New Maxima revealed in Detroit
07 January 2003: DETROIT SHOW - The sixth generation Maxima unveiled at this week's Detroit motor show includes innovations including a new Skyview Roof, with a glass panel running lengthwise over the front and rear seats.
The new Maxima is scheduled to go on sale at 1,100 Nissan dealers throughout the US in March 2003. It will be offered in SE and SL models, both powered by a 3.5-litre engine unlikely to be offered when the model makes its way to Europe.
The new car has a much more aggressive style and stance than the vehicle it replaces. The C-pillar design, with subtle extensions beyond the rear backlight, forms a distinctive coupe-like silhouette. The front fascia is sharp and cleanly sculpted and features a distinctive Nissan signature grille with a rounded-rectangle shape pattern accentuated by a dark chrome finish, along with a deeply sculpted combination headlight cluster with optional xenon bulbs.
The Skyview Roof is a single elongated rectangular-shaped glass panel that stretches from the front of the roof to the back. It comes equipped with sliding sunshades. The long openings in the arched roofline increase the perceptual interior volume.
The cabin offers increases in all major interior dimensions from the previous generation Maxima, including a 2.9-inch longer wheelbase (increased from 108.3 to 111.2) and vehicle width increased 1.4 inches (increase from 70.3 to 71.7). Trunk space also increases 0.4 cubic feet, from 15.1 to 15.5.
An optional Elite Package 4-seat layout gives the interior a distinctive sports car-like design. With the Elite Package, the traditional bench style rear seat is replaced with two independent bucket seats. The design of the rear seats resembles the front seats.
The DOHC 24-valve V6 has been refined to produce 265 horsepower.