The new 2007 Nissan Maxima, which is scheduled to go on sale in early summer 2006, elevates Maxima’s position as Nissan’s flagship sedan with a redesigned exterior, a greatly refined interior and the addition of new, available technology features. Another significant change is the adoption of the smooth, efficient Nissan Xtronic CVT™ (Continuously Variable Transmission) in place of a traditional automatic transmission design on all models.
“As our premium model, Maxima reflects the company’s most advanced technology – including the CVT transmission, our award-winning VQ-series V6 and standard Intelligent Key,” said Brad Bradshaw, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division. “Of special note among the many changes for 2007 is the new interior, which has a richer, higher quality look and feel to go with Maxima’s always powerful performance.”
An Enhanced Exterior
Key changes and enhancements for the 2007 Maxima begin with the redesigned exterior, which evolves the classic Maxima performance coupe-like silhouette with its wedge-shaped front, broad arched beltline, distinctive C-pillar design with extensions and high rear deck.
The 2007 Maxima’s new front grille, hood, bumper and headlights give the front end a more contemporary appearance, balancing the sporty look of the deep front valance and large wheel openings. The headlights now include built-in cornering lights, while the fog lights have been moved to the front bumper. Xenon headlights are optional on the 3.5 SE and standard on the 3.5 SL model.
Other exterior changes include the use of more aggressive side sills and a more prominent rear spoiler (standard on the SE model), a new rear bumper design with available Rear Sonar System and redesigned dual tailpipe finishers.
Maxima’s dynamic performance stance is accented by new 17-inch (3.5 SL) and 18-inch (3.5 SE) 7-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels.
The 2007 Maxima is available in a choice of eight exterior colors: Winter Frost, Super Black, Majestic Blue, Sonoma Sunset and new colors Radiant Silver, Pebble Beach, Precision Gray and Dark Slate.
A New, Refined Interior
Maxima’s interior enhancements are equally aggressive, adding a higher level of quality, luxury and sportiness to match the revised exterior. The instrument panel features a redesigned center stack with improved control ergonomics and a new Fine Vision Meter gauge display for easier readability. The number of buttons and controls has been reduced and the Human Machine Interface (HMI) enhanced with a more intuitive feeling.
Comfort and convenience additions include standard Intelligent Key and auxiliary input jack and available 6-disc in-dash CD autochanger with mp3 capability.
The seats offer larger shoulder bolsters and a new, sporty sew pattern and the sliding center armrest has been redesigned for greater comfort and convenience. Simulated leather door panels and cowl finisher replace fabric surfaces on models with leather-appointed seats (standard on 3.5 SL, optional on 3.5 SE) and integrated chromed accents have been added to the transmission shift lever plate and door panels. Brushed aluminum trim is used on areas of the 3.5 SE, while a new wood tone trim is utilized on the 3.5 SL.
“The Maxima interior has a more upscale appearance, without losing any of its traditional sporty character,” said Bradshaw. “It delivers on the promise of driver-oriented performance, but adds more comfort for the passengers, a higher overall quality feel and more advanced features.”
The 2007 Maxima again offers a standard SkyView™ glass-paneled roof, which creates an open environment for front and rear passengers while maintaining a solid roof structure. The SkyView is a single elongated rectangular-shaped glass panel that stretches from the front of the roof to the back and comes with sliding sunshades to block out sunlight when desired. A traditional power sliding glass sunroof is optionally available in place of the SkyView.
Other interior features include illuminated steering wheel controls, available factory-installed satellite radio and available Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System. The Bluetooth system helps the driver to maintain focus on the road ahead without the distraction often met with hand held cell phone usage.
Maxima also offers a dot-matrix center display screen (non-Navigation System) that provides HVAC, audio system and trip computer functions in one central location, dual-zone automatic temperature control, rear air conditioning vents, sun visors with vanity mirrors and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, standard 8-way power driver’s seat (4-way power passenger seat on 3.5 SL) with available entry/exit feature.
Also available is a Bose® premium audio system with 8 speakers, AM/FM/6-disc in-dash CD changer, speed-sensitive auto volume control and available Nissan DVD-based navigation system with 7-inch color display. Heated front seats are standard on 3.5 SL and optionally available on 3.5 SE.
Three interior colors are offered again for 2007: Café Latté, Frost and Charcoal.
A Tradition of Exhilarating Performance
The heart of the new Maxima remains its powerful, award-winning 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 engine, now rated at 255 horsepower* and 252 lb-ft of torque.
The engine features 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 Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control (CVTCS), variable induction system, a silent timing chain and electronically controlled throttle.
All 2007 Maximas come equipped with a standard Xtronic CVT™ with manual mode, which is a sportier version of the unit utilized on the Nissan Murano. The Xtronic CVT is designed to create a true synergy between engine and transmission with smooth, responsive and efficient operation.
Nissan remains the industry leader in CVTs, with three separate CVT designs in production. More than just the efficiency advantages of CVT over conventional automatic transmissions, CVTs offers owners, as studies of Murano drivers have shown, real benefits in terms of smooth, responsive, trouble-free performance. CVTs will also be offered in the 2007 Altima, Sentra and Versa.
The 2007 Maxima also features a standard Traction Control System (TCS) and optional Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC).
Maxima’s responsive handling comes from a 4-wheel independent suspension design. The strut front suspension features coil springs and stabilizer bar, while the multi-link independent rear suspension offers outstanding stability by minimizing camber change during cornering. The rear shocks and springs are separated for reduced friction and the shock is in line with the center of the rear wheels, providing better damping and less harshness.
Braking is provided by standard 4-wheel 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). Steering is an engine-speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion design.
The 3.5 SE model offers standard 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and V-rated P245/45R18 tires. Maxima 3.5 SL features 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with H-rated P225/55R17 tires.
Advanced Safety Features
The 2007 Maxima comes equipped with standard Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage front supplemental air bags, front seat side-impact supplemental air bags for chest protection) and roof-mounted curtain side-impact air bags for front and rear outboard occupant head protection.
Also standard are front-seat Active Head Restraints, 3-point rear seat belts for all seating positions, front seat belts with adjustable upper anchors, pretensioners and load limiters, emergency inside trunk release, Zone Body construction with front and rear crushable zones, LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat anchors and tether system and Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
Models and Options
The 2007 Maxima is available in two well-equipped models, the 3.5 SE and 3.5 SL.
A number of options and packages are available, including a Premium Audio Package, with a Bose audio system with 8 speakers and AM/FM/6CD, RDS, speed sensitive volume control and pre-wired for satellite radio; Sensory Package which includes the Premium Audio Package, plus leather-appointed seats, 4-way power passenger seat, heated front seats and mirrors and digital compass.
Also offered are the Driver Preferred Package (3.5 SE) with Sensory Package contents, plus Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System, xenon headlights, Driver Memory System (memory driver’s seat, power tilt/telescopic steering wheel with memory, auto-dimming outside memory mirrors with auto tilt down in reverse), driver seat power lumbar support, power entry/exit seat, heated steering wheel and Rear Sonar; and Driver Preferred Package (3.5 SL) with Sensory Package contents, plus Driver memory System, Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System, power tilt/telescopic steering wheel with memory, auto-dimming outside memory mirrors with auto tilt down in reverse , driver seat power lumbar support, power entry/exit seat, heated steering wheel and Rear Sonar.
Available options include a DVD Navigation System with 7-inch color LCD display, a Power Glass Sunroof (replaces SkyView), Satellite Radio (XM® or Sirius™ providers), Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System and Vehicle Dynamic Control.
The new 2007 Maxima is assembled by Nissan North America Manufacturing Smyrna & Decherd Tennessee Plant.
Engine
3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 engine
255 hp @ 6,000 rpm
252 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
Emissions - ULEV/LEV2
Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS)
Nissan Direct Ignition System with
Platinum-tipped spark plugs
Electronic drive-by-wire
Variable Intake System
Drivetrain
Front engine/front-wheel drive
Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with manual mode
Traction Control System (TCS)
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with TCS2
Brakes
12.60" vented front discs/11.50" rear disc brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD)
Brake Assist
Suspension and Steering
Front: Independent subframe-mounted strut-type
Rear: Multi-Link independent
Front and rear stabilizer bars
Engine-speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering
