New York Auto Show: 2007 Maxima is max no longer

The 2007 Nissan Maxima has been redesigned and refined, which will make it even harder to distinguish the brand’s “flagship” sedan from the too-close-for-comfort all-new Altima. Though touted as Nissan’s range topper, the new Maxima’s last gen. VQ 3.5L V6 only produces 255 hp and 252 ft-lbs. of torque. Both of those ratings are below what the new Altima will be putting out with its “next-gen” VQ. The Maxima does get an all-new interior and an exterior, though it appears the designers drew on the 2006 Altima for inspiration. At least we can’t refer to the Maxima as the “ugly one” anymore.
Nissan's new 4-Door Sports Car also gets the company's Xtronic CVT transmission as standard equipment. In fact, it's the only choice of tranny at all.
After the jump – you guessed it – more live shots, officials snaps and Nissan’s release.




















New Nissan Maxima Adds Standard CVT Transmission,
Revised Styling and Refined Interior For 2007
- Changes Enhance Maxima’s Longstanding Position as the
Premium Sports Sedan for Driving Enthusiasts -
The new 2007 Nissan Maxima, which is scheduled to go on sale in early summer 2006, elevates Maxima’s position as Nissan’s flagship sedan with a redesigned exterior, a greatly refined interior and the addition of new, available technology features. Another significant change is the adoption of the smooth, efficient Nissan Xtronic CVT™ (Continuously Variable Transmission) in place of a traditional automatic transmission design on all models.
“As our premium model, Maxima reflects the company’s most advanced technology – including the CVT transmission, our award-winning VQ-series V6 and standard Intelligent Key,” said Brad Bradshaw, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division. “Of special note among the many changes for 2007 is the new interior, which has a richer, higher quality look and feel to go with Maxima’s always powerful performance.”
An Enhanced Exterior
Key changes and enhancements for the 2007 Maxima begin with the redesigned exterior, which evolves the classic Maxima performance coupe-like silhouette with its wedge-shaped front, broad arched beltline, distinctive C-pillar design with extensions and high rear deck.
The 2007 Maxima’s new front grille, hood, bumper and headlights give the front end a more contemporary appearance, balancing the sporty look of the deep front valance and large wheel openings. The headlights now include built-in cornering lights, while the fog lights have been moved to the front bumper. Xenon headlights are optional on the 3.5 SE and standard on the 3.5 SL model.
Other exterior changes include the use of more aggressive side sills and a more prominent rear spoiler (standard on the SE model), a new rear bumper design with available Rear Sonar System and redesigned dual tailpipe finishers.
Maxima’s dynamic performance stance is accented by new 17-inch (3.5 SL) and 18-inch (3.5 SE) 7-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels.
The 2007 Maxima is available in a choice of eight exterior colors: Winter Frost, Super Black, Majestic Blue, Sonoma Sunset and new colors Radiant Silver, Pebble Beach, Precision Gray and Dark Slate.
A New, Refined Interior
Maxima’s interior enhancements are equally aggressive, adding a higher level of quality, luxury and sportiness to match the revised exterior. The instrument panel features a redesigned center stack with improved control ergonomics and a new Fine Vision Meter gauge display for easier readability. The number of buttons and controls has been reduced and the Human Machine Interface (HMI) enhanced with a more intuitive feeling.
Comfort and convenience additions include standard Intelligent Key and auxiliary input jack and available 6-disc in-dash CD autochanger with mp3 capability.
The seats offer larger shoulder bolsters and a new, sporty sew pattern and the sliding center armrest has been redesigned for greater comfort and convenience. Simulated leather door panels and cowl finisher replace fabric surfaces on models with leather-appointed seats (standard on 3.5 SL, optional on 3.5 SE) and integrated chromed accents have been added to the transmission shift lever plate and door panels. Brushed aluminum trim is used on areas of the 3.5 SE, while a new wood tone trim is utilized on the 3.5 SL.
“The Maxima interior has a more upscale appearance, without losing any of its traditional sporty character,” said Bradshaw. “It delivers on the promise of driver-oriented performance, but adds more comfort for the passengers, a higher overall quality feel and more advanced features.”
The 2007 Maxima again offers a standard SkyView™ glass-paneled roof, which creates an open environment for front and rear passengers while maintaining a solid roof structure. The SkyView is a single elongated rectangular-shaped glass panel that stretches from the front of the roof to the back and comes with sliding sunshades to block out sunlight when desired. A traditional power sliding glass sunroof is optionally available in place of the SkyView.
Other interior features include illuminated steering wheel controls, available factory-installed satellite radio and available Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System. The Bluetooth system helps the driver to maintain focus on the road ahead without the distraction often met with hand held cell phone usage.
Maxima also offers a dot-matrix center display screen (non-Navigation System) that provides HVAC, audio system and trip computer functions in one central location, dual-zone automatic temperature control, rear air conditioning vents, sun visors with vanity mirrors and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, standard 8-way power driver’s seat (4-way power passenger seat on 3.5 SL) with available entry/exit feature.
Also available is a Bose® premium audio system with 8 speakers, AM/FM/6-disc in-dash CD changer, speed-sensitive auto volume control and available Nissan DVD-based navigation system with 7-inch color display. Heated front seats are standard on 3.5 SL and optionally available on 3.5 SE.
Three interior colors are offered again for 2007: Café Latté, Frost and Charcoal.
A Tradition of Exhilarating Performance
The heart of the new Maxima remains its powerful, award-winning 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 engine, now rated at 255 horsepower* and 252 lb-ft of torque.
The 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 Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control (CVTCS), variable induction system, a silent timing chain and electronically controlled throttle.
All 2007 Maximas come equipped with a standard Xtronic CVT™ with manual mode, which is a sportier version of the unit utilized on the Nissan Murano. The Xtronic CVT is designed to create a true synergy between engine and transmission with smooth, responsive and efficient operation.
Nissan remains the industry leader in CVTs, with three separate CVT designs in production. More than just the efficiency advantages of CVT over conventional automatic transmissions, CVTs offers owners, as studies of Murano drivers have shown, real benefits in terms of smooth, responsive, trouble-free performance. CVTs will also be offered in the 2007 Altima, Sentra and Versa.
The 2007 Maxima also features a standard Traction Control System (TCS) and optional Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC).
Maxima’s responsive handling comes from a 4-wheel independent suspension design. The strut front suspension features coil springs and stabilizer bar, while the multi-link independent rear suspension 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.
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). Steering is an engine-speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion design.
The 3.5 SE model offers standard 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and V-rated P245/45R18 tires. Maxima 3.5 SL features 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with H-rated P225/55R17 tires.
Advanced Safety Features
The 2007 Maxima comes equipped with standard Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage front supplemental air bags, front seat side-impact supplemental air bags for chest protection) and roof-mounted curtain side-impact 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 crushable zones, LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat anchors and tether system and Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
Models and Options
The 2007 Maxima is available in two well-equipped models, the 3.5 SE and 3.5 SL.
A number of options and packages are available, including a Premium Audio Package, with a Bose audio system with 8 speakers and AM/FM/6CD, RDS, speed sensitive volume control and pre-wired for satellite radio; Sensory Package which includes the Premium Audio Package, plus leather-appointed seats, 4-way power passenger seat, heated front seats and mirrors and digital compass.
Also offered are the Driver Preferred Package (3.5 SE) with Sensory Package contents, plus Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System, xenon headlights, Driver Memory System (memory driver’s seat, power tilt/telescopic steering wheel with memory, auto-dimming outside memory mirrors with auto tilt down in reverse), driver seat power lumbar support, power entry/exit seat, heated steering wheel and Rear Sonar; and Driver Preferred Package (3.5 SL) with Sensory Package contents, plus Driver memory System, Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System, power tilt/telescopic steering wheel with memory, auto-dimming outside memory mirrors with auto tilt down in reverse , driver seat power lumbar support, power entry/exit seat, heated steering wheel and Rear Sonar.
Available options include a DVD Navigation System with 7-inch color LCD display, a Power Glass Sunroof (replaces SkyView), Satellite Radio (XM® or Sirius™ providers), Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System and Vehicle Dynamic Control.
The new 2007 Maxima is assembled by Nissan North America Manufacturing Smyrna & Decherd Tennessee Plant.












Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Hawt 2:18PM (4/12/2006)
Nissan does it again! For more auto news check out http://www.autoorbis.com
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Aki 2:19PM (4/12/2006)
In light of the awesome Altima, this car serves absolutely no purpose. Why the heck would people get this car? Not for interior volume, or accoutrements (leather and HIDs are options in Altimas). Not for a better engine. Seems like they dug themselves into a whole and are continually digging it deeper.
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James F. 2:43PM (4/12/2006)
Why does Nissan continue to sully the maxima name? Why not at least, make it distinct from the altima by making it bigger and awd only heck why not throw in a v-8? Why not give the lx platform cars something to stick in their pipes and smoke?
My 92SE(5-speed of course)was one of the best vehicles I've ever owned. For its day the styling /perfomance /value equation was unmathced. It saddens me that nissan post renault(takeover, merger, whatever) existance has not yielded something comparable. Sure the vq is a great engine! But in a fwd car, its just a waste.
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mj 2:46PM (4/12/2006)
Looks like they copied and pasted the Acura's nose on a Maxima, eh? This is what happens when Ghosn moves to France...
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kris 3:03PM (4/12/2006)
i'm a big maxima fan...i love all maximas...especially this one.but 2 things disappointed me with this one...
1.horsepower downgraded from 265 to 255
2.no more manual transmission
sad but i still love it.i'm gonna have 2 start savin' 2 get one of these babies!!
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Terr 3:07PM (4/12/2006)
I'll keep my current 97 SE 5spd. Thanks.
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kev 3:10PM (4/12/2006)
Salesmen of the world rejoice...more comfort for your fat a$$es. Enthusiasts, well...buy an Altima.
They broke the unwritten Max rule by downgrading the power and axing the manual. I've owned a great 99 Max SE 5spd and my present 03 Max 6spd. Both of which will spank this fat daddy.
Too bad, for performance this new Maxima is looking like a Minima.
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NEBTEK2002 3:40PM (4/12/2006)
I think the dash is a diaster!
Tiny sound system buttons, all black--all the same size, all labelled in tiy hard-to-read script.
And the heater/AC controls! What's wrong with the good old 3 big dials--one for mode, one for temperature, one for fan speed-- used on my Ranger and my Aztek?
You can adjust those by touch without taking your eyes off the road.
It's a good thing they don't offer manual transmission. Your hand would be banging into the heater controls and ruining your settings with every shift into 1st, 3rd, or 5th.
I briefly owned a 1987 Sentra that was an ergonomic disaster. Nissan hasn't learned a damn thing in 20 years.
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theSAWzall 4:00PM (4/12/2006)
This is a shame. 3 "new" cars by Nissan today, all 3 look the same. They already had virtually the same engine. More model differentiation would've made things more exciting.
The CVT doesn't sound like a good idea either, but I guess other brands make manual mid-size sixes now.
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Russell 4:03PM (4/12/2006)
Aside from the fact that this car is pointless when the Altima's only a few feet away in Nissan's showroom, it does tell us a few things about this company:
1) Nissan wants to be the CVT car company. That's not a bad idea, few others are trying this technology and no one is offering one in the US that can handle these torque loads.
2) The current limit of Nissan's CVT are probably very near 255 hp and 252 lb-ft. I strongly doubt the marketing department would have permitted the Maxima's hp to drop unless it absolutely was necessary, and since Nissan's going to be the CVT car company, the flagship has to carry the technology.
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kev 4:08PM (4/12/2006)
Good points re: the CVT tech, Russell. I understand the marketing imperative, but as a Maxima enthusiast am sad to see the performance / luxury mix tilt heavily to the luxo side.
I am sure they're be more mourning than cheering on maxima.org in the upcoming months...only time will tell.
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bulisani 4:15PM (4/12/2006)
I DON'T GET
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MAXIMUM AND ALTIMA
okay i take dat back...
what da !@#$ nissan?
are u kidding me?
what is this?
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Eric L. 5:09PM (4/12/2006)
#9 - You are probably correct that 255hp is the limit for the CVT. Also, some people are speculating why the Altima will have 265hp, but remember that it also comes with a 6-spd manual. Odds are that a 3.5L Altima with the CVT will also make 255hp like the Maxima.
I have a Murano with the same CVT, and I love it, but I don't think its a good match for a supposedly sporty car like the Maxima. I remember when my 97 Maxima was considered a blasphemy of the 4DSC of the early 90's - it only gets worse and worse and 10 years later, the Maxima is only a shadow of its former self.
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iQuack 5:46PM (4/12/2006)
I like the Maxima exterior which is unlike anything else and a big improvement over the previous, bland Maxima. It's always been a good car.
Major problem with the Maxima was its lousy interior--strange fabrics and cheap plastics. There was even a band of what looked like low-grade microfiber or terry cloth crap in a strip below the windshield above the forward part of the dashboard. Door panel materials ultra-cheap, too. No sense to the interior fittings at all.
Seems that the new Maxima fixes all that.
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XXL 6:09PM (4/12/2006)
They say history repeats itself, and it has. Back in '02 when the last Altima came out the current Max was too close, and now its happened again. Do we have to wait for 2 years until the new Max is above the Altima again. I think the Max should grow to the size of the Avalon and go up against it at the Azera.
XXL
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redux 7:03PM (4/12/2006)
the front looks a bit like the cadillac CTS, anyone else think so as well?
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Tom Camargo 8:42PM (4/12/2006)
There has been a revision in the way horsepower can be measured by the car manufacturers and it's going to make the same power look lower. I believe this goes into effect for the 2007 model year so this may be the only reason that the horsepower went from 265 to 255. I think the FWD is the limiting factor for horsepower, not the transmission anyway.
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Loe 10:42PM (4/12/2006)
Alot of you guys comment on the reduced HP figures compared to last year. Last years model was rated under the old SAE J1349 while this new model is rated under a new SAE J2723. Both years will still perform the same, both will put down same HP/TQ numbers on a chassis dyno. It's just a new way of rating HP.
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loe 10:05AM (4/13/2006)
Correction from above, its not the J2723 but a newer J1349 (aug2004) vs. the older standard.
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Chris 2:59AM (4/14/2006)
Ive been a BIG fan of the Maxima SE since the first day came up in showroom. I drove it several times (rent it from Enterprise) 04, and 06 model and this year I was just about to get one for my wife, Ive waited for the make up on 07 and Im very sad the ruined this beautiful sporty car with CVT. I dont think the young drivers will go for it, at list not me. To sad they improved the looks interior and outside but the driving will not be the same anymore. Shame to the designers. As we all know, 04 SE was sporty and SL was for mom and pap with soft suspension and 4-speed auto. They supposed to leave the CVT as optional or available only on SL and make the standard automatic trans with 6-speed auto on SE or tiptronic like Passat. Im sure there is great market for 60 years old guys and girls; they will enjoy this new concept. Thats my opinion.
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