Dave B

I read the MT article about the new Altima and I noticed it weighed 3150lbs. Techincally it weighs 100lbs less than the new SE 6 speed. If this is the case, I have a strong feeling the new SE Maxima is only going to be marginally quicker than the SE Altima because of the added weight, large 18s, and only an extra "paper" 15 hp (255hp). MT got a 14.78 at a strong 97mph out of the new Altima, BUT it was a preproduction model. I'm pretty sure the factory version will be slightly slower.

BTW, MT noted that the new Altima platform WILL spawn the new 6th gen Maxima which means NO RWD. The independant rear will be in there, but no RWD


Dave

Jambo

One of the technical reps at Maxus said that he heard that the next platform was "capable of accomodating AWD". I asked him about that and he just smiled.

yongjun

OOOO sounds nice!
Thanx for the info.

Paul6speed

And one of the reps said that 2003 Infiniti I Series would be rear wheel drive and the 2003 Maxima will be front. He said that future split of Infiniti and Nissan will be FWD vs. RWD. Hmmm... I don't know about that though.

Sonic

Not to be an pain or anything, but the Maxima doesn't have to be faster than the Altima, only better equipped. The fact that it is the flagship model doesn't mean that it has to be faster than a lower model(e.g. LS430 vs. GS430). BTW, if the I series goes RWD, how do they plan on differentiating between it and the G series?

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

Yes, I could see that also. They already have the basic parts are available from the Primera AWD or the Pulsar GTI-R. The IRS rear sorta gives it away. It's easier to accomodate a differential w/ IRS obvisouly. Considering Jaguar used the Mondeo platform w/ their transverse FWD layout to make their new X-type AWD, it's certianly a possiblity.

bill99gxe

iTrader: (1)

There is a semi-confusing article in the latest Motor Trend article that labels the RWD version a G35 (to replace the G20, or so they say) due out in '03, yet still refers to it as an I-series car and still acts like the I35 will remain FWD....

Nissan seems to have or will have A LOT of vehicles with the same 3.5 VQ.....sorta like Toyota......I'm not sure that's a good thing.....lots of similar cars with mostly the same setup (granted, RWD doesn't apply).....this is how GM got so screwed up.....

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

At least their are using a good engine. Audi/VW are using their 1.8T and VR6 for everything also. Works well if the engines are nice.

Looks like Nissan is going after the BMW/Lexus rwd market using the G35 or new 300z platforms.

I wish Nissan would bring one of their incredible I4 turbos to market here. Would bring alot of mods and parts availabilty here.

bill99gxe

iTrader: (1)

No kidding. The WRX and Type R Hondas would have some real competition then. Rice boys would flock to them, and Nissan would actually sell cars in decent volumes.....why they don't do it escapes me.

Yeah, I guess Nissan's move bothers me since I own them....but you're right, almost all makers are now offering 2 motors and a lot of different configurations, it's just becoming harder to differentiate the Nissan models in my mind......

dmbmaxima2k2

iTrader: (1)

i however would be very disappionted if the new 6-spd wasn't any faster than the Altima. I really hope the maxima will go to AWD, that would be sweet.

Sonic

Uh Steve, 4WD will make the Maxima slower, especially with the current engine (3.5) used as a powerplant. RWD will do just fine. Why this push for 4WD?

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

that sounds promising

dmbmaxima2k2

iTrader: (1)

because when i put a 75 shot of nos with a 3.25 pullied SC on that i dont want to have traction problems.

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

ya they need to bring some turbo 4 bangers. Also i think the altima should of got the vq30dd it has 240 hp and the max has a vq35de and a option of vq35det
atleast that would help some so they all don't have the same engine

dmbmaxima2k2

iTrader: (1)

you can't use the DD engine in the US, too much suphur in the gasoline.

Sonic

You do realize that that is too big a shot of NOS with the S/C, don't you? I think a 40 shot is about as big as you want to go. Secondly, what would you plan on doing to the transmission? A VB just AIN'T gonna do it.

pmar

They've been taught for the last 5 years that you can get a new car real cheap, and even get a rebate to boot. My understanding is that the 1995 Maxima did 6.6 0-60. Nissan continued to put that in their literature, even though the 97+ could not break 7, and the 5th gen being even worse. Now, if an Altima can do 6.2 @9x 1/4 mile whatever it is, I highly doubt a Maxima is gonna beat that. If word gets out that the new Altima is "spawn"ing the next Maxima, nobody is gonna buy the Max, it'll be more reason to do Altima. Hey, looks like Altima is da bomb, ya know?

La Jolla Max

no kidding...a 250hp, 13.9 second Sylvia Spec-R for around 24k would be a hot seller here

PhatGuy

This 240 altima to 255 max is nonesense. What is actually making the difference here? Obviously one adjustment or mod is going to get the altima to 255 easily enough. I really hate to say this but the altima is going to be a better car for performance based on that back end suspension alone. Drop in a true CAI, cat back, lose any precats (aftermarket Y pipe?) etc.. and that car will have 260HP+ no prob.

PS. I wish they had put that 02 Max auto on the dyno at Maxus! Why they didn't is beyond me?

dmbmaxima2k2

iTrader: (1)

hey i was the one pushing that to them, i even offered for all of us to pay for it. 1 dollar a person is all we would have needed. but they said THEY WOULD GET FIRED. they asked about running it on the track a few times and their boss HIT THE CEILING, he did not think it was funny at all.

Black VQ

And the new Z wouldn't be a hot seller. An SR20DET-powered Sylvia would encroach too much on the Z's territory. That's why we won't see one. IMHO, at least a QR25DE-powered one with 180+hp for $18-20k would work better, especially for the people who miss having a 2-door SE-R.

dmbmaxima2k2

iTrader: (1)

well then why don't they just TT the new Z car and then bring the Sylvia over with both motors as options. that would work for me.

96sleeper

iTrader: (4)

everyone complains about not enough engine mods for the maxima, so with the Z sharing the same engine, there will parts all over the place. The altima will be the better 4 door performer though, because of the weight issue and the rear suspension.

PRINCE NISMO

96sleeper your right in what you said about aftermarket parts being more available when the New Z arrives and some will come sooner with the New Altima. It's just messed up that the 5th-Gen was over looked for so long. And I hope the 6-speed 2K2 will be able to hold it's own. But to me it looks like now the Maxima is the flagship luxury cruiser and the Altima is the New 4-DOOR Sports Car in the family..... DAMN! I wanted both......

dmbmaxima2k2

iTrader: (1)

not once i get the engine built up and it's gonna be a 6-spd with a lightened flywheel and stage 3 carbon-kevlar clutch.

Sprint

iTrader: (10)

i don't know about that twisted math.. but nissan says the alitma is heavier

Altima
3.5 SE Man. 3,225

3.5-liter DOHC V6 – 240 hp at 5,800 RPM

246 lb-ft torque at 4,400 RPM

Wheelbase
110.2 in.

Length
191.5 in.

Height
57.9 in.

Width
70.4 in.

Track f/r
61.0/61.2 in.

Interior Volume
103.2 cu. ft.

Trunk Volume
15.6 cu. ft.

Total Volume
118.8 cu. ft.

Maxima
Man. 3,224

3.5-liter DOHC V6 – 255 hp at 5,800 RPM

246 lb-ft torque at 4,400 RPM

Wheelbase
108.3 in.

Length
191.5 in.

Height (16-inch GXE/17-inch GLE/SE tires)
56.3/57.1/56.7 in.

Width
70.3 in.

Track f/r
16-inch GXE tires/17-inch GLE tires: 60.2/59.4 in.

17-inch SE tires: 59.8/59.1 in.

Interior Volume
102.5 cu. ft.

Trunk Volume
15.1 cu. ft.

Total Volume
117.6 cu. ft.