Maxima was introduced as a 1981 model and got its first V-6in 1984. Since then, Maxima has been the number one sellingV-6 import sedan, with more than 1.7 million sales to itscredit. "Maxima has an exceptionally loyal owner base,"Forsyth claimed, "with many buyers on their third or fourthMaxima -- simply because they cannot find a betterpackage." In Forsyth's view, the key to the Maxima's uniquepositioning is its "uncompromised balance of performanceand luxury. We call it a 60-60 per cent blend becauseMaxima hits both sides of the equation so well." On theperformance side, Nissan hopes that the new Maxima looksthe part more than ever. "The new Maxima is a road car withan autobahn flavor and a high want factor even though it isa sedan," said Jerry Hirshberg, president of Nissan DesignInternational, the California-based firm that designed thenew car. "Some of the best cars from Europe are sedans andthe new Maxima captures that flavor," Hirshberg said. "Therear view especially leaves what we call a memorable visualcalling card. We want other drivers to know that they'vejust been passed by a sedan with confidence and character."
Maxima's long association with V-6 power moved to a newplateau in 1995, when the current 3-liter engine made itsappearance. Since then, the DOHC, 24-valve powerplant hasbeen named one of the "10 Best Engines" by Ward's AutoWorld magazine for five consecutive years, and that's ahighly-regarded honor in automotive circles. For 2000, theengine has been refined through use of new intake andexhaust manifolds, Nissan Variable Induction System (NVIS)air intake control with a plastic intake collector, newequal length exhaust pipes, and the addition of a newvariable capacity muffler adopted from the high performanceNissan Skyline GT-R. A special muffler flap valve, usinghigh temperature aerospace spring technology and materials,opens at 3,000 rpm and above to reduce exhaust system backpressure. These changes help increase the engine'shorsepower from 190 to 222 and torque from 205 ft-lbs to217 ft-lbs, with the new horsepower peak coming at 6400 rpmand max torque reached at 4000 rpm. Additional refinementsfor 2000 include a new programmable engine control module(located inside the passenger compartment to increasereliability), a larger air intake chamber, a thickerradiator and new cooling fans, and a new 4-point enginemount design with two liquid (manual transmission) orelectronically (automatic transmission) controlled fluidmounts for reduced vibration. Along with theseperformance-related changes, the Maxima engine now alsooffers a 100,000-mile tune-up interval through the adoptionof double-tipped platinum spark plugs. This is a deep bowin the direction of a hassle-free ownership experience anda lower projected cost of ownership. There are twotransmission choices on the GXE and SE trims, beginningwith the 5-speed manual shifter that is the standardtransmission on both models, and moving to the 4-speedelectronically-controlled that's optional on both thosetrims and standard on the GLE. Both have been strengthenedto support the increased engine performance.