Low-end torque. Low-end torque is easier to increase by increasing displacement, than using airflow tricks (intake/exhaust) to increase it.
That's why this is being used in an SUV, not a sport sedan.

 

It was, AFAIK the Xterra S/C used a VG-series V6 (think 300ZX, VG 3rd gen Max, etc.) which was 3.3L I think... VG33ER maybe?

 

God created the Rear Wheel Drive Maxima, and it was good. Then a few years later the Nissan engineeres ****ed it up and put the engine in sideways.

I would LOVE to see another RWD Maxima.

 

no wait...it was a s/c 3.3l v6...hmm

 

FWD is cheaper to produce, the engineers did what they were told. Just like when the 3rd gen had an indy rear and the 4th and 5th did not. Engineers designed what they were told by their execs so that Nissan could save money. Many people don't even understand how costly RWD is to mfg. Look at a Honda CR-V, Mitsubishi Avenger?, Ford Escape, from the back. You can see moving parts. You think you see that on a 325xi? Of course not. Again, that is to save money. This whole "can Nissan build a RWD Maxima" question, of course they can. But will they? Why should they? Their audience is very happy with the way things are. After all, they love a car built in TN.

 

A rwd drive maxima will not be made, 90% of maxima owners are not racers but they are older people with families that dont care about doing dounts.


Sales would drop alot in all parts of the country that have snow!

An awd model may be made to compete with audi and subaru sales...but a RWD would be pointless.

 

Overall Maxima sales have dropped with the new model. Mostly because of the Altima which is easily the best selling Nissan product in history.

 

Nissan Fuga 350GT would be a perfect next gen Maxima down optioned M35

Avalon might be going RWD as well... and Buicks are all going that way, why shouldnt Nissan?

 

How many doors does the M35 have?