This may be a preview of things to come for the Maxima 6th gen in AWD: The Nissan Murano has the VQ35 AWD with a CVT. The Murano goes against the likes of the X5 and the Mercedes ML series. What really caught my attention when I was glancing at the article on it is that the Murano can out-accelerate the top of the line X5 4.6is and give an ML55 a damned good run for its money as well?? Holy bajeezus, I didn't realize it would be THAT good! The main reasons the Murano is soo good is
1) The VQ35 motor
2) The Murano as an SAV (not SUV) weighs several HUNDRED pounds less than an X5 or ML.
3) The CVT with it's much more efficient transfer of power to the wheels. Much more efficient than even a manual tranny.

Those 3 factors combine to make one killer SAV.

The one drawback to the Murano as an SAV maight be that b/c of its lighter weight, it may not be as crash worthy as the X5s and MLs. Oh well, can't win them all.

Hopefully, Nissan may just transfer that CVT to the Maxima since most of the homework for AWD and dealing with the VQ35s TQ is already dealt with in the Murano. Wow, that is gonna be something if that happens.

Also, I didn't realize, but Audi CVT ONLY comes in FWD. Go figure, the AWD Quattro gurus haven't mated a CVT to AWD yet. Nissan beat them to it

Nissan is on the move.

DW

 

where was this article? I thought the 4.6is was in the 6's for 0-60? I think I've seen the murano in the 7's.

 

I think you read the wrong article or mistook the FX45 for a Murano. The Infiniti FX45 out-accerlated the X5 4.6i and the ML55, as well as out-braking them too. The various car mags said it handles as good as an X5 4.6i as well.

 

The Car and Driver online review is here

I test drove a Murano SE last weekend and I came away VERY impressed. The CVT is just to cool!! The Murano has great highway acceleration. When you punch it at highway speeds it's almost like having my max in 3rd gear, instant power. There wasn't that much nose dive and body sway wasn't to bad considering it's almost a 4,000 lb vehicle. The ride was a little firm but not to bad. The suspension is definetly tuned more for feel than comfort. From what I've been reading so far is that the epa mileage estimates are a little high and most people are getting 18-20 mpg in mixed driving.

The latches in the cargo area of the Murano that lowers the rear seats is a great idea and is simple to use. You don't have to remove the headrests or fold down the lower seat first. Just pull and it lowers. The manual adjusting HID's were a neat feature as well.

Man, I thought I would never see the day when I would consider a vehicle like this. The Murano is d!mn sporty for what it is and I can do alot more things with it then I can in Maxima.

 

I wish I could remember where I saw the article, but yes, it was the Murano, because it has the CVT, not the FX45. That's why I was highly impressed. a 3.5 V6 going up against those V8 German bad boy SAVs. Speedtrip has a link from Car and driver, but that's not the one I read. I'll look for it.

Anyways, if and when Nissan transplants that CVT with AWD to the 6th gen Max, it'll be awesome! That new Max will be gunning for the A6 Quattro, VW W8 etc. I bet the germans are getting quite ****ed off with Nissan Esepcially VW, I mean, they went to all that trouble to make scrunch 2 V4s togetther, for what?? The hp numbers aren't amazing, and the curb weight is a hefty 4000 lbs. Too much technology and not enough oomph. Along comes Nissan with a V6 AWD CVT that'll take it on. Hah!

DW

 

Can't 2002-03 Altima owners do this already? Has any Altima owner done it? An AWD Altima would be kick *** as well.

 

The comparison must have been against an X5 4.4i because the X5 4.6is runs 0-60 in the 6.xx range.


The Murano is definitely a sweet ride for those that want the room/utility of an SUV/SAV but still want a car with good handling and acceleration. I'd definitely get one if I was in the market for a mid-sized SUV.

My fiance still likes her Highlander better, though

 

It ain't gonna happen. According to news out of NADA, the Infiniti G35 will get AWD this spring or summer. No way Nissan will overlap model features like that from their premier brand to their lesser brand.

CVT? Possibly. AWD? Think again.

 

Nah, I see the Maxima getting the AWD before the G35. Like I said earlier, 80% of the mechanical homework is done, riding inside the Murano. Transverely mounted VQ35 motor mated to a CVT driving all wheels. The Maxima has a transversely mounted VQ35 motor , just add the drivetrain from the Murano, tweak it for lower ground clearance application, and voila With the G35, you got a longitudinally mounted VQ35 and I don't see anywhere else in Nissan's product line where they have that. Maybe the FX35? Also, the G35 strikes me as a niche vehicle, just really meant for the RWD market.

DW

 

Nah, I see the Maxima getting the AWD before the G35. Like I said earlier, 80% of the mechanical homework is done, riding inside the Murano. Transverely mounted VQ35 motor mated to a CVT driving all wheels. The Maxima has a transversely mounted VQ35 motor , just add the drivetrain from the Murano, tweak it for lower ground clearance application, and voila With the G35, you got a longitudinally mounted VQ35 and I don't see anywhere else in Nissan's product line where they have that. Maybe the FX35? Also, the G35 strikes me as a niche vehicle, just really meant for the RWD market.

DW

 

If the G35 coupe gets AWD I see it being in the new GTR which is due here in two years and will be priced in the $55K range. I can't wait. I doubt the whole G35 lineup will be getting AWD. It makes more sense to offer it in the Maxima. The Infiniti G35 crowd is a sporting bunch and would rather have RWD. They also have the FX for AWD.

 

I also belive the G35 sedan will get it before the Maxima by at least one model year. I don't know why but it's just a feeling.

They have an AWD G35 (skyline) in Japan and I am sure that will make it here.

 

A $55k Nissan? For that price Infiniti will get AWD before Nissan will.

 

BTW... My statement that the G35 is getting AWD is NOT a feeling, but fact. According to an NADA trade publication, Infiniti dealers have been told they are going to be getting AWD in the G35 this spring or summer. Like I said, I cannot see the Maxima getting AWD... first because of overlap of the G35, and second Nissan could not sell enough AWD's at around $36K a pop... which is what it would end up costng.

Anyways, Nissan went with the Altima platform for the FWD (and cheapness, if you ask me), not the G35's, which would "need" an AWD version for all those wusses in the northeast who can't drive a RWD family sedan in the snow! The 2004 Maxima is already snow friendly.

Look at the flak Chrysler is getting from dealers who are scared that their upcoming large cars are switching to RWD, while ignoring the inherently better driving dynamics RWD brings to the party!

IMO the Maxima should have moved back to a RWD platform.
Premium feel, better weight distribution, and simpler drivetrain for the flagship, I say.
What better platform to use for Nissan's 4DSC than the one used for the 350Z? Nissan has proven it CAN be stretched (G35, FX45, et al).
I've owned both RWD and FWD... rear drive is superior. Oh well, maybe next generation!

To repeat, though, AWD for the G35 is NOT speculation.

 

RWD is better for the enthusiast. I feel that if you really want to take advantage of RWD from an the enthusiasts point of view, it has to have a manually tranny too. But anyway, RWD, despite being better performancewise, is limited in terms of practicality. Less roomy, not as bad weather savvy as FWD. By having a RWD platfrom, you automatically limit your market, I'm sure the G35 doesn't do too well in places like Canada, where snow is very common. But the FWD Maxima can be sold everywhere. Having said all this, I'm kinda shooting myself in the foot because the argument would only follow that the G35 NEEDS AWD much more than the Maxima Oh well

On a slightly different note, if the G35C keeps its 6 speed and gets AWD, and adds a supercharger, then the Skyline has really been fully re-incarnated

DW

 

foget supercharger, throw on greddy's twin turbo kit from the 350z