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03.19.2008
, Nashville, Tenn.
All-New 2009 Nissan Maxima Recaptures Its Place as the True "4-Door Sports Car" Premium Performance Sedan
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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."
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