Being new I searched the posts, but didn't find any recent data that showed more info.

Any news on the HP and release dates......facts, rumor, etc...on the next generation of Maximas?

I've heard 260+hp and 2003, but any information would be appreciated.

tim

 

Motor Trend says 3.5L v6 packing 260 - 270 hp but this is 2002 Maxima not 2003, the 2003 is suppose to be a larger chassi with a v8 ... but again these are all rumors..

 

Thanks. Sounds like a good bet. I can see them upping the displacement to 3.5l That would yield some good gains. Hopefully the Auto Tranny will have improved performance.

One thing I like about my GTP is that it has gobs of torque and even with an automatic it jumps off the line. I drive through the gears at times but just can't see going back to a manual. Just my thing.

I may buy at the end of this year if I find something I really like or may wait until 2002 for an early 2003 model, but can't see waiting beyond mid 2002 or so.

Heck, I personally couldn't justify what the V8 will probably cost anyway.

Who knows....maybe the New Z even

tim
who has had an 89 Maxima and
a 90 TT Z

 

What issue of motor trend was it that said that?

 

260 HP ..... drool.....

We all know that Nissan can easily make a 260hp engine from a 3.5L V6. My question is: How much will WE be able to get out of it? I'd like to see what Don in Texas could do with something like that.

 

It's the newest issue with features on the new Z and Sentra SE-R. In the feature on the SE-R, Dave Coleman said that the 6-sp tranny from the Spec-V will be used on a 260hp Maxima.
I'm sure we could get plenty of gains from the 3.5. The extra power comes from a displacement increase, so a lot of the usual mods(CAI, Y-pipe, B-pipe, etc. Possibly even the SC!) should work just as well-if not better-on the 3.5L.

 

hopefully if nissan doesn't change the engine too much, maybe we can swap a couple of parts from the 3.5 into an older gen to get some gains

 

supercharge that baby. bahahahha lets run one of them LS430s...

 

Here is the link to MT that I listed on an earlier thread...pretty interesting stuff.

http://www.motortrend.com/future/2002_2.html

 

There are tons of links, I have personaly added to 4 or 5 of them.

To resume:

2002:

No size change, possible SLIGHT stiling changes. (maybe take a sledge hammer to that butt ugly back end...) Big selling points... VQ35, hauled from the pathfinder @ 260-275HP. 260 is the lowest it will be, but Nissan is certainly waiting to see what others will do so that it can program its ECU to make 5 HP more than the new TL-S. (Ba$tard$) It ***MAY*** have a 6 speed stick and 5 speed slopomatic.

2003: (maybe 2004, 3 years is too short)
***COMPLETE*** change, rear wheel drive, 4-4.5L Independant suspension. It will be the Nissan brother of the Q45.

2002 is your last chance to get a real Maxima. If you want a Maxima in 2004, get an Altima. The Altima is going to the Max platform with 240HP.

Can someone PLEASE make an FAQ on this.

 

We all know that more isn't always better. Seems like the Max has been getting slower every year, so even now 217 or 227 doesn't break the 7 second 0-60. You really can't blame weight because it's still a very light car for its overall dimensions. I think to go over 230 hp it's not too bright to keep a FWD platform, because Volvo has done this for years, it's been 268 since 1999 but you don't see driving enthusiasts flocking to it because it's FWD.

IMHO to go upwards of 250 hp one has to think RWD. My 190 hp has never been able to not spin in the rain unless the power is very gently applied, 250 isn't gonna help.

 

Hey Johnny, the Volvos are only 236hp......NOWHERE near 270.

You don't think a FWD car can survive over 250hp.....look at the Acura CL Type S (260hp) or the Cadillac STS (300hp) both front drivers and doin it in style.

BriGuyMax

PS - The 222 hp max that you're talking about DOES break 7 seconds 0-60....6.7 Motor Trend tested I believe.

 

Hey Johnny, the Volvos are only 236hp......NOWHERE near 270.

You don't think a FWD car can survive over 250hp.....look at the Acura CL Type S (260hp) or the Cadillac STS (300hp) both front drivers and doin it in style.

BriGuyMax

PS - The 222 hp max that you're talking about DOES break 7 seconds 0-60....6.7 Motor Trend tested I believe. [/I][/QUOTE]

http://www.edmunds.com/vehicles/2001...ylturbo4a.html

You're probably thinking S70, I'm thinking S80, which has 268 hp. I've taken both the S80 and DeVille to the airport, and the DeVille actually is a car that I like a lot. I think the led tails are killer. But with 300 hp to the front-wheels, I'd rather have a 290 hp Lex or Jag any day. Asking the fronts to drive and steer is fighting the laws of physics. Understandably FWD is very cheap to manufacture, but sometimes you get results when you spend more.

 

I understand where you're coming from, it's just more practical in my climate (Chicago) to have a front driver, therefore even in a performance sense...I'm sometimes biased to them. My pops has a 2001 Lexus GS 430...and MAN is that thing amazing....rear drive is fun as long as the weather doesn't get crappy.

BriGuyMax

 

Volvo has come a long way.

I'm looking at and drove my buddy's S60 Sedan. 247hp out of an inline 5 cyl. Turbo. FLLLLAAATTT as hell torque curve and according to magazine tests pulls a 14.9 in the 1/4 mi.

FWD yes, but it corners like, well....you're ice skating. It's real nice, but fully loaded and $41k....a bit pricey for what I want to drive.

tim

 

I went to that link in MotorTrend. anyone else notice the Toyota 4000GT? 400 Hp Supra predecessor.2002!

 

http://www.freshalloy.com

 

I am going to the Atlanta Auto show next friday and hopefully will see that Maxima or the Altima, and hopefully that 4000GT, I will take pictures of what I see and post them on a website when I get back.

 

Im definitley going to consider it! I believe the end has come to the Maxima, that is unless you have the 40G's for it.

Tim