Not sure about the headlights, but I like the rest of it. You can definitely see the design of the nose showing the new pedestrian safety guidelines, but I think they incorporated that well.
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2009 Subaru Impreza WRX 5 door (255whp/267wtq) -- [Only Registered Users Can See LinksClick Here To Register] GONE -- 1998 Subaru Legacy GT
i think if they had finished off the headlights it would look great, i don't like how they break apart at the seam on the fender, connect them point to point and finish them and it would look pretty good...look at the friggin size of the circular air vent to the left of the steering wheel....wow
Seems to show the Altima heritage a lot more than I hoped. But it is a much improved design over the whale of a maxima they have now. Can't wait to see the initial drive reports.
WAIT A SECOND... what is the deal with no manual tranny. Nissans were the last place in the US that you could find a decent sedan with a MT. Toyota, Honda, etc... all have bailed out. When are the auto manufacturers going to learn there are still some of us who like to drive a car not have a car driven for them.
Last edited by nonpersonna; 03-19-2008 at 01:56 PM.
Reason: Disbelief
Aggressive Styling, Refined Platform, More Powerful V6, Cockpit-like Interior and Enhanced Quality Highlight Changes to Seventh Generation of Nissan’s Flagship Sedan –
The 2009 Nissan Maxima, which makes its world debut at the 2008 New York International Auto Show, marks a return to the longtime Nissan flagship sedan’s roots as a commanding 4-door sports car – a vehicle that is unique in both appearance and driving feel, with renewed relevance for today’s active and ambitious sedan buyers. In other words, the Maxima is back.
The all-new 2009 Maxima will be offered as two well-equipped models, Maxima 3.5 S and Maxima 3.5 SV, and is scheduled to arrive at Nissan dealers nationwide in early summer 2008.
“Maxima has always enjoyed a certain ‘duality’ – a unique fusion of sedan practicality with the soul of a sports car,” said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. “In recent years, however, competitive vehicles have caught up with Maxima in ‘sporty’ looks and performance. For 2009, Nissan is reclaiming its rich 4-Door Sports Car heritage with an infusion of emotional design, driving excitement and advanced technology – creating a silky, stimulating sports sedan like no other on the road today.”
2009 Maxima: Reborn at the “Ring”
“Do-overs” are sometimes allowed in sports but rarely in the automotive industry. Yet midway through the development of the new-generation Maxima a mulligan was indeed granted. Rather than continue with an evolution of the previous highly successful Maxima design, the creators of the 2009 Maxima stopped and rethought the entire direction.
Inspired by the concurrent top secret development of the 2009 Nissan GT-R supercar, they threw away positioning words like “conservative” and “balanced” and concentrated instead on new concepts like “addictive performance,” “striking,” “commanding” and “powerful.”
High targets were established, including the goal of creating “the best performing front engine, front-wheel drive car in the world,” along with class-leading acceleration, braking, handling, workmanship and cockpit design.
“We aren’t walking away from the strengths of the last generation Maxima, which was rated the top-ranked vehicle in AutoPacific’s 2007 Vehicle Satisfaction Award for Luxury Mid-Size Cars and a winner of Strategic Vision’s 2007 Total Quality Award? for Best Medium Car Ownership Experience,” said Castignetti. “However, complacency breeds complacent vehicles. The new Maxima demanded taking risks in order to ultimately come up with a much more exciting and rewarding vehicle.”
Three key areas were singled out for change: exterior design, which needed to be more aggressive, with more personality and attitude; a “super” cockpit, creating an interior that combines a driver orientation with high quality, roominess and user-friendly technology; and class-leading performance, enhancing what previous generation owners called “Maxima-ness.”
To further push the performance envelope, the development team challenged themselves to concentrate their efforts on “emotional engineering” – to experience Maxima with the five senses in a purer, more visceral manner, rather than through CAD drawings and computer simulations.
As each designer and engineer set and exceeded higher and higher targets, they realized that confirmation of the results would require validation on the road. But not just any road. Members of the development team traveled to Germany’s famed Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit – not coincidentally the site of much of the GT-R’s performance development work – to test Maxima prototypes. Special attention was placed on body rigidity, suspension and steering, along with honing Maxima’s competitiveness against some well-established European sports sedans.
“A number of product changes came directly from the Nürburgring trials, including enhancements to the braking and transmission systems,” said Castignetti. “But more importantly, it gave notice to the entire Nissan organization that the new Maxima is back solidly in the performance arena where it rightfully belongs.”
Aggressive Design Adds a “Wow” Factor to the Sedan Category
While seeking to create a simple-yet-strong presence, the designers of the new Maxima’s exterior also wanted to re-assert Maxima’s breakthrough personality – establishing a “wow” level of style that would clearly distinguish it from segment competitors.
The exterior design theme for the new Maxima is “Liquid Motion” – focusing on the flow of its powerful and beautiful surfaces, like the undulation of a wave. The look starts with Maxima’s aggressive stance and powerful fender volume, which is not unlike many exotic sports cars on the market today. This deeply sculpted body/fender treatment is seldom used for mass market vehicles because of the engineering and manufacturing complexity required to physically accomplish it. Maxima’s new stance is created by a slight reduction in wheelbase and overall length, along with a wider front and rear track.
Maxima’s new look imparts a strong, premium presence. The large, wraparound L-shaped headlights add a unique dimension to the overall design, while the light surrounds suggest a powerful “turbine” appearance of energy and strength. The upturned headlight shape combines with a wide grille, large bumper opening and bulging “catamaran-style” hood to give Maxima a formidable expression, setting the tone for the rest of the vehicle.
I think the car makers are starting to realize the importance of great looking rims and how they carry a lot of weight with the consumers.Just look at these Nissan!That body kit really does wonders for an already great car. Would love to know what improvements that kit brings to the Nissan that is blisteringly fast in stock condition!I can't wait to test drive it.
Yes, it�s worth talking about. The 2009 Nissan Maxima has upped the sensuality with an exterior design pegged �liquid motion� because it takes cues from the kind of waves that surfers love...Powerful, curvy and dynamic. The physical shape were enforced by chopping a few inches off , lowering the chassis and maxing out the front end with hunky wraparound headlamps, a wide grille and deep sculpting through the body/fender area. On the inside, you can up the charisma with aluminum, Eucalyptus wood trim or sport stitched leather. A dual panel moonroof adds lots of inner glow. An 8- way power seat with manual lumbar support is standard, as is a heated or cooled drivers seat with a manual thigh extension. By the way, once youve tried the thigh extension, youll want it!As for power, this 5-seater has a 3.5-liter V6 with 290 hp and 261 lb-ft of torque.
NY International Auto Show: 2009 Nissan Maxima - EXCLUSIVE!
Britta
Commuter Vehicle
Linear Mode
