New York '08 Preview: Nissan releases 2009 Maxima teaser shots
by John Neff on Mar 14th 2008 at 3:34PM 
Nissan will unveil the completely redesigned 2009 Maxima next week at the 2008 New York Auto Show, but wants to whet our appetites with some teaser shots before the big reveal. Unlike most teaser shots, we can actually glean a few details from these. The shot of the headlight, for instance, shows a new shape for the Maxima's "eyes". It appears the sheetmetal from the fender overlaps the headlights in a way that has part of the turn signal jutting out on its own. It kind of looks like the 370Z rendering that appeared in a Japanese mag we showed you a few days ago. Also note the "4DSC" sticker on the rear passenger window, which harkens back to the day when Nissan referred to the Maxima as a "4-Door Sports Car". From what little the teasers tell us, history may repeat itself next week.Gallery: 2009 Nissan Maxima - teaser shots
[Source: Nissan]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Hwins 3:42PM (3/14/2008)
"4 door sports car" just makes Nissan sound like a company of ricers.
Blech. Drop the lame, lame-o's.
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Injected 3:47PM (3/14/2008)
Are you implying that there are no sports car sedans?
PJ 6:28PM (3/14/2008)
You're aware of the tradition here, right? The "4DSC" sticker first appeared on '89 Maximas. Seems appropriate for Nissan to revive it (on its 20th anniversary) for an all-new model that's reportedly shed size and mass.
mk 4:58PM (3/14/2008)
Lots of people, including myself, find that the definition of "Sports Car" excludes cars with more than two side doors, and most that have more than two seats, with the Porsche 911 being a straddler, between GT Sport Coupe, and Sports Car. (some say Carrera and Turbo are GTs, and GT2 and GT3, ironically, are sports cars, and have only two seats and a more pure performance intent)
A coupe with 4 seats would be considered a Sport Coupe, and a 4-door would be considered a Sport Sedan.
But, while being fast, fun, and fantastic cars, they don't fit the stricter definitions of "Sports Car".
I also would never call a car with more than two side doors a coupe, either, but 4-door coupe seems to be an oxymoron that has gained acceptance.
All that said, the Maxima looks like it might be better than recent versions, and I like the fast c-pillar kink, and rake of the rear glass. Too bad the Maxima is FWD, and the G35 Sedan isn't good looking, but not as sleek as this Maxima might be.
Still not giving up my 300hp 5-speed, >3500lb, AWD Legacy GT for it, though.
dave 5:02PM (3/14/2008)
I owned a 91 Maxima with the 4DSC sticker in it, and I can say it was much sportier than any of the other Japanese sedans my friends were driving at the time. In fact, that car is still in the family, with nothing but good memories for all owners. It isn't lame, it is something that people who know take seriously.
PAT 3:44PM (3/14/2008)
Teaser shots serve no purpose! I am not anymore interested, because I can't see the Fn car.
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tanooki2003 3:47PM (3/14/2008)
I sure hope Nissan stays true to their word and is truly going back to their roots thus recreating the true 4DSC that the Maxima from 90-2003 had once defined.
I truly hope this will not be an appliance like car like the current Maxima and the Toyota Avalon. If this turns out to be another bloated land barge then I am putting all of my hopes to Hyundai, since they are "actually" listening to the public.
Come on Nissan you had a great Maxima run until 2004, let's see you bring back that spirited car that was a sight for sore eyes and aching leadfoots from the typical Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Ford Taurus type appliances.
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jgp 4:00PM (3/14/2008)
Don't you mean "until 1995"? 1995 was when the Maxima started its decline.
IMO, only the 1989-94 Maxima can truly be called the 4DSC.
tanooki2003 4:03PM (3/14/2008)
True you do have a point. I was only referring to when it grew into a fatter platform but you are correct.
KoddSO 3:49PM (3/14/2008)
Hmmm...I sure hope they decide to put lug nuts on the wheel when its time for production
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John R 3:50PM (3/14/2008)
Agreed. No more land yachts. C'mon Nissan.
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XJ 4:13PM (3/14/2008)
They need to redo pic 2 of 4. Yuck.
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Jeff 4:15PM (3/14/2008)
saw them doing a photo shoot of it at the petersen car museum parking structure in LA, where i park my car for work. i was only there for a few seconds before this large rude dude came right up to my face and asked me to leave.
the look of it, from what i recall, has the same design language as the g37 sedan. a lot more curves, and less mass.
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Dave T. 4:29PM (3/14/2008)
"the look of it, from what i recall, has the same design language as the g37 sedan. a lot more curves, and less mass."
good call
The Other Bob 4:03PM (3/14/2008)
Nissan: The Pontiac of Japan.
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tanooki2003 4:05PM (3/14/2008)
and your point is....
Dustin K 7:49PM (3/16/2008)
More like Mitsubishi is the Pontiac of Japan.
almost Dr. G.. 4:03PM (3/14/2008)
i had a 2003 maxima with the 6 speed and 255hp engine. i LOVED that car! i had to let it go after the second time they stole my HID's. for the size it was a fun car and a definite sleeper. i will be buying another car in 2010 and hopefully nissan puts out.
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almost Dr. G.. 4:05PM (3/14/2008)
not to mention i averaged 24-25 mpg per visit to the pump. i loved the 6th gear, it was a perfect ratio. the s2000 i bought after would get me 20-21 mpg max, but then again that was a completely different animal :)
TBlueMax 1:13AM (3/15/2008)
I'm in a 2002 Maxima w/6MT and factory HLSD and I'm averaging 20 mpg city, 28.5 mpg highway - consistently.
Great car, extremely reliable, and fun to drive. I'm hoping the next generation Maxima is at least as good.