Automotive News - June 9, 2008 - (Page 10)

10 • JUNE 9, 2008 New Maxima is a tad smaller — but more buff Upgrades boost agility, muscle for Nissan flagship Lindsay Chappell lchappell@crain.com Muscular Maxima RALEIGH, N.C. — In recent years, the Nissan Maxima has endured a squeeze play. Below it, the Altima had grown bigger, more expensive and more popular. And from above, the Infiniti G chipped away at the Maxima’s high-end sports sedan identity. But with the redesigned 2009 Maxima, Nissan has reasserted the Maxima’s identity as the brand’s flagship. It is more agile and upscale than the Altima and steers clear of confusion with the Infiniti brand. The basics: For the seventh generation, Maxima planners had to balance two issues: 1. The car had to surpass the interior and performance upgrades bestowed on the Altima and Altima coupe in the past two years. 2. They had to avoid upsetting what is Nissan’s most loyal customer group. More than 55 percent of Maxima owners do not consider any other models before buying. Notable features: Designers clearly sidestepped the danger of pushing the Maxima into Infiniti’s family resemblance. The car remains a Nissan The new Maxima’s plush cabin has a steering wheel from the 350Z. — big headlights, no wood trim, no Japanese-styled small console buttons and no rear-wheel drive. But the Maxima still will come in a cut above the Altima. The cabin is plush with contoured, air-conditioned leather seats and a steering wheel plucked from the 350Z roadster. On paper, the interior is actually smaller than that of the previous Maxima, but the shavings are modest. The Maxima also is now shorter, with less headroom, than the Altima. The Maxima has shed 5 pounds, thanks to more aluminum suspension parts. It is notably quieter, even to the point that engineers installed an engine-compartment resonator to remind customers of its sporty ambitions. The car also is almost 4 inches shorter than it was, allowing for a smaller turning radius. Design: New curves and contours in the hood and elsewhere lend an athletic, muscular look to the exterior. The Maxima has the look of a buffed young professional in a sleeveless Nike workout shirt. The 2009 Maxima is shorter but more powerful than its predecessor. 2009 MAXIMA 2008 MAXIMA Wheelbase Length Width Height Curb weight Base engine Horsepower Torque, lbs.-ft. EPA mpg Base price *Includes shipping 109.3 in. 190.6 in. 73.2 in. 57.8 in. 3,586 lbs. V-6 290 hp @ 6,400 rpm 261 @ 4,400 rpm 19 city/26 hwy. Not available 111.2 in. 194.4 in. 71.7 in. 58.3 in. 3,591 lbs. V-6 255 hp @ 6,000 rpm 252 @ 4,400 rpm 19 city/25 hwy. $28,790* Compromises and shortcomings: The V-6 engine picked up 35 hp and 9 pounds-feet of torque. The extra power will silence a few more critics of Nissan’s wholesale move to continuously variable transmissions. But the company is ballyhooing its new “Ds” (drive sport) transmission set- ting, which gives drivers paddle shifters on the steering column. Under Ds, the engine turns throaty as you hit 4,500 rpms. But the car and the engine do the same thing without the Ds. Also odd is Nissan’s decision not to put trim badges on the car. It comes as an S or SV, in either a Sport or Premium package. Nissan believes drivers will know which model they own — and onlookers are on their own. Nissan showroom shoppers may also be confused that the higher-priced flagship is now shorter and a little less roomy than the Altima family sedan. What Nissan says: Mark Perry, director of product planning at Nissan North America Inc., said here at a press event introducing the new model that size isn’t the issue. Performance and styling are. “We made a mid-course correction and decided the flagship doesn’t always have to be bigger,” Perry said. “You’re not going to mistake a Maxima for an Altima.” The market: Unfortunately, this is no longer the heyday for flagships. Just a few years ago, both the Maxima and the Toyota Avalon were selling safely north of 100,000 units a year. Both models now sell closer to 70,000. In an era of nameplate proliferation, both automakers accept the new reality. The skinny: The Maxima is now a little smaller, but Nissan has stoked it with good looks and performance. c http://www.Pick-n-ClickAds.com http://www.Pick-n-ClickAds.com

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Automotive News - June 9, 2008 Hummer Bummer: A death sentence? New F-150, Ram in peril as big pickups collapse Japanese can add small cars faster than Detroit 3 Battery shortage hurts hybrid sales 2 key overseas staffers move to Automotive News in the U.S. Toyota may add Camry to Indiana truck plant Mazda extends warranty on RX-8 rotary engine CAW to consider strike against GM Porsche's new 911 GM plans big ad push for its big hybrid SUVs Chrysler cuts fees to outside service firms 5% Toyota considering 'Made in U.S.A.' Prius Congress, Bush square off over rollover suits GM finance whiz changed the industry GM's big SUVs may get lighter Harbour Report: Chrysler, Toyota most efficient Spring intros can be dicey Ford spends big on MKS ad launch Media buyer for GM cuts 25 jobs Sources: GM poised to buy Cobasys GM dealer program rebounds Mazda updates the RX-8 New Maxima is a tad smaller — but more buff Congress must balance safety, mpg concerns Is the gas crisis real or just temporary? What about poor driving? There's no substitute for safe driving Lack of regulation foils safety laws Sticker law cleaned up a pricing mess Lithia to sell outlets, delay used-car stores Nielsen likes to step off the beaten path GM union local strives to pull parts jobs in-house JCI will open Ga. plant to supply Kia Dealers: Be open about credit problems Finance venture has $1 billion Picture this Personnel Dealers BMW purchasing chief 'looking for waste' Nissan Mexicana gets new chief Ford Flex output begins Hyundai Genesis: $33,000 Ford buys more from minorities Audi's U.S. chief: Brand can handle high gas prices May in Detroit: Scary, not merry Infiniti FX starts at $41,765 Lincoln: 8,600 MKS orders Plastics supplier sees growth Jenkins gets Aston Martin post Smith is CEO of Jaguar, Land Rover Kremlin watching, Chrysler style Toyota breathing down GM's neck on monthly U.S. sales PR chief Steve Harris: At GM through '08 Small-car surge is a replay of 1979 Auto execs would benefit from some store experience Mini's mixed results: Sales soar, quality stumbles Nice car — so what's the ppmpg? Volt's good PR got struck by lightning

Automotive News - June 9, 2008

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