Nissan Maxima

The Nissan Maxima is a car manufactured by Nissan that is in a line of upper mid-size executive and sports sedans. The Maxima debuted in 1976 as an upscale version of the Bluebird and was spun into its own line in 1980, having been made continuously since then. Most pre-2004 Maximas were built in Oppama, Japan, until the current North American Maximas started being assembled in Smyrna, Tennessee.

1976–1980

The Maxima model line began with the Nissan Bluebird Maxima, which was available in the US as Datsun 810 from February 1977. It was powered by two versions of the SOHC L-series I6 engine, a 2.0 L displacement for the Japanese market and a 2.4 L (as found in the Datsun 240Z) for the US market. The Bluebird Maxima used a carburetor for the base model and fuel injection for the sporty version. The 2.0 L engine was good for 122 PS JIS (90 kW), while the bigger American engine could reach 125 hp SAE (93 kW). These cars were rear-wheel drive and had had a semi-trailing arm rear suspension. The station wagon variant had the rear live axle for load carrying reasons.

The 2-door coupe version was introduced in 1979 along with an exterior refresh, and was available in the Maxima lineup in the Datsun 810 only. Datsun's new 280ZX shared the 810's chassis, though the 810 did not get that car's larger 2.8 L engine.

In the film 1980 film Gloria, an 810 was seen as a getaway vehicle after Gena Rowlands murders four hitmen.

1981–1983

The first car to wear the Maxima name was introduced in 1981. It was essentially a Japanese-market Bluebird 910 with a 3.9 in longer nose. The car was offered as the 810 Deluxe or 810 Maxima that first year, and all 810s became Maximas for 1982. In 1984, the last year of the first generation Maxima, American Datsuns began carrying the "Nissan" badge as well (only 1984 Nissans have both "Nissan" and "Datsun" on the back of the car). An episode of the MTV show Pimp My Ride featured a Maxima station wagon that Xzibit (the show's host and rapper) referred to as the "identity crisis" since the vehicle sported both Datsun and Nissan badges.

The power steering pump was sourced from General Motors' Saginaw Gear division. This was the second Nissan to use US-sourced parts besides the Borg-Warner T-5 transmission used in the Datsun 280ZX Turbo.

1984–1988

In the fall of 1984, the first front-wheel drive Maxima (based on the Bluebird U11) was introduced. This Maxima was available with a 157 hp (117 kW) 3.0 L V6 VG30E engine and a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission. 1988 was the last year for the Maxima station wagon, which had been offered since the Datsun 810 days. In late 1986, the 1987 Maxima was introduced with a freshened exterior and interior. Automatic lapbelts were new options on both the sedan and wagon.

1989–1994

The Maxima was redesigned in 1989 as the J30 model. This is the third generation of the Maxima. It was called the '4DSC' by Nissan (4-Door Sports Car) and even had a window decal showing this. It now featured a 160 hp (119 kW) 3.0 L V6, with a 190 hp VE30DE engine available starting in 1992. The VG30E was a unit that had been used in the previous line of Maxima, as well as the first-generation Nissan 300ZX. In the United States, the VG30E engine was used on all 1989-1994 GXE models, and the 1989-1991 SE models.

The VE30DE engine, plus a limited-slip differential, became standard on the SE models in 1992. The SE models can be further distinguished from the GXE by their white-faced gauges, twisted spoke turbine wheels, firmer sport suspensions, and optional 5-speed manual transmissions, which weren't offered on the GXE models after 1992. The automatic transmission on all GXE's and optional on SE's was an innovative compact unit from Jatco, featuring four-speed electronic control and adaptive 'sport' and 'comfort' modes that shift at different points.

During this year, the Maxima was first introduced to the UK market. It was made available as a choice of three models, the 3.0, 3.0S and 3.0SE. All options were available with an automatic transmission only.

The Maxima SE was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1990.

Unlike later models, the J30 had an independent rear suspension that was absent from the Maxima until the 2004 models.

By many Maxima enthusiasts, the J30 model is considered to be the best looking Maxima to date.

1995–1999

The car was redesigned again in 1995 as the A32. A new VQ30DE 190 hp (142 kW) 3.0 L V6 was the only engine option. Its smooth, powerful acceleration and long-term durability helped the Maxima earn its first "top ten engine of the year" award which it has now been recognized 10 years in a row. The car was redesigned to compete with the new Mazda Millenia.

The exterior was refreshed for 1997, with clear-lens headlights, a slightly different rear fascia with new taillights, and a chrome grille insert (body color for SE models) was added. Among interior changes were a different steering wheel and CD player. Front seat-mounted side impact airbags were added as an option for 1998 and 1999 models. The independent rear suspension was replaced with a cheaper torsion bar solid axle. There were also structural modifications to improve crash worthiness for the 1997 to 1999 models.

The North American 1995 Maxima included a Bose sound system on the GLE (optional on the SE) which had a 6 speaker sound system. The 4th generation Maxima was highly appraised for its roomy interior.

This Maxima was Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year for 1995. The Maxima SE again made Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1995 and 1996.

In addition, this version of the Maxima is the most popular with tuners or modders because of its low price and performance parts availability.

This particular generation was sold in Japan as the Nissan Cefiro, which previously was a separate rear wheel drive car. For the Japanese market, a Cefiro-badged station wagon was available. The Cefiro was sold in the US as the Infiniti I30.

2000–2003

The 2000 Maxima (designated A33) was a refresh of the previous car, designed at Nissan's La Jolla, California design studio. The engine was a 222 hp (166 kW) 3.0 L VQ30DE V6. This variant of the VQ30DE was referred to the VQ30DE-K. In this variation, there were three models (GXE, GLE, and SE). The GXE was the "base" Maxima. The GLE was the "luxury" variant and had 16" wheels. The GLE was the basis for the Infiniti I30, (JDM Nissan Cefiro). A 2001 20th Anniversary edition got an increase of 5 hp (4 kW), different interior treatment, body kit, special wheels and other tweaks,

In 2002, the engine was replaced for the whole lineup with a 3.5 L VQ35DE that produced 255 hp (190 kW) and 246 ft·lbf of torque. In addition, the model got a slight refresh with a larger grille opening, headlamps with high-intensity discharge (HID) low beams, a six-speed manual transmission with optional helical limited-slip differential, revised 17" six-spoke wheels on the SE models, new 17 inch seven spoke rims on the GLE models, clear taillights, and some interior and exterior refinements over the 2000 to 2001 models. In 2003, there was a special package called the Titanium Edition with special wheels and interior treatment, as well as a Meridian Edition package which included heated seats (most of the time leather, although some were available with heated cloth), and a GPS navigation system. The Titanium Edition was available in all colors, but a new color was available only with the Titanium Edition (Polished Titanium). The last generation Maxima GLE was the basis for the Infiniti I35.

2004—2006

The latest generation Maxima, codenamed A34, shares its platform with the Nissan Altima. In the US, it comes with the venerable VQ35DE, a DOHC V6 engine that now produces 265 hp (198 kW). The VQ35DE and its predecessor, the VQ30DE, have won Wards 10 Best Engines award every year since the competition's inception in 1995.

The VQ35DE is also used in the 350Z Track, Touring and 35th Anniversary Edition where in new models, it yields 221 kW. It is also present in the Nissan Murano, Infiniti G35 (Nissan Skyline sedan), Infiniti G35 coupe, Quest, Infiniti FX35, Infiniti M35, and the Altima.

Interestingly, in Australia, the Maxima has the same engine, but Nissan has set the maximum power to only 170 kW. The Australian version only comes with a four-speed automatic transmission. However, SEs in the US can be had with an optional five-speed automatic transmission. A six-speed manual is still standard on some models.

The rear independent suspension returns, this time using a multilink setup similar to the Altima.

Despite the tuned engine and the sportier positioning, it is slower than the Altima, thanks largely to its heavier weight (200 lb. up).

A smaller Maxima, from 2003, is sold in the Asia-Pacific region and based on the Nissan Teana. In some markets, it is sold as the Nissan Cefiro. It is built on the standard FF-L platform of the Altima, rather than the stretched FF-L used on the American-market Maximas. The American Maxima is known for a balance between sport and luxury; other models tend to focus more on comfort.

References

External links

Nissan Maxima | 日産・マキシマ

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