Detroit Auto Show : 2004 Nissan Maxima

2004 Nissan Maxima - The Original 4-Door Sports Car Returns, Wrapped In All-New Expressive Styling 




    DETROIT, Jan. 6 -- 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
unmatched performance from the award-winning VQ engine with expressive sports
styling and bold design innovations including a new Skyview(TM) Roof, with a
glass panel running lengthwise over the front and rear seats, and a new Elite
Package, which features a fixed, full center console that creates true 4-place
seating.
    "Maxima has always had the power and performance that has earned it a
reputation as a true 4-door sports car.  Now it also looks the part," said
Bill Kirrane, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan
North America, Inc.  "The new Maxima is more stylish, refined and evolved then
ever -- higher performance, roomier and sportier.  In essence, a wolf in
wolf's clothing."
    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.
    The Maxima first arrived in the U.S. in 1981, essentially creating the
"mid-size import sedan" category that it has dominated ever since.  For almost
two decades it has held the title of the number one selling V6 import sedan.
Along with its bold new styling, for 2004 Maxima adds a new level of premium
equipment to its enhanced roominess and performance, which is expected to add
to both its reputation and buyer base.  It will be offered in Maxima 3.5 SE
and Maxima 3.5 SL models.
    "Maxima's has an exceptionally loyal owner base, with many buyers on their
fourth or fifth Maxima," said Kirrane.  "For 2004, Maxima moves up to take on
the most popular European sports sedans head-to-head with more of everything
that makes Maxima a Maxima.  In other words, everything has changed, yet
nothing has changed."

    A New, Aggressive Exterior
    Maxima's designers set out to create an advanced exterior design that
captures the characteristics of a performance car and a luxury sedan all in
one.
    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 high rear
deck provides easy accessibility to the ample trunk that is essential to a
sedan.
    The front fascia is sharp and cleanly sculpted and features a distinctive
Nissan signature grille with a unique, rounded-rectangle shape pattern
accentuated by a dark chrome finish, along with a deeply sculpted combination
headlight cluster with optional xenon bulbs (standard on 3.5 SL).  The
pronounced rear fascia is elegant and leaves a strong impression, accented
with the unique design of the body panel that surrounds the rear taillights.
    The combination of oversized wheels with boldly sculpted fender openings
and double dual exhaust mufflers with chromed tips give Maxima a very powerful
and dominating stance that evokes a feeling of high performance.
    Large 18-inch, 6-spoke alloy wheels come standard on the 3.5 SE, while
17-inch wheels are standard on the 3.5 SL.  The 2004 Maxima will be available
in a choice of eight exterior colors, including a bold Radiant Ember, Red
Opulence and Spirited Bronze.

    An Innovative Interior Led By Skyview Roof and 4-passenger seating
    The expressive exterior design continues into the interior.  Standard on
all models is a segment-first Skyview Roof, which creates an open environment
for front and rear passengers while maintaining a solid roof structure.  The
Skyview Roof is a single elongated rectangular-shaped glass panels that
stretch from the front of the roof to the back.  It comes equipped with
sliding sunshades to block out the sunlight when desired.  The long openings
in the arched roofline increase the perceptual interior volume, which leaves a
unique and memorable impression.
    "Maxima's Skyview Roof, an industry first for the mid-size sedan segment,
turns the perspective of the interior inside out.  It's a bold feature and we
made it standard," said Kirrane.  "A traditional power sliding front sun roof
is optionally available for buyers who prefer one, but we think once people
experience the Skyview Roof, they'll fall in love with it."
    Thanks to the 2004 Maxima's adoption of Nissan's FF-L (for Front engine,
Front-wheel drive, Large) platform, the cabin offers increases in all major
interior dimensions from the previous generation Maxima, including a 2.9-inch
longer wheelbase (increased from 108.3 to 111.2) and vehicle width increased
1.4 inches (increase from 70.3 to 71.7).  Trunk space also increases 0.4 cubic
feet, from 15.1 to 15.5.
    Maxima features a new gauge system with three independent, hood-less
meters that are extremely sporty in appearance.  The simple and mechanical
form, combined with metallic material, suggests an enthusiastic driving
experience and enhances the sense of luxuriousness from its precise
craftsmanship.
    Special focus and attention to detail was put into the design of Maxima's
driver ergonomics.  The steering wheel, meter cluster and the gearshift knob
are designed so the driver can be closely attuned to the car.  Maxima also
features a custom-designed instrument panel, center stack and console design
to give it a clean, high-quality display.  The center display integrates
displays of HVAC, audio system and trip computer into one central location.
    Maxima's new low-fatigue front seats are designed with sharp, crisp lines
and forms to give them a sporty look that matches the rest of the interior.
The seats' silhouette is very linear in character while the front edge is
squared to make them look strong and sporty.  The cross-sections of the
cushions and seat backs are carefully scrutinized to offer optimum comfort and
support.  The driver's seat is 8-way power and the passenger's seat is 4-way
power (standard on 3.5 SL and optional on SE) with height-adjustable head
restraints.  Optional to the 3.5 SE and 3.5 SL is a driver seat memory system
that adjusts the seat, steering wheel and outside mirrors at the touch of a
button.
    An optional Elite Package 4-seat layout gives the interior a distinctive
sports car-like design, further separating Maxima from its competitors.  With
the Elite Package, the traditional bench style rear seat is replaced with two
independent bucket seats.  The design of the rear seats resembles the front
seats and the 4-seat layout further strengthens both the sporty and luxury
aspects of Maxima's interior.
    "The idea of the 4-seat package was not to eliminate the traditional five
passenger seating, which is still the Maxima standard," said Kirrane.  "But in
keeping with Maxima's 4-door sports car heritage, the logical extension is
front and rear seating similar to a 2-door sports car.  The optional Elite
Package is ideal for owners who, for example, like to go out to dinner with
other couples, but never really need a full 5-passenger capacity of a
traditional sedan."
    An Elite Package-exclusive Burnt Orange with Black interior color
combination is also available, in addition to the standard Maxima Cafe Latte,
Frost and Black interior colors.
    Standard Maxima luxury touches include wood tone trim on 3.5 SL and
metallic tone accents on 3.5 SE, automatic front dual zone climate control and
outside temperature display, rear air conditioning vents, leather wrapped
steering wheel and shift knob, auto on/off headlights, driver's and
passenger's sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors and extenders and a
240-watt 8-speaker AM/FM/cassette/CD with steering wheel audio controls is
standard on the 3.5 SE.  An 8-speaker 320-watt Bose(R) audio system with
AM/FM/cassette/6CD in-dash is standard on 3.5 SL and optional on 3.5 SE.
    From a safety standpoint, Maxima features Zone Body construction with
front and rear crushable zones and occupant zone, standard dual-stage
supplemental front air bags with seat belt sensors, front-seat side-impact
supplemental air bags and curtain side-impact supplemental air bags.  Also
standard are 3-point front seat belts with adjustable upper anchors with
pretensioners and load limiters, front-seat active head restraints, an
emergency inside trunk release and the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for
CHildren) child seat anchors and tether system.

    Powerful V6 Engine Offers Responsive Acceleration
    Maxima's legendary performance continues in 2004 with the continued use of
the award-winning VQ 3.5-liter engine.  The VQ engine series has been
recognized as one of the "Ten Best Engines" by Ward's Auto World magazine for
eight consecutive years.  The DOHC 24-valve V6 has been refined to produce
265 horsepower and 255 lb-ft torque.  The increase in power and torque was
created, in part, by modifying the intake duct and exhaust muffler, thus
improving the intake/exhaust flow ratio.  An equal-length tuned exhaust with a
high capacity muffler adds power and gives Maxima a quiet, yet strong,
sound -- hinting at its performance capabilities.
    Maxima also utilizes continuous valve timing control, variable induction
system, a silent timing chain and electronically controlled throttle.  The
engine also features a modular engine design, microfinished crank journals and
com 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.
    "Maxima's reputation has always started with its engine performance -- the
heart of a sports car," said Kirrane.  "This new Maxima is no different, it
delivers the performance level worthy of a true flagship sedan, from an engine
design shared with the new Nissan 350Z(R)."
    All 2004 Maxima 3.5 SL models come equipped with a standard 4-speed
electronically controlled automatic transmission, with a gated shifter for
better transmission control.  The 3.5 SE Model features a standard 5-speed
electronically controlled automatic transmission with manual shift mode and
gated shifter.  New to the 2004 Maxima is Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with
Traction Control System (TCS), which is optional on all A/T models.
    For the serious driving enthusiast, a 6-speed close-ratio manual is
optional on 3.5 SE models.  This transmission optimizes the powerband of the
3.5-liter engine and gives the driver the ultimate sports car feel.  A helical
limited-slip differential is optional on manual transmission equipped Maximas.
This mechanical differential is torque sensitive and provides instantaneous
locking for increased traction and performance.
    Maxima's agile and responsive handling comes from a suspension design
adapted and improved from the Japanese-market Nissan Skyline supercar.  It
consists of an innovative rear multi-link independent suspension, which offers
outstanding stability by minimizing camber change during cornering.  The rear
shocks and springs are separated for reduced friction and the shock is in line
with the center of the rear wheels, providing better damping and less
harshness.
    Maxima 3.5 SE models feature a special performance-tuned suspension for
maximum handling prowess, while the 3.5 SL models feature a luxury-tuned
suspension providing a supple ride and smooth and secure handling feeling.
    Braking is provided by standard 4-wheel disc brakes with a 4-channel,
4-sensor, 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).  Front rotors are
class-leading at 320mm in size.  Also standard is Electronic Brake force
Distribution (EBD), which optimizes brake force depending on load condition
(passenger and cargo) and Brake Assist (BA), which senses hard or panic pedal
application and helps provide maximum braking capacity.
    The 3.5 SE model offers large 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and V-rated
P245/45R18 tires.  3.5 SL features 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with H-rated
P225/55R17 tires.

    Models and Options
    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, with an 8-speaker 320-watt Bose(R) audio system with
AM/FM/6CD, RDS and speed sensitive volume control; Sensory Package which
includes the Premium Audio Package, plus leather-appointed seats, 4-way power
passenger seat, heated front seats and mirrors and compass.
    Also offered are the Driver Preferred Package (3.5 SE) with Sensory
Package contents, plus rear spoiler, memory drivers seat, power
tilt/telescopic steering wheel with memory, memory outside mirrors that can
also be folded electronically, xenon headlights, driver seat power lumbar
support, power entry/exit seat and heated steering wheel; and Driver Preferred
Package (3.5 SL) with Sensory Package contents, plus memory drivers seat,
power tilt/telescopic steering wheel with memory, memory outside mirrors that
can also be folded electronically, driver seat power lumbar support, power
entry/exit seat and heated steering wheel.  The Maxima Journey Package
includes Driver Preferred Package equipment, plus DVD navigation system with
7-inch color display and compass in navigation display (deleted from rear view
mirror).
    The Elite Package offers all of the Journey Package features, plus
2-passenger rear seating, rear center console, auto up/down rear windows, rear
power sunshade with front and rear controls, heated rear seats and rear 12V
power point.
    Available options include a Power Glass Sunroof (replaces Skyview Roof),
Helical Limited-Slip Differential (HLSD), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC),
full-size spare with alloy wheel and satellite radio capacity.
    "The 2004 Maxima sets the bar for all performance sedans with increases in
every major area -- performance, luxury, space, comfort and innovation," said
Kirrane.  "It's a car that boldly leads the impressive Nissan lineup and
offers the very best that Nissan has to offer."