This luxury sedan can also be equipped with a two-pane sunroof. The kit gives the impression that the roof is almost entirely made of glass. The front part opens to air out the cabin, while the rear part is fixed and floods the rear seats with light. To ensure the comfort of its passengers, two power sunshades have been included, one for each pane.
Sport sedan engine
The Maxima is powered by a 3.5-litre, multivalve, V6 engine. Dubbed VQ35, it generates 290 hp, 20 hp more than the variation of the same engine that can motivate the Altima.
The potent mill ensures lively acceleration and allows the Maxima to bound from 0 to 100 km/h in about 7 seconds. This relatively quick dash fits with what Nissan calls a “4-door sports car”.
The power is dispatched to the road by way of a continuously variable Xtronic automatic transmission (like the Altima V6). It features a manual mode optimized for the Maxima’s sporty personality. Steering wheel paddles allow you to manually change gears without letting go of the wheel. The driving enthusiast won’t be disappointed, as the system allows you to get the most out of the responsive engine.
Too bad the paddles are optional, though. Shouldn’t they naturally be part of the standard equipment of a, ahem, “4-door sports car”?
On the other hand, critics of CVT transmissions (yes, they exist!) won’t be irritated by the Maxima’s. On the contrary, it’s extremely smooth. What’s more, it isn’t accompanied by all the high-revving ruckus associated with less sophisticated systems, nor engine braking when you ease off the pedal.
In fact, there’s only one unexpectedly annoying thing about this powertrain: there’s considerable torque steer the minute you enthusiastically urge the car on. I’d expect that from a 1985 Maxima, but not a 2011 model!
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| The Maxima’s VQ35 engine generates 290 snorting ponies, which justifies the “4-door sports car” label Nissan slapped on its sedan. (Photo: Luc Gagné/Auto123.com) |
Sport sedan engine
The Maxima is powered by a 3.5-litre, multivalve, V6 engine. Dubbed VQ35, it generates 290 hp, 20 hp more than the variation of the same engine that can motivate the Altima.
The potent mill ensures lively acceleration and allows the Maxima to bound from 0 to 100 km/h in about 7 seconds. This relatively quick dash fits with what Nissan calls a “4-door sports car”.
The power is dispatched to the road by way of a continuously variable Xtronic automatic transmission (like the Altima V6). It features a manual mode optimized for the Maxima’s sporty personality. Steering wheel paddles allow you to manually change gears without letting go of the wheel. The driving enthusiast won’t be disappointed, as the system allows you to get the most out of the responsive engine.
Too bad the paddles are optional, though. Shouldn’t they naturally be part of the standard equipment of a, ahem, “4-door sports car”?
On the other hand, critics of CVT transmissions (yes, they exist!) won’t be irritated by the Maxima’s. On the contrary, it’s extremely smooth. What’s more, it isn’t accompanied by all the high-revving ruckus associated with less sophisticated systems, nor engine braking when you ease off the pedal.
In fact, there’s only one unexpectedly annoying thing about this powertrain: there’s considerable torque steer the minute you enthusiastically urge the car on. I’d expect that from a 1985 Maxima, but not a 2011 model!
 |
| Shifter paddles accompany the automatic transmission with manual mode – but only as an option. (Photo: Luc Gagné/Auto123.com) |