to the floor, and this tiny three-cylinder will wheeze itself to frustration before the tranny upshifts. But if you can live with that relatively anemic performance, it’s hard not to enjoy its strangely tall and narrow proportions with all that Lilliputian charm.

Nissan Pino /// 44.7 mpg

Powered by the same 0.66 liter 3-cylinder as the Otti, this little guy has slightly more conventional proportions, thanks to its shorter overall height. Versa-esque headlamps and an egg crate-style grille give the front end some distinction, and its interior is clad with soft-touch upholstery that vaguely resembles certain Louis Vuitton patterns. Who says you can’t have a hint of fashion with your minicar?

The Pino tips the scales at a puny 1697 pounds, making it a tad more exciting in the acceleration department—and the motorcycle-like exhaust note doesn’t hurt, either. While it lacks the Otti’s functionality, the Pino’s more luxurious interior makes it a plusher ride for low-consumption commuting.

Nissan Mocco /// 49.4 mpg

Based on the same Suzuki-sourced platform used in the Otti and Pino, the Bug-eyed Moco dwarfs its tiny wheels with sheetmetal that looks either stylish or wonky, depending on your sensibilities.

Its 54-hp 3-cylinder might make you miss the days of cheap fuel and thirsty V8s, but features like underseat storage, folding seats and an airy cabin give the Moco plenty of personality.

Nissan Note /// 33.6 mpg (petrol), 46 mpg (diesel)

Nissan sold 91,547 Notes in Europe last year, and that sales success can be attributed to its well-finished interior, respectable fuel economy and clever cargo storage compartments. The Note’s 1.5 liter 4-cylinder turbodiesel produces 103 hp at 4000 rpm, with 177 lb.-ft. of torque at only 2000 rpm, all while hitting nearly 50 mpg.

Our time behind the Note’s thick-rimmed wheel passed quickly: Its sporty cabin and top-stitched leather could have easily been confused with a Honda or Toyota, and beefy low-end torque made off-the-line launches entertaining. Because of (or in spite of) its more conventional styling, we could easily see the Note making friends with our oil-starved American roads.

For Release March 19, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. EDT

Nissan Introduces All-New 2009 Nissan Maxima at New York International Auto Show

-    Redesigned, More Powerful Flagship "4-Door Sports Car" Makes World Debut -
  

NEW YORK (March 19, 2008) - Nissan North America, Inc. today unveiled the all-new 2009 Nissan Maxima at the 2008 New York International Auto Show.   The seventh-generation of Nissan's flagship performance sedan features new exterior and interior designs, along with enhanced performance from a revised 290-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine.  The 2009 Maxima goes on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide beginning in early summer 2008. 

Nissan also showed a special design concept electric vehicle, the Denki Cube Concept.  The Denki (Japanese for "electric") Cube Concept is based on the current Japan-market Nissan Cube, a small, space- and fuel-efficient urban car.  Nissan has announced that a gasoline engine-equipped version of the next-generation Nissan Cube will be available in the United States in 2009.

Also on display at the auto show is the dramatic new 480-horsepower Nissan GT-R supercar, which will be available for the first time ever in the United States beginning in July 2008; the recently introduced 2009 Nissan Murano crossover; and the complete lineup of 2008 Nissan cars, SUVs and trucks.  The 2008 New York International Auto Show is open to the public from March 21 through March 30.

About the 2009 Nissan Maxima

Designed as a commanding four-door sports car, the 2009 Nissan Maxima is unique in both appearance and driving feel, with renewed relevance for today's active and ambitious sedan buyers.  High targets were established for the development of the new Maxima, including the goal of creating "the best performing front engine, front-wheel drive car in the world," along with the goals of class-leading acceleration, braking, handling, craftsmanship and cockpit design.

The breakthrough exterior design of the new Maxima imparts a feeling of "liquid motion," which combines an aggressive stance and powerful fender design - not unlike many exotic sports cars on the market today.  Maxima's new stance comes, in part, from a slight reduction in wheelbase and overall length, along with a wider front and rear track.

The new Maxima's interior design team developed an interior concept of "Super Cockpit" - imparting the feeling of sports car with controls ergonomically close, yet with ample roominess and comfort for both driver and passengers.  The interior includes a special driver's sport seat, available leather-appointed seating, offset shifter lever that is closer to the driver, "Daylight Illumination" gauges and a wide range of available technology, including a premium audio system, RearView Monitor and Nissan Hard Drive Navigation system with XM NavTraffic^® real-time traffic information (active XM^® subscription required, sold separately), Voice Recognition and 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive. 

The new Maxima offers a more powerful engine, quicker acceleration response and a performance-oriented tuned exhaust note.  The 2009 Maxima again features a standard award-winning 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve VQ-series V6 engine, enhanced and refined to take driving performance to new levels.  The revised engine is now rated at 290 horsepower and 261 lb-ft of torque (estimated), increases of 35 horsepower and 9 lb-ft of torque over the 2008 Maxima engine.  All 2009 Maximas come equipped with a revised standard Xtronic CVT™ with manual mode, tuned specifically for Maxima's sporty driving character, and available paddle shifters.  A new "Ds mode" (drive sport) is added to the CVT for 2009. 

About Nissan

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing.  More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.nissannews.com.

03.19.2008 , Nashville, Tenn. All-New 2009 Nissan Maxima Recaptures Its Place as the True "4-Door Sports Car" Premium Performance Sedan - Aggressive Styling, Refined Platform, More Powerful V6, Cockpit-like Interior and Enhanced Quality Highlight Changes to Seventh Generation of Nissan's Flagship Sedan - The 2009 Nissan Maxima, which makes its world debut at the 2008 New York International Auto Show, marks a return to the longtime Nissan flagship sedan's roots as a commanding 4-door sports car - a vehicle that is unique in both appearance and driving feel, with renewed relevance for today's active and ambitious sedan buyers. In other words, the Maxima is back. The all-new 2009 Maxima will be offered as two well-equipped models, Maxima 3.5 S and Maxima 3.5 SV, and is scheduled to arrive at Nissan dealers nationwide in early summer 2008. "Maxima has always enjoyed a certain 'duality' - a unique fusion of sedan practicality with the soul of a sports car," said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. "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." 2009 Maxima: Reborn at the "Ring" "Do-overs" are sometimes allowed in sports but rarely in the automotive industry. Yet midway through the development of the new-generation Maxima a mulligan was indeed granted. Rather than continue with an evolution of the previous highly successful Maxima design, the creators of the 2009 Maxima stopped and rethought the entire direction. Inspired by the concurrent top secret development of the 2009 Nissan GT-R supercar, they threw away positioning words like "conservative" and "balanced" and concentrated instead on new concepts like "addictive performance," "striking," "commanding" and "powerful." High targets were established, including the goal of creating "the best performing front engine, front-wheel drive car in the world," along with class-leading acceleration, braking, handling, workmanship and cockpit design. "We aren't walking away from the strengths of the last generation Maxima, which was rated the top-ranked vehicle in AutoPacific's 2007 Vehicle Satisfaction Award for Luxury Mid-Size Cars and a winner of Strategic Vision's 2007 Total Quality Award? for Best Medium Car Ownership Experience," said Castignetti. "However, complacency breeds complacent vehicles. The new Maxima demanded taking risks in order to ultimately come up with a much more exciting and rewarding vehicle." Three key areas were singled out for change: exterior design, which needed to be more aggressive, with more personality and attitude; a "super" cockpit, creating an interior that combines a driver orientation with high quality, roominess and user-friendly technology; and class-leading performance, enhancing what previous generation owners called "Maxima-ness." To further push the performance envelope, the development team challenged themselves to concentrate their efforts on "emotional engineering" - to experience Maxima with the five senses in a purer, more visceral manner, rather than through CAD drawings and computer simulations. As each designer and engineer set and exceeded higher and higher targets, they realized that confirmation of the results would require validation on the road. But not just any road. Members of the development team traveled to Germany's famed Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit - not coincidentally the site of much of the GT-R's performance development work - to test Maxima prototypes. Special attention was placed on body rigidity, suspension and steering, along with honing Maxima's competitiveness against some well-established European sports sedans. "A number of product changes came directly from the Nürburgring trials, including enhancements to the braking and transmission systems," said Castignetti. "But more importantly, it gave notice to the entire Nissan organization that the new Maxima is back solidly in the performance arena where it rightfully belongs." Aggressive Design Adds a "Wow" Factor to the Sedan Category While seeking to create a simple-yet-strong presence, the designers of the new Maxima's exterior also wanted to re-assert Maxima's breakthrough personality - establishing a "wow" level of style that would clearly distinguish it from segment competitors. The exterior design theme for the new Maxima is "Liquid Motion" - focusing on the flow of its powerful and beautiful surfaces, like the undulation of a wave. The look starts with Maxima's aggressive stance and powerful fender volume, which is not unlike many exotic sports cars on the market today. This deeply sculpted body/fender treatment is seldom used for mass market vehicles because of the engineering and manufacturing complexity required to physically accomplish it. Maxima's new stance is created by a slight reduction in wheelbase and overall length, along with a wider front and rear track. Maxima's new look imparts a strong, premium presence. The large, wraparound L-shaped headlights add a unique dimension to the overall design, while the light surrounds suggest a powerful "turbine" appearance of energy and strength. The upturned headlight shape combines with a wide grille, large bumper opening and bulging "catamaran-style" hood to give Maxima a formidable expression, setting the tone for the rest of the vehicle. The powerful Maxima form continues along its profile, with careful layering of the bumper, hood and fender parting lines. The polished, elegant motion spreads from the deep-waisted rear fenders through distinctive Maxima-style C-pillars and high trunk lid. Dimensionally, versus the previous generation, the new Maxima measures the same width at the doors but wider at each fender, which not only helps project a sporty appearance but also allows a reduction in the visual gap between the fenders and wheels and tires. Maxima's dynamic performance stance is accented by 18-inch and available 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with low-profile performance tires. Another new styling feature is the available Dual Panel Moonroof, which is traditionally offered only in luxury segments. The Dual Panel Moonroof includes a front section that moves like a normal moonroof (positioned farther forward than typical), with a very wide opening to provide an open-air motoring feeling. There is also a fixed translucent rear section that provides light to rear seat passengers. The overall design gives the appearance that the entire roof is composed of black glass. The Dual Panel Moonroof includes dual power sunshades for both the front and rear glass sections, adding a level of convenience. At the rear, Maxima features a new 12-LED L-shaped taillight design, with a pair of side marker bulbs for added visibility during night driving. "Maxima's breathtaking new exterior gives it a commanding, almost coupe-like appearance, with plenty of driveway appeal," said Castignetti. "It's one sedan that will definitely be noticed by the next door neighbors, along with a lot of other people." Maxima is available in a choice of eight exterior colors: Winter Frost, Super Black, Navy Blue, Tuscan Sun, Radiant Silver, Mystic Jade, Precision Gray and Dark Slate. Leading-Edge Sports Sedan Performance Platform For five previous generations, Maxima has been built on a front-wheel drive (FWD) platform. Yet with the new Maxima's development team everything was open for discussion, including the benefits of front-wheel drive versus rear-wheel drive (RWD). Although there are well-known advantages of RWD in terms of sporty handling, it was ultimately decided that by switching Maxima from its previous platform to Nissan's new "D platform," which was first introduced on the current Nissan Altima Sedan, Hybrid and Coupe, the target Maxima performance could be delivered - without giving up the added FWD benefits of lower costs, lower weight and enhanced roominess versus a RWD platform. "As demonstrated time and again with the new Altima, the new Nissan D platform is an amazing piece of engineering - providing responsive handling while virtually eliminating the torque steer often associated with high horsepower FWD applications," said Castignetti. "For the new Maxima, we've continued to refine the D platform, creating what we believe is one of the best-performing front-wheel drive car in the world, far above other FWD vehicles in its class. It's a level of performance that we think will be highly addictive." In creating driving performance worthy of Nissan's flagship, the Maxima's body and chassis engineering teams worked together to create a secure feeling, virtually no torque steer during acceleration and a level of nimbleness that ultimately makes a car fun to drive. A range of enhancements helped achieve these targets, including increasing body rigidity and adjusting the wheelbase and track dimensions. Body rigidity was increased by 15 percent and front strut mounting rigidity was increased by 100 percent, with all-new structures added to the engine compartment and additional reinforcement applied to the instrument panel structure. Maximas equipped with the Sport or Premium Packages feature a panel behind the rear seat that improves torsional rigidity by 17 percent versus models with a fold-down rear seat (a rear trunk pass-through is utilized with this panel). The 2009 Maxima has a wheelbase of 109.3 inches, a decrease of 1.9 inches versus the 2008 Maxima, and width has been increased by 1.5 inches to 73.2 inches. The front and rear track measurement of 62.4 inches represents increases of 1.4 inches front and 1.2 inches rear over the previous model. Additional "D platform" enhancements include the use of aluminum suspension links, revised suspension geometry, new technology shocks, revised steering and suspension geometries, a lower engine mounting and application of a new Xtronic CVT™ (Continuously Variable Transmission), all of which contribute to minimal torque steer and improved handling prowess. A Refined Engine and CVT Compared to the previous generation, the new Maxima offers more horsepower and torque, providing quicker acceleration response and a special "Maxima Sound" - a satisfying, sporty sounding exhaust note. For 2009, Maxima again features a standard 3.5-liter VQ-series V6 engine, enhanced and refined to take its driving performance to new levels. The revised engine features a modular engine design with microfinished crank journals and cam lobes, molybdenum coated lightweight pistons, a resin intake collector, digital knock control, six individual coils (one per spark plug) and a cross-flow coolant pattern. Also utilized are a Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS), a variable induction system, a silent timing chain and electronically controlled throttle. In refining the award-winning VQ-series V6 for use in the new Maxima, engine development engineers focused on three areas - increasing air intake, increasing fuel burn efficiency and lowering exhaust backpressure. Steps utilized to improve air intake included increasing intake manifold collector port diameter, adding a second power valve in the intake manifold, changing intake collector material to resin for less mass and more flow, redesigning the shape of the intake valves and increasing the throttle chamber diameter. Fuel burn efficiency was improved by increasing the engine's compression ratio to 10.6:1 (from 10.3:1), changing the piston shape for reduction of friction and weight, and adding exhaust-side continuous valve timing control (quad valve timing system). Exhaust backpressure was reduced through optimizing the exhaust system layout. The 2009 Maxima's 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 is now rated at 290 horsepower and 261 lb-ft of torque (estimated), increases of 35 horsepower and 9 lb-ft of torque over the 2008 Maxima. Significant development time was also spent on enhancing the sporty engine sound for an increased "exhilaration feeling." The new Maxima also utilizes additional sound absorption material and a new "sound creator" to enhance induction sound. Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) performance has been improved through a number of measures, including adoption of a new six-point engine mounting system. The system, which replaces the previous generation Maxima's four-point mounting, includes upper and lower torque rods, high rigidity front and rear aluminum brackets and front and rear switchable control mounts to improve NVH performance under high engine torque conditions. All 2009 Maximas come equipped with a revised Xtronic CVT™ with manual mode, tuned specifically for Maxima's sporty driving character. The Maxima development team finessed the previous CVT design to improve responsiveness and strike a balance between sport and comfort, ultimately creating a transmission that provides a true synergy between engine and transmission, along with smooth, responsive and efficient operation. For drivers seeking the utmost in vehicle control, a new "Ds mode" (drive sport) has been added to the CVT for 2009. "Ds mode" is an electronic control logic, that enhances sport driving through increased acceleration feel with higher engine revolutions, automatic engine braking and maintaining engine speed during cornering. Ds mode takes advantage of the CVT's infinite selections of available gear ratios and is able to select the right gear, the right time, all the time. This enhances the emotional, sporty feel while driving on canyon roads or city streets. Whether it is upshifting through the gears while accelerating, or automatic engine braking (downshifting) when coming into a corner, Ds mode is able to match vehicle speed and engine rpm with the driver's intended acceleration input. Ds mode, combined with the sound creator, creates an emotional experience not available on any other CVT vehicle. Available paddle shifters, mounted on the steering column, allow manual transmission shift changes for varying scenarios - such as winding roads - while the driver's hands remain on the wheel for optimum vehicle control. "The enhancements to the new Maxima's already industry leading CVT, especially the addition of the new Ds mode, help us realize the full potential of the Xtronic technology, including the controller and adaptive logic," said Castignetti. "It's like having an 'automatic' manual mode - with lightning quick gear ratio changes going into turns and auto gear hold out of turns. You've got to feel it to believe it." Fuel economy is estimated to be 19 miles per gallon City, 26 miles per gallon Highway (final EPA figures to announced at a later date) - similar to that of the 2008 Maxima, despite the 2009 Maxima's 35 additional horsepower. Advanced Suspension, Steering and Braking Maxima's suspension is designed to be both stimulating and relaxing, combining responsive handling with a comfortable ride. The subframe-mounted strut/coil spring front suspension makes extensive use of lightweight aluminum parts. An X-type upper cowl structure helps establish front body rigidity for suspension mounting. Maxima's multi-link independent rear suspension design, also subframe-mounted, offers outstanding handling by minimizing camber change during cornering. The rear shock absorbers and springs are separated for minimized friction and the shocks are in line with the center of the rear wheels, providing excellent damping and minimal harshness. Front and rear stabilizer bars are standard. Braking is provided by standard 4-wheel disc brakes with a 4-channel, 4-sensor, 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). The system features new vented rear disc brakes with larger rear rotors (versus the previous generation Maxima) and a variable ratio linkage for a secure feel The 2009 Maxima features a new Twin Orifice Power Steering (TOPS) vehicle-speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering system, similar to that utilized on the Nissan 350Z. The system features high accuracy gear, which is designed to offer improved high performance response, along with ease of driving at low speeds and a stable feel at high speed. Maxima has the quickest steering ratio of any Nissan sedan (15.2:1) to help provide its sporty steering feel. A new strut tower brace also contributes to Maxima's improved steering precision and rigidity. Every 2009 Maxima offers standard 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and V-rated P245/45R18 all-season tires. The Maxima 3.5 SV model with Sport Package features 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with P245/40R19 all-season or summer performance tires. "With major improvements in engine horsepower and torque, along with the many enhancements to the CVT programming and addition of 'Ds mode,' we expect the new Maxima to be among the best performers in class in terms of acceleration and driving feel," said Castignetti. "Add in its tuned performance exhaust, the virtual lack of torque steer, nimble handling, controlled body movements and linear steering and braking feel, and Maxima stands out as the most exciting and exhilarating performance sedan in class." "Super Cockpit" Interior Another challenge in designing a true sports sedan is creating an attractive, intimate, sporty cockpit feel for the driver without compromising the traditional sedan attributes of passenger comfort, roominess and utility. The new Maxima's interior design team developed an interior concept of "Super Cockpit, but with Space" - the feeling of a sports car with controls ergonomically close, yet with ample roominess and comfort for both driver and passengers. Key design words emphasized during development were "impressive and silky," "high touch," "craftsmanship" and "high tech." Every aspect of the interior layout, including the size and shape of touch points and placement of features, was improved for a better driving experience. The shifter lever, for example, was placed closer to the driver and falls easily to hand. This also allowed a cupholder to be placed to the right of the shifter device, not behind it. The transmission's manual mode gate has been moved toward the driver for a more intuitive action. To enhance the "cockpit feel" of the new Maxima's interior, the center console has been raised, and a premium quality feel is provided through the extensive use of soft touch materials, as well as soft, deep pads where an arm or elbow may rest. The high quality feeling is also expressed with "Daytime Illumination" electroluminescent meters, with a special tilting of the tachometer so engine redline is placed at the 12 o'clock position, and extensive use of chrome surrounds for the gauges, vent rings, vent knobs and audio switches. The new Maxima's three-spoke steering wheel is sport-oriented and its diameter has been reduced (compared with the previous Maxima) for improved feeling. Maxima Sport and Premium Package models feature a unique "parallel" pattern steering wheel stitching (versus the traditional baseball-style stitching) for enhanced grip. Much development attention was spent on the 2009 Maxima's driver's seat, or "the Chair." The special driver's seat includes an available manual thigh extension for long distance driving, additional support in the side bolsters for good lateral support during sporty driving, as well as added seat height adjustability. The new Maxima's seat height is 0.8 inches lower (at its lowest setting), which also enhances the sporty driver's feel. The seat is also available with heating and cooling functions and premium leather-appointed surfaces with special stitching. Also available are power lower lumbar and memory function. The new Maxima's front and rear seats share a common design theme for added harmony and cockpit feeling. The front seatbacks include a new slim, sculpted design, resulting in additional rear passenger knee room. The 2009 Maxima is available with two different rear seat layouts - a 60/40 fold-down rear seat with access to the trunk, and a fixed rear seat with center armrest pass-through for carrying long items such as skis or other sporting equipment. Three interior colors are offered for 2009: Café Latté, Frost and Charcoal. "The new Maxima is more tailored and refined than any Maxima that has come before, while maintaining a high-touch, high-tech sporty feel," said Castignetti. "Its craftsmanship is outstanding, as is the quality look and feel - making Maxima an easy vehicle to enjoy, even when sitting still." Comfort and convenience features include a standard moonroof, 8-way power drivers seat and 4-way power adjustable front passenger seat, dual-zone automatic temperature control, cruise control with illuminated steering wheel mounted controls, Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition, power windows and door locks, AM/FM/CD6/MP3 audio system with 8 speakers and an available Interface System for iPod Maxima 3.5 SV models add leather-appointed sport seats, an advanced Bose® premium audio system with 9 speakers (including two subwoofers and a center channel speaker), speed-sensitive volume control and Radio Data System (RDS), HomeLink® Universal Transceiver, fog lights and outside mirrors with turn signal indicators. A number of packages are also offered, including the Sport Package with sport-tuned suspension, 19-inch wheels, rear spoiler, High Intensity Discharge (HID) Xenon headlights, heated outside mirrors with reverse tilt-down features, automatic entry/exit system with two-driver memory, heated front seats and steering wheel, paddle shifters, metallic link trim, Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System, XM® Satellite Radio (active XM® subscription required, sold separately), premium leather-appointed seats and more. The Premium Package includes the Dual Panel Moonroof with rear roof window and front and rear power retractable sunshades, High Intensity Discharge (HID) Xenon headlights, heated outside mirrors with reverse tilt-down features, automatic entry/exit system with two-driver memory, heated front seats and steering wheel, paddle shifters, premium leather-appointed seats, Eucalyptus wood-tone trim, 7.0-inch color monitor, RearView Monitor, Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System, XM® Satellite Radio (active XM® subscription required, sold separately) and more. Several Tech Packages are available, including the Maxima 3.5 SV Tech Package, which includes an advanced Nissan Hard Drive Navigation System with Voice Recognition, 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive, XM NavTraffic® with Real-Time Traffic Information (active XM® subscription required, sold separately), 7.0-inch color monitor, XM® Satellite Radio (active XM® subscription required, sold separately), RearView Monitor and Interface System for iPod®. The 2009 Maxima comes equipped with standard Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage front supplemental air bags, front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags for chest protection and roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags for front and rear outboard occupant head protection. Also standard are front-seat Active Head Restraints, 3-point rear seat belts for all seating positions, front seat belts with adjustable upper anchors, pretensioners and load limiters, emergency inside trunk release, Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones, LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). The 2009 Maxima also features a standard Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System (TCS). The 2009 Nissan Maxima will be assembled by Nissan North America Manufacturing Smyrna & Decherd Tennessee Plants. Maxima Is Better Than Ever "Our goal was to keep Maxima relevant to sports sedan enthusiasts, maintaining excitement and segment leadership," said Castignetti. "Breakthrough design can only be accomplished by breaking through the limits you place on yourself. The passion and vision demonstrated by the Maxima development team has energized the entire organization. In the long, proud history of Maxima, this is one to remember." # # # TO DOWNLOAD THESE PHOTOS AND MORE IN HIGH RESOLUTION VISIT WWW.NISSANNEWS.COM

Seeking a Symbiosis of People, Vehicles and Nature

Nissan's philosophy towards the environment, "Seeking a symbiosis of people, vehicles and nature," decribes our idea for a sustainable mobile society, now and in the future.  To contribute to the creation of a sustainable mobile society, Nissan continues to seek new ways to address environmental challenges.  Our primary focus at the moment is a reduction in CO2 emissions. We are taking action not just for the present generation, but for future ones as well, striving to preserve our global environment.

 

Nissan is aiming to become a "sincere eco-innovator."

 

For our planet's present and future generations:

• Sincere: To pro-actively address the environmental challenges and reduce the load on the environment
• Eco-innovator: To develop a sustainable mobile society, we will provide customers with innovative technology in our products

To learn more about the Nissan Green Program, including their initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions, please visit www.nissanusa.com/about/green-program/index.html

 

Real-World Economy

Presenting features that enhance fuel efficiency

The sharp spike in gas prices last summer put fuel economy front and center in the minds of many drivers. Yet luxury buyers still expect outstanding performance. Infiniti vehicles are engineered to balance efficiency with capability.

Infiniti offers a competitive lineup when it comes to fuel economy. But it’s important to remember that efficiency isn’t measured solely in fuel economy numbers.

Here’s a roundup of key features on Infiniti vehicles that contribute to real-world economy.

Infiniti's engines are designed for efficiency as well as performance

Efficient Power Production

It all starts with the engine, and every Infiniti features double overhead cam (DOHC) design, four valves per cylinder, and Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS) for enhanced engine efficiency. Several Infiniti vehicles take the advantage a step further with Variable Valve Event and Lift (VVEL), which enhances acceleration, increases fuel efficiency, and reduces exhaust emissions.

A wide variety of lightweight components — aluminum-alloy, composite, even titanium — reduce engine weight and allow the engine to warm up more quickly (a cold engine tends to use more fuel). Specialized coatings and microfinished surfaces reduce potentially power-robbing friction between moving parts.  For efficient control of incoming air and fuel, look to intake manifold design, electronic drive-by-wire system, and electronic sequential multi-point fuel injection.

 

 

Mileage Really Does Vary

Beginning with the 2008 model year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) changed its testing procedures to more accurately reflect real-world driving conditions. The result was generally lower city/highway mileage estimates — for Infiniti and the competition — even on vehicles with no mechanical changes.

Remember, the decline in fuel economy estimates does not mean the actual fuel economy customers experience has changed. As the saying goes, your mileage may vary.

 

The Transfer of Power

The hunt for miles per gallon doesn’t end with a fuel-sipping engine, so all Infiniti automatic and manual transmissions include one or more overdrive gears that allow the engine to operate at lower rpm at highway speeds, thereby using less gas when cruising.

Surrounding these state-of-the-art powertrains are bodies styled not only to look great but also to direct airflow over and around the vehicle in a uniquely efficient manner. When aerodynamic design reduces the amount of power needed to propel the vehicle, fuel economy increases. Even features as seemingly insignificant as the spare tire can come into play — without ever having a flat. Compact spares reduce overall vehicle weight; aluminum-alloy spare wheels pare off additional pounds.

Speaking of tires, remind customers that proper inflation plays a major role in fuel efficiency. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) helps alert drivers to extremely low tire pressures, but may not signal the minor amounts of pressure loss that can affect fuel economy. However, systems that display the air pressure for each individual tire in the “trip” section of the Vehicle Information System offer a convenient alternative to checking tire air pressure with a manual gauge.

  

 

Gauging Efficiency

Driving style has a huge effect on fuel economy. But just knowing how their driving habits relate to fuel consumption can help some drivers achieve better mileage. One useful tool is the fuel efficiency gauge provided on some of the newest Infiniti models (and coming on even more). Based on trials in Japan, drivers have tended to improve their driving habits over time when prompted by real-time fuel efficiency readings.

 

XM NavTraffic® can help customers avoid traffic bottlenecks that reduce gas mileage

 In addition, drivers can use the Infiniti Navigation System to help create the most efficient route among multiple destinations without unnecessary backtracking. And vehicles equipped with XMNavTraffic®¹ can display continuously updated traffic information in selected metropolitan areas, helping drivers avoid wasteful idling time.

Automotive technology is always on the move, and Infiniti has even more fuel-saving ideas under development. But be sure to understand that Infiniti’s forward-thinking engineering means you don’t have to wait for the “vehicles of tomorrow” to get vehicles that were designed with fuel efficiency in mind.

1 Required XM radio and XM NavTraffic monthly subscriptions sold separately after a three-month trial period. Installation costs and other fees and taxes may apply, including a one-time activation fee. XM NavTraffic only available in select markets. Subscription fee is consumer only. All fees and programming subject to change. Subscriptions subject to Customer Agreement available at xmradio.com. XM service only available in the 48 contiguous United States and Canada. The XM name and XM NavTraffic are registered trademarks of XM Satellite Radio Inc.