I've heard that it is supposed to have a 3.5L V6 with 260 horses from various sources but has anybody heard anything about how it will look?

 

2002 Maxima gets 3.5L V6 250-260 hp
2002 Altima gets 3.2L V6 ~230 hp
2003 Maxima redesigned based on Altima platform carrying over the 3.5L engine.

Fearless prediction: Right now stock '01 5-speed Maximas can run high-14s@94-95 mph with 222 hp. The '02 Maxima with 260 hp and manual trans should run mid-low 14s@98 mph. That trap speed indicates highway roll accelerations on the order of Lexus GS400s, pre '01 BMW M3s, and stock LT1 f-bodies.

 

I heard the Altma was going to be around 200Hp, not more then the current Max. None of this is fact yet anyhow.