New Nissan Maxima Production Started

Nissan has officially gone into full production of their new 4-door sporty flagship model, the eight generation 2009 Nissan Maxima. Today the first unit rolled off the assembly line at Nissan's Smyrna, Tenn. manufacturing plant.

The new Maxima is built on Nissan's new D-Platform, but is powered by an upgraded 'old' 3.5 liter VQ V6 engine producing 290 hp, 35 hp more than the outgoing model but still less than the new 3.7 liter V6 with 330 hp (as found in the Infiniti G37). The engine is coupled to a new Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with manual and Ds (drive sport) mode for a more sporty drive.

"We set out to create one of the best performing front engine, front-wheel drive sedans in the world," said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan division, Nissan North America. "The Maxima delivers on all levels offering the value, quality, and exhilarating performance consumers have come to expect from Nissan."

The Nissan Maxima was first introduced in the US back in 1981, and today four of every five sold are still on the road today. The new 2009 model will come in two guises, the Maxima 3.5 S and Maxima 3.5 SV. Pricing will announced before the sales start in early summer 2008.