I created models of the new 04 Maxima's in CarTest2000. I don't have any solid numbers yet, though. Just be forewarned, the Gen6 Max's are a good 200lb heavier than the Gen5.1's. And the larger and likely heavier 18" wheels on the SE models are going to add more unsprung weight and drag the car down further. Also, who knows how much power to the wheels the new car are *really* going to have, but whatever it is, it's probably not going to be significant enough to offset the weight difference.

So it's looking more and more like the Gen6's are going to be SLOWER cars than the 02/03's , but still faster than any of the previous 3.0 Maxima's.

I'll try to get some solid performance numbers tonight to post up. The problem is that CarTest2000 assumes 15" wheels, and the algorithms for wheel/tire weight compensation are not accurate. So I'm having to continuously re-run the 02/03 models until I get more or less typical numbers for these cars, and then I'll apply that to the 04's with some small additional adjustments for the 18's.


Stay tuned

 

i want to see how this hp / lb ratio works out

 

Impossible to really know until somebody dyno's unfortunately. They also didn't release the peak power/torque RPM's yet, so it's all a guessing game. I think the marketers are still fighting with the engineers trying to figure out what they can get away with safely. Nissan will want this car to go up against the W8 Passat, with 270HP, so it looks like they're trying to stretch the figures again to me.

02/03 255HP/246TQ is really more like 240-245HP/265TQ

04 265HP/255TQ ?? Any guesses?

 

Next year it will be 19" wheels...
why do they keep getting bigger? My car accelerates faster with my snow tires on 15" steel wheels, than with my performance summer tires on the 17" alloys. 28 lbs versus 45 lbs.
You CAN feel the difference.

 

I am agreeing with you, I think they will be a tad slower.

 

Well, I've pretty much come to the conclusion that I can't come to a conclusion just yet.

Full power figures are not published yet, and even when they are, who knows what they'll *REALLY* be this time, knowing Nissan. Plus who knows how much extra drag these 18's are gonna cause. Too many unknowns. I think at best the 6spd will only match the performance of the 02/03's. That new 5AT is a different story, though. The gearing is much closer together than with the old 4AT. Even if the ET's are the same or slightly slower, the trap speeds should be up from 92 to around 94 or so.

Here's the gearing layout...

1st: 47
2nd: 72
3rd: 111
4th: 165
5th: 220

5th is obviously a very tall cruising gear, and 4th is the highway burner. But 1-3 are much closer together now and should give improved 1/4 mile and around town pep. The old 4AT was set at about 45, 80, and 128 which was much taller and wider.

The 4AT in the SL has the same exact ratios as before.

 

How do you know how much the 6th gen weighs? I can't find that information anywhere.

 

http://www.nissannews.com/nissan/200...ma/index.shtml

Did anyone see this?!

The 5AT is STANDARD on the SE, and the 6MT is OPTIONAL


So will the "optional" 6MT reduce the price, or will we have to pay more for it?


The fact that it's optional will actually change some things. That means the curb weight was listed for the 5AT Maxima, which would be heavier. The "optional" 6MT will reduce the weight by about 60lb, bringing the G6 SE 6MT curb weight from 3432lb to about 3372lb. Still a lot heavier (by about 150lb) compared to the 02/03's, but not as heavy as expected.


I think it's all going to come down to how Nissan actually rated the power this time around. If 265HP really is 265HP (220-225whp manual, 205whp automagic) then the new Maxima will probably be just as fast as (but not faster than) the old one. If it's still over-rated then it'll probably be a slower car overall.


Can't wait to see some dynos

 

My guess is the manual will be a "no cost" option on the SE. In other words, same price, you pick it. Wasn't the base MSRP the same for the manual and auto on the 02 & 03s?

 

Where did you find the curb weight information?

 

i don't know about the us but in canada it was a $900cdn option for the auto+TCS for the 2k3

 

bigger is better (looks wise atleast)

 

yepp...and those 245's are impressive too

 

They are impressive until you have to replace them, hell you will be broke look at what the tires cost for the 00-03 Se's (stock).

 

Even if the 5th gen 3.5 was faster, it should only be a little faster, does it matter? I mean, the 6th gen offers a WHOLE lot of new goodies that the 5th, 4th and even 3rd gens NEVER had. Like Skyview, console seating for 4, independant rear suspension, 320 watt 8 speaker BOSE, 6 speed,much roomier etc. Yes, the previous generations had some of the stuff, but the 6th has it all.

The 1st thing I would do if I bought one is get rid of that damned tooth!

DW

 

Yeah for the 02/03 the manual and the auto had the same MSRP for equally loaded. Of course since the Maxima became a 6-speed and it wasn't common, they raised the prices on the manuals.

 

Remember all the great 4th Gen vs 5th Gen 3.0 debates?

Coming soon to orgy flame wars near you: Battle of the 3.5's! Gen5 vs Gen6!

Agreed, even on the tooth point!

Nevertheless, it's going to be interesting to see which car really is faster and who will have bragging rights afterall. hehee