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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 aggressive performance stance is created by
its sporty proportions - a careful balance between wheelbase and overall length,
along with a wide front and rear track. The look is accented by 18-inch and
available 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with low-profile performance tires.
Maxima's exterior also 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 (with
smoke-colored headlights and a new dark chrome grille available with the
optional Sport Package), large bumper opening and bulging "catamaran-style" hood
to give Maxima a formidable expression, setting the tone for the rest of the
vehicle.
The powerful Maxima form continues along its profile, with
careful layering of the bumper, hood and fender parting lines. The polished,
elegant motion spreads from the deep-waisted rear fenders through distinctive
Maxima-style C-pillars and high trunk lid. At the rear, Maxima features a 12-LED
L-shaped taillight design, with a pair of side marker bulbs for added visibility
during night driving.
Another unique styling feature is the available
Dual Panel Moonroof, which combines a front section that moves like a normal
moonroof (positioned farther forward than typical) and a fixed translucent rear
section that provides light to rear seat passengers. The overall design gives
the appearance that the entire roof is composed of black glass. The Dual Panel
Moonroof includes dual power sunshades for both the front and rear glass
sections, adding a level of convenience. It is offered as part of the Premium
Package.
Maxima is available in a choice of nine exterior colors: Mystic
Jade, Crimson Black, Brilliant Silver, Metallic Slate, Super Black, Tuscan Sun,
Navy Blue, Ocean Gray and Winter Frost.
True Sports Sedan Performance
Utilizing Nissan's advanced "D platform" as its foundation, Maxima features
a standard 3.5-liter VQ-series V6 engine rated at 290 horsepower and 261 lb-ft
of torque. The engine includes 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 a Continuously Variable Valve
Timing Control System (CVTCS), a variable induction system, a silent timing
chain and electronically controlled throttle. Maxima also utilizes a six-point
engine mounting system, which includes upper and lower torque rods, high
rigidity front and rear aluminum brackets and front and rear switchable control
mounts to improve NVH performance under high engine torque conditions.
All 2011 Maximas come equipped with a refined Xtronic CVT with manual mode,
tuned specifically for Maxima's sporty driving character. For drivers seeking
more aggressive shift operation, "Ds mode" (drive sport) electronic control
logic programming provides increased acceleration feel with higher engine
revolutions, automatic engine braking and maintaining engine speed during
cornering. Available steering column-mounted paddle shifters allow for manual
transmission-like shift changes while the driver's hands remain on the wheel.
Maxima's suspension is designed to be both stimulating and relaxing,
combining responsive handling with a comfortable ride. The subframe-mounted
strut/coil spring front suspension makes extensive use of lightweight aluminum
parts. An X-type upper cowl structure helps provide front body rigidity for
suspension mounting. Maxima's multi-link independent rear suspension design,
also subframe-mounted, offers outstanding handling by minimizing camber change
during cornering. The rear shock absorbers and springs are separated and the
shocks are in line with the center of the rear wheels, providing excellent
damping and minimal harshness. Front and rear stabilizer bars are standard.
Braking is provided by standard 4-wheel vented 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). Maxima also features a Twin Orifice
Power Steering (TOPS) vehicle-speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering
system with the quickest steering ratio of any Nissan sedan (15.2:1) to help
provide its sporty steering feel. A strut tower brace contributes to Maxima's
steering precision and rigidity.
Every 2011 Maxima offers standard
18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and V-rated P245/45 R18 all-season tires. The
Maxima 3.5 SV model with Sport Package features 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels
with P245/40 R19 all-season or summer performance tires.
A Roomy,
Driver-Oriented Interior
Maxima's interior design provides the
feeling of a sports car with controls ergonomically close, yet with ample
roominess and comfort for both driver and passengers. The instrument panel
features "Daytime Illumination" electroluminescent meters, with a rotated
tachometer so engine redline is placed at the 12 o'clock position, and extensive
use of chrome surrounds for the gauges, vent rings, vent knobs and audio
switches. The three-spoke steering wheel is sport-oriented and its diameter has
been reduced (compared with the previous generation Maxima). Maxima Sport and
Premium Package models feature a unique "parallel" pattern steering wheel
stitching (versus the traditional baseball-style stitching) for enhanced grip. A
unique shiny gray stitch color is now included with the Sport Package.
The driver's seat includes an available manual thigh extension for long distance
driving and additional padding in the side bolsters for good lateral support
during sporty driving. The seat is also available with heating and cooling
functions and premium leather-appointed surfaces with special stitching. Also
available are power lower lumbar and memory functions. Maxima is available with
two different rear seat layouts - a 60/40 fold-down rear seat with access to the
trunk, and a fixed rear seat with center armrest pass-through for carrying long
items such as skis or other sporting equipment (Premium Package). Two interior
colors are offered: Café Latté and Charcoal.
Comfort and convenience features
include a standard moonroof, 8-way power drivers seat and 4-way power adjustable
front passenger seat, dual-zone automatic temperature control, cruise control
with illuminated steering wheel mounted controls, Nissan Intelligent Key with
Push Button Ignition, power windows and door locks, AM/FM/CD6/MP3 audio system
with eight speakers, Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System and available USB
connectivity.
Maxima comes equipped with standard Nissan Advanced Air Bag
System (AABS) with dual-stage front supplemental air bags, seat belt sensors and
an occupant classification sensor. Front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental
air bags and roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags for front
and rear outboard occupant head protection are also standard, along with
front-seat Active Head Restraints, 3-point rear seat belts for all seating
positions, front seat belts with pretensioners, load limiters and adjustable
upper anchors, pretensioners and load limiters, emergency inside trunk release,
Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones, LATCH (Lower Anchors
and Tethers for CHildren) and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Maxima
also features standard Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control
System (TCS).
Maxima received the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration's (NHTSA's) highest rating, 5 stars, for front- and side-impact
crash safety (2010 model).
Two Models
The 2011 Maxima is
offered in two well-equipped models. In addition to the long list of standard
features found on every Maxima 3.5 S model, Maxima 3.5 SV adds leather-appointed
sport seats, Bose premium audio system with nine speakers (including two
subwoofers and a center channel speaker), XM Satellite Radio (XM subscription
required, sold separately), HomeLink Universal Transceiver, fog lights and
outside mirrors with turn signal indicators.
A number of packages are
also offered, including the Sport Package with sport-tuned suspension, 19-inch
wheels, rear spoiler, High Intensity Discharge (HID) Xenon headlights, heated
outside mirrors with reverse tilt-down feature, automatic entry/exit system with
two-driver memory, heated front seats and steering wheel, paddle shifters,
metallic finish trim, premium leather-appointed seats, plus new smoked headlight
covers and dark chrome grille.
The Premium Package includes the Dual
Panel Moonroof with rear roof window and front and rear power retractable
sunshades, High Intensity Discharge (HID) Xenon headlights, heated outside
mirrors with reverse tilt-down feature, automatic entry/exit system with
two-driver memory, heated front seats and steering wheel, paddle shifters,
premium leather-appointed seats, Eucalyptus wood-tone trim, 7.0-inch color
monitor, 2.0GB Music Box (800MB for music storage), RearView Monitor and more.
Tech Packages are available for Maxima SV, SV Sport and SV Premium and
include an advanced Nissan Hard Drive Navigation System with Voice Recognition,
9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive, XM NavTraffic with Real-Time Traffic Information, XM
NavWeather (XM subscription required, sold separately), Streaming Audio via
Bluetooth, 7.0-inch touch screen color monitor and DVD playback capability.
Other available packages include a Monitor Package, High Intensity Discharge
(HID) Xenon Headlight, Cold Package and 19-inch Summer Tires.
Nissan Maxima: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications