Nissan Maxima sedan in fifth issue remade from roof to rails
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. -- Trailing the elusive shadow of an exotic silver sports car through a narrow canyon course etched into walls of granite -- running nose to tail, pacer and chaser flexing and flowing with the twisties into a continuous form of keenly sculptured metal and precisely honed machinery -- we flew down the Ortega Highway along California's route 74, which runs across the Santa Ana Mountains from Lake Elsinore to the Pacific Ocean at San Juan Capistrano.
At the coast, both cars climbed onto the multi-lane slab of I-5, heading south toward San Diego, and the chase continued but at higher speeds, our vehicle managing to stick behind the exotic, which ranks as one of the most agile and exacting sports cars in the world.
What made this chase around the California coast unusual was the fact that the car we steered was not some high-revving and exotic sports car like the pacer. Instead, our set of wheels was simply a new Nissan sedan rigged to haul a party of five.
The Maxima -- intended flagship for Nissan in a fifth generational remake which extends from roof to rails -- performs like no other mid-size sedan in its class, as our playful drive indicated, while sedately disguising itself as a conventional sedan with restrained exterior styling and a plush interior with cushy seats.
And what a power rush it delivers.
The Maxima engine, a sophisticated aluminum V6 with dual overhead cams and multi-valve technology applied, boosts output in this revision by 32 horsepower over the previous edition to reach the heady mark of 222 hp. Its designers managed to squeeze more juice from the plant by revamping intake and exhaust manifolds so the engine can catch a larger breath of air. The result is a system that can kick butt from anything else in its class, even run with the big dogs when demanded.
This lightweight new V6 scores as standard equipment in all three of the Maxima models: Entry-level GXE, sport-tuned SE and the luxurious GLE.
All three trim versions of the new Maxima for model-year 2000 pack performance-oriented mechanical systems and safety gear like dual front air bags and four-wheel anti-lock brakes, but they also offer more safety systems optionally, such as side-impact air bags for front riders and a traction control device.
A manual five-speed stick shifts nicely and works on GXE and SE trims, and a four-speed automatic is offered for all models but becomes the standard for the GLE.
The SE performance model sports foglamps and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, plus specific tuning for suspension components, 16-inch alloy wheels and a rear spoiler.
The base GXE with a manual transmission serves as the price leader at $21,569, although it brings a lot of standard features, like air conditioning, keyless remote entry, power door locks and power windows with a one-touch up or down movement for the driver's window.
Pile on trappings of luxury and the GLE top model rises to $28,000 or so with all possible options aboard, including a power sunroof. Yet the GLE has it all, with automatic climate controls, leather seats and eight-way power for the driver's bucket, cruise control, plus a 200 watt Bose stereo sound package with CD deck and seven speakers.
Although conservative exterior styling for the three new Maxima variations vaguely resembles the 1999 predecessors, everything about these sedans has changed, particularly the size of the package.
The wheelbase was enlarged by two inches and the width by half an inch so the car has a larger footprint, which enhances its stability in motion while also adding more space inside for riders. Cabin volume has grown by 2.4 cubic feet, with 1.2 cubic feet more for the spacious trunk and a generous 1.8 inches of expansion in rear seat legroom.
For the first time, Nissan's design center in La Jolla, Calif., devised schemes for both exterior and interior plans of the new cars, which come together in Japan at Nissan's Oppama plant.
The exterior treatment looks subdued yet serious, like this Maxima wants to perform.
&&& It shows a bold face with an aggressive yet unadorned prow in monochromatic bumpers and simple horizontal grille integrated between sets of wrap-around headlamp clusters. Side panels are flatly vertical with tires moved close to the skin and wheelwells rippled with modest shoulders.
&&& The windshield rakes more sharply rearward than on the previous Maxima, as its base was moved several inches forward, and the roof and rear deck rise higher.
&&& In back, the tail cuts off crisply at a trunk lip. Corner clusters of oval tail lamps with smoke-tinged lenses stack up as the car's most unusual visual asset.
The unibody structure was reinforced with additional bracing to forge a stiffer package for controlling bending and flexing during movement.
&&& Safety elements begin with the rigid structure, which incorporates front and rear crumple zones for absorbing impact forces of a collision, plus special reinforcements on each side to deflect side impacts. In addition, dual air bags and knee bolsters are in place to shield front seat riders, along with an energy-absorbing steering column and height-adjustable seatbelt anchors. Child safety rear door locks mount on rear doors.
All versions utilize a power-assisted brake system with a big disc at every wheel and the link to four-wheel anti-lock controls.
The quick rack and pinion steering with speed-sensitive power translates to another safety asset.
All Maximas also employ an independent strut front suspension system and a compact multi-link beam arrangement in back which not only fashions a smoother ride quality and contributes to the car's stability in cornering, but carves out more rear legroom for passengers because it enables an extension in the wheelbase.
&&& This arrangement is essentially the same suspension design as before, but it has been modified slightly for more responsive control and to correct what once was excessive body lean during hard cornering action.
The cabin in an airy and spacious design provides twin front bucket seats separated by a wavy console, with a rear bench in sculptured positions for two but space for three.
White-faced electroluminiscent analog gauges for the speedometer and tachometer make them easy to read. All editions contain a tachometer, by the way, plus a digital clock, low fuel warning light and dials displaying coolant temperature and fuel level.
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| 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Mid-size performance sedan
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| Model Options: |
Mid-size performance sedan
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| Wheelbase: |
108.3 inches
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| Overall Length: |
190.5 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 3.0-L V6
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| Transmission: |
Manual/5, Auto/4
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| Drive: |
Front
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| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS/opt. TCS
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| Airbags: |
2 (front) + opt. 2 (side)
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| Gas Mileage: |
M/5: 22/28 mpg
A/4: 20/28 mpg
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| MSRP Price: |
$ 21,569 to $ 28,000 |
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