Detroit Auto Show: 2004 Maxima Sports Sedan and 2004 Quest Minivan
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"The 2003 Nissan vehicle lineup clearly demonstrates Nissan's objective to develop vehicles that stand out in terms of styling, performance, comfort, convenience and technology -- offering unmatched levels of both fun and functionality," said Bill Kirrane, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division.
2004 Nissan Maxima
The all-new 2004 Nissan Maxima continues the formula passed down from five previous generations -- an unmatched blend of performance and luxury. The sixth generation Maxima combines traditional Maxima performance with expressive sports styling and bold innovation to create a top-of-the-line sports sedan.
Maxima continues to utilize the award-winning VQ 3.5-liter engine. The DOHC 24-valve V6 has been refined to produce 265 horsepower and 255 lb-ft torque. An all-new multi-link independent rear suspension provides superior handling and increased ride comfort.
Maxima's reputation doesn't end with its performance, it now has the style to match. It has expressive sports styling and bold design innovations including a new Skyview(TM) roof, with glass panels running lengthwise over the front and rear seats, and a new Elite Package, which features a fixed, full rear center console that creates true 4-passenger seating.
Maxima's powerful design begins with its chiseled, muscular shape with pronounced character lines. Its arched design creates an expansive and highly strengthened structural image, while the broad beltline creates a strong and integrated impression from front to rear. The distinctive C-pillar design, with subtle extensions beyond the rear backlight, forms a distinctive coupe-like silhouette, maintaining a strong Maxima character.
"The new Maxima is more stylish, refined and evolved than ever -- higher performance, roomier and sportier. In essence, a wolf in wolf's clothing," said Kirrane.
The 2004 Maxima is available in two models: the sporty 3.5 SE and the luxurious 3.5 SL. A number of options and packages are available on Maxima, including a Premium Audio Package, Sensory Package, Driver Preferred Package (3.5 SE), Driver Preferred Package (3.5 SL), Maxima Journey Package and the Elite Package with 2-passenger rear seating.
For the first time, Maxima will be assembled in the United States, at Nissan's award-winning manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tenn. The new Maxima is scheduled to go on sale at 1,100 Nissan dealers nationwide in March 2003.
2004 Nissan Quest
The all-new 2004 Nissan Quest is a revolutionary, category-redefining approach to the minivan -- one designed to add a heretofore missing element of style and personality while at the same time elevating the traditional minivan strengths of functionality, utility and safety features. The new Quest is scheduled to go on sale at more than 1,100 Nissan dealers nationwide in summer 2003 as a 2004 model and will be the first of four new vehicles scheduled to be assembled at Nissan's new $1.43 billion manufacturing facility in Canton, Miss.
The all-new Quest brings a new standard to styling in the minivan class. The exterior is marked by an arching roofline that transitions seamlessly off of the A-pillar, a strong shoulder that adds dimension to the body sides, well-defined wheel forms that have a minimal gap with the tire sidewalls and a fluid gesture in the beltline that starts low off of the headlights and kicks up toward the rear of the vehicle.
The Quest also offers an unusual focus on driving enjoyment -- with its 4-wheel independent suspension and powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 235 horsepower and 246 lb-ft of torque.
"We wanted to avoid the anonymous box design that has become the industry standard in the minivan class," said Kirrane. "We wanted to accentuate the wheels, because Nissan is all about the driving. The body is well balanced on the wheels and overall Quest has strong Nissan styling cues, such as in the grille design."
The new Quest is considerably larger than the previous two generations and will be built on Nissan's proven FF-L platform also utilized on the award-winning Nissan Altima, all-new 2003 Murano crossover sport utility vehicle and upcoming 2004 Maxima flagship design.
With one of the longest wheelbases in class, it allows for the innovative 2nd and 3rd row flat folding seats. Both the 2nd and 3rd row seats completely fold flat into the floor relieving owners of the hassle of removing the seats each time the extra room is needed. The flat folding seats also allow owners the luxury of purchasing large or bulky items on a whim and still being able to transport it home by simply folding down the seats.
The designers also rethought the traditional minivan interior architecture, with the shape of the centralized control stack taking on the look and feel of a desk or table, and leaving ample legroom for driver and front passenger to easily turn around toward the rear of the Quest.
Another Quest innovation is the available Skyview(TM) roof, a series of four panoramic glass roof panels for the 2nd and 3rd rows that (along with the front sunroof) help enhance the use of natural light throughout the rear of the vehicle.
Quest also puts a high emphasis on safety. Standard safety equipment includes a Zone Body Structure with front and rear crushable zones and occupant zone, the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (which utilizes crash zone sensor and advanced occupant sensing capability to control front air bag deployment force) and front seat supplemental side-impact air bags for thorax protection.
Also standard are Head Curtain Air Bags to help protect 1st, 2nd and 3rd row outboard occupants from side-impact collisions (among the first available in the minivan segment) and 3-point seat belts and height-adjustable head restraints for all seating positions.
The 2004 Nissan Quest will be offered in three well-equipped models -- Quest 3.5 S, 3.5 SL and 3.5 SE.
"The new Quest challenges convention in the minivan class, bringing a new level of style, performance and innovation to a category that hasn't evolved much since its creation over 20 years ago," said Kirrane, "It's a minivan for people who might never have considered a minivan before -- a multi-dimension vehicle for people with multi-dimensional lives."
In response to Nissan's continued product development, Shiro Nakamura, senior vice president, design director Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., announced two important developments in Nissan design. This year, Nissan will expand the design studio in Michigan, Nissan Design America Farmington Hills, and nearly triple the current space and appoint a new NDA Farmington Hills design director. Also, Mr. Nakamura announced that the new design center in Europe will start operation on January 22, unifying Nissan's European studios.
2003 is a major year for Nissan and with the mixture of vehicles set to launch, Nissan will bring a freshness to all aspects of the automotive industry. "Old and new Nissan customers are excited by the quality, performance and design of our new vehicles," says Kirrane. "And with more products coming this year that promise the same excitement, we are very optimistic about the coming year."
