2016 Nissan Maxima at the New York International Auto Show
Nissan has just unveiled the latest iteration of one of its most important vehicles, the Maxima. As a flagship vehicle for Nissan, the “4-Door Sports Car” was a pioneer back in the day thanks to its emphasis on implementing driving enjoyment into a practical Japanese sedan – something which really didn’t exist yet, at least not in any meaningful respect. Since then, however, countless other sedans have jumped aboard that train, leaving the Maxima a bit on the sidelines. For 2016, Nissan hopes to change that with the new model shown here in New York.
In redesigning the Maxima, Nissan based its appearance almost exactly on the Sport Sedan Concept it previewed recently, making for a decent looking car if you’re okay with the unique headlight shape similar to those of the outgoing Maxima. It sits noticeably lower and generally does a good job improving the sporty character over the awkward proportions of the previous one. The same applies to the interior, with its Alcantara accents and “cockpit-themed” layout. Nissan also says it’s put high priority on structural rigidity and weight reduction, which seems to have worked, as the new car boasts 25 percent greater chassis strength and 82 fewer pounds overall.
Under the hood lies a – you guessed it – VQ-series V6 engine. Nissan claims the 3.5-liter unit in the new Maxima is comprised of 60 percent new components, and output is rated at an even 300 horsepower and 261 lb-ft of torque. This engine sends its power to the front wheels as usual, but does so through a new “Xtronic” transmission, which is Nissan’s code word for CVT – a transmission with no fixed gear ratios. An interesting choice for a performance-oriented vehicle, and we can’t say we were thrilled with its implementation in the previous Maxima, but we’ll remain open-minded until we drive the new one.
The rest of the mechanical spec list reads as a sport sedan should, with double wishbone rear suspension, monotube dampers, 18-inch wheels and the like. There will even be an SR trim geared specifically for enthusiasts. We’re looking forward to trying this one out to see if Nissan was successful in reviving the Maxima’s sporty roots.
See 2016 Nissan Maxima for sale on eBay.
