Taken straight from NissanNews.com:

For 2002, the VQ engine has been enlarged to 3.5 liters. This DOHC 24-valve V6 now produces 255 horsepower and 246 lb-ft of torque, increases of 33 horsepower and 29 lb-ft of torque over the 2001 Maxima’s 3.0-liter engine. Besides the increased displacement, other enhancements made to the engine include continuous valve timing control, variable induction system, a silent timing chain and electronically controlled throttle. The engine also features a modular engine design, microfinished crank journals and cam lobes, molybdenum coated lightweight pistons, a resin intake collector, digital knock control, six individual coils (one per spark plug) and a cross-flow coolant pattern.

http://www.nissannews.com

 

I meant 255 not 225 in the title...

 

Um only 255HP 246lbs/torque? Only 255HP??? Nice base if you ask me? With some mods ie. SC it will be well over 300 let alone some bolt-ons. Look at what a 222HP Max can do.

 

What I meant is that for so long the 260hp figure was released by Nissan and now its suddenly been changed to a lesser number. Why? Does this have to do with AMCI stating that the Infiniti Q45 doesn't meet the performence claims that Nissan makes?

 

dude, i don't know what you're smokin, but I, personally, would love to have a car that comes off the line stock with 255 horses...think of the possibilities...

 

i have a small hunch that it's been detuned from 260 to 255, and that the i35 will be getting 260 hp. just like how the 2000-2001 maximas and i30s had the 5 hp difference.

 

yup that has to be it

 

is saying the I35 is also 255. The reason is apparently due to the little "tunings" that go on during development, my guess is the MPG figures were really low in the Max, so they tuned it a little better for that, which took away the HP. This also happened to the Sentra, the SE-R is now 165HP and the SE-R V Spec is now 175HP

I'm sure we'll be hearing more about this in the very near future.

 

my friend is kinda ****ed the new maxima is goign to be 255 hp cuz he just got a 2001 AE 5spd

my question is.... will it weigh more and negate the hp gain? will it cost more. OR did my friend get screwed?

 

well he got the body kit, special badging, headlamps, floor mats and just the cool fact that his car is limited.

 

Check it out, kit99bar:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?postid=424667

The 2002 Maxima is based on a 5th Gen frame, so it will weigh about the same as a 2001 Maxima. It will also cost less that an AE.

I'd suggest you invite your friend to come on in here and tell us if he thinks he got screwed. But I'll bet I know what his answer's going to be. And if I were your friend's salesperson, I'd be ducking for cover if your friend happens to take a look at the specs for a 2002 Altima SE!

 

oh my gosh, thanks for the info

He is infact thinking of trading it in.

Man, he paid 29K out the door for it. If he get the new Max for 26K he might as well trade in. HIDS, LSD, 255 hp, 6spd..........

 

I'd suggest he trade it in IMMEDIATELY while it still has some value. My guess is the the value of a 2001 Maxima will sink like a stone as soon as the 2002 Altima SEs and 2002 Maximas hit the showroom floors.

 

hey man, I know you, I saw you on the TL-S forum. You guys were attacking the Q45 there. Did you come here to attack the New max?

 

That is kind of dissapointing that Nissan has reduced hp ratings. It is probably to differentiate the I35 from the Maxima. As for the Q45, yeah it's pretty embarrassing how it has a 50hp advantage over the LS430, and is still slower.

But oh well, 255hp isn't bad. Remember that in 1989, the premium luxury car LS400 had a 250hp V8, and that was very very powerful already.