July 11, 2001

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Preview:
2002 Nissan Maxima

Scheduled to go on sale next month, the 2002 Nissan Maxima offers a new 260 horsepower 3.5 litre V6, 6-speed manual transmission, and more luxury and safety features

A new 260 horsepower 3.5 litre DOHC V6 engine, available 6-speed manual transmission and numerous exterior, interior and feature refinements are the major changes to the 2002 Nissan Maxima which was last redesigned for the 2000 model year.

Other key additions include Brake Assist, Electronic Brake force Distribution, standard High Intensity Discharge (HID) xenon headlights, standard LCD trip computer, available heated seats and steering wheel and available Nissan Navigation System.

"For the 2002 model year, we've turned up Maxima's appeal many degrees in both performance and luxury," said Bill Kirrane, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. "It continues to be true to its 'Maxima-ness' - which we define as the heart and soul of the performance/luxury sedan - but it's now an even bigger cut above the competition."

Revised styling

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The Maxima's exterior styling has been revised for 2002 with a new front grille and aggressive front fascia with a larger air intake, new 4-bulb headlight design with High Intensity Discharge (HID) xenon headlights, standard side-sill spoilers for a low, aggressive look, standard 16-inch (GXE) or redesigned 17-inch wheels (with different designs for SE and GLE models) and new UV-reducing solar glass.

The rear has new rear taillights with clear lenses and revised vehicle badging featuring the new Nissan logo. Dual chrome exhaust tips (SE/GLE) provide the finishing visual touch.

Three new exterior colours are available on 2002 Maxima - Tungsten Blue, Glacier Pearl and Majestic Blue.

260 horsepower engine

Since 1995, Maxima has been known for its smooth V6 engine. Its 3.0 litre powerplant, part of the VQ engine series, has been named one of the "10 Best Engines" by Ward's Auto World for seven consecutive years. Ward's editors have written that it is "simply, the best V6 engine available in America."

For 2002, the VQ engine has been enlarged to 3.5 litres. This DOHC 24-valve V6 now produces 260 horsepower and 246 lb-ft of torque, increases of 38 horsepower and 29 lb-ft of torque over the 2001 Maxima's 3.0-liter engine. Besides the increased displacement, other enhancements made to the engine include a silent timing chain and electronically controlled throttle.

The engine also features a modular engine design, 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. An equal-length tuned exhaust with a variable capacity muffler derived from the one on the high performance Nissan Skyline GT-R reduces exhaust system backpressure, adds power and gives Maxima a quiet, yet throaty, sound.

Additional features of the engine package include an engine control module located inside the passenger compartment for reliability, a thick radiator and a four-point engine mount design with liquid-filled (manual transmission) or electronically controlled fluid (automatic transmission) mounts to reduce vibration. Double platinum-tipped spark plugs give Maxima a 160,000 kilometre tune-up interval, providing a lower projected cost of ownership.

A new large engine cover with the Nissan logo completes the engine compartment of the 2002 Maxima.

New 6-speed manual transmission

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For the first time on Maxima, a close-ratio 6-speed manual will be standard on SE models (available October, 2001). This transmission optimizes the powerband of the new 3.5 litre engine and is geared towards the serious driving enthusiast. For additional handling performance, a helical limited-slip differential is optional on manual transmission Maximas (available December, 2001). This mechanical differential is torque sensitive and provides instantaneous locking for increased traction and performance.

All 2002 Maxima GXE and GLE models come equipped with a standard 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission (optional on SE), which has been strengthened for use with the 3.5 litre V6. The automatic features a gated shifter for better transmission control and a traction control system is optional on GLE and SE models with automatic transmission.

Maxima's rear multi-link and beam axle suspension was refined for the fifth generation Maxima through use of thicker front and rear stabilizer bars, adoption of larger, softer trailing link bushings and a relocation of the system's unique lateral link to behind the rear beam. SE models feature special sport tuning for maximum handling prowess.

SE and GLE offer large 17-inch wheels with model-specific designs and H-rated (GLE) or V-rated (SE) tires. GXE features 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels as standard equipment for 2002 (up from 15-inch steel wheels) for a sportier look and better handling.

The Maxima's performance is reinforced by a refined engine-speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering and enhanced 4-wheel disc brakes with 16 millimeter larger front discs and 4-channel/4-sensor Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).

Brake system upgrades for 2002 include two advanced systems - Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) which optimizes braking force depending on passenger and cargo load and Brake Assist, which ensures maximum braking capacity is utilized to aid in hard or panic braking situations.

Enhanced cabin

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The 2002 Maxima's interior features numerous improvements, including new, more supportive seat designs, new titanium-colour gated automatic transmission shifter and titanium-colour inside door handles, redesigned audio system faceplates, a new gauge package and a steering-wheel controlled multi-function trip computer with outside temperature display, distance to empty, fuel economy and drive time counters.

Other refinements for 2002 include standard HVAC microfilter ventilation system with reusable, washable filter, multi position slide sunroof switch, power driver's seat with memory function and entry/exit feature (GLE, opt. SE A/T) and an upgraded 7-speaker 200-watt Bose" audio system with in-dash 6-disc CD changer, radio data system (RDS) and speed-sensitive volume control (GLE, opt. SE).

The Maxima GXE also features enhanced content for 2002 - many items that were formerly on the option list have now become standard equipment. This includes an 8-way power driver's seat with manual adjustable lumbar support, height-adjustable center console lid, premium 6-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with steering wheel audio controls, auto-dimming inside rearview mirror, cargo net and HomeLink" Universal Transceiver.

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Other luxury touches include the extensive use of noise, vibration and harshness countermeasures, isolation of wind and road noise, generous storage space (including room in the centre console for 16 compact discs), "one-touch" auto up and down driver's window and sunroof, auto on/off headlights, a second 12-volt power outlet and 60/40 split fold-down rear seat with anti-theft lock function.

Maxima SE models feature sporty seat cloth, leather-wrapped steering wheel, titanium-colour gauge faces with black numerals and drilled metal accelerator, brake and clutch pedals on helical limited-slip differential-equipped SEs. GLE models feature standard leather-appointed seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift lever and wood-tone interior trim.

The 2002 Maxima is available in three interior colours.

Safety features

Maxima safety features include an impact dispersion body side structure which includes reinforced roof side rails, B-pillars and side sills, pipe-style steel side-door guard beams, dual-stage front supplemental air bags, 3-point front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters, front-seat active head restraints, an emergency inside trunk-release latch, LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat anchorage system and available front seat side-impact supplemental air bags.

Option packages

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The 2002 Maxima is available in three models: GXE, GLE and performance SE. A number of options and option packages are available on the Maxima, including Meridian Edition, with heated front seats, steering wheel and outside mirrors; Leather Package, which includes leather-appointed seats, 4-way power passenger's seat and power driver's seat with memory function and entry/exit feature (SE A/T, standard GLE); Power Glass Sliding Sunroof with tilt function (SE, GLE); front seat side- impact supplemental air bags (SE, GLE); traction control system (SE automatic, GLE); helical limited-slip differential (SE manual); Bose‚ audio system (SE, standard on GLE) and Nissan Navigation System (SE, GLE).

Maximas will be in showrooms in August.

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