If Nissan repeats history they will probabaly add some horsepower to the 7th generation Maxima for the 2011 year.How much horsepower and torque do you think the Nissan engineers will come up with and do you think they will move to the 3.7 liter engine to add horsepower? Also considering the CVT they will have to mate the transmission to what ever they come up with.

 

I doubt they will add much HP maybe 10 or so, I dont think there is any chance of a 3.7L.

 

The VQ35DE and VQ37VHR are different engines with few parts in common. The Maxima has sufficient performance using the well-developed VQ35DE, so I wouldn't look for it to be replaced. Tooling and production would be the other key factors to consider: the Dechard engine foundry produces VQ35DEs and QR25DEs by the truckload. Not the case with the VQ37VHR, which is produced in Japan. And that brings up the last point: with the current yen-to-dollar imbalance, Nissan is trying to keep down exports from Japan.

 

Personally coming from a RWD V8 car to the Maxima I cant see how they can put more HP in it. This is a FWD sedan...I think its as powerful as it can get and maintain good driver control/feel. If i could change one thing about Max I'd say AWD or RWD option.

 

That's why they also have the G37 or M45 (RWD or AWD) as options.

 

Very true. There are drivers who prefer RWD, and there are drivers like me who drove RWD for 35 years, and will never buy another RWD. FWD was what attracted me to the Maxima when the '85 arrived in fall of 1984. And I have never looked back.

As for AWD, it adds to initial cost, adds parts and technology that can break or go awry, and has a negative impact on MPG. Now if I drove offroad regularly, I might like AWD.

I also agree the 3.7 in the Maxima will not happen before generation 8, and probably not then. I would not be surprised to see 100 HP, or very slightly above, in the 7.5. But that would be more for a selling point than actually changing the car's performance, which is already more than sufficient for the primary target audience.

 

I also agree the 3.7 in the Maxima will not happen before generation 8, and probably not then. I would not be surprised to see 100 HP, or very slightly above, in the 7.5. But that would be more for a selling point than actually changing the car's performance, which is already more than sufficient for the primary target audience.

Whoa Light, 100 HP?Did you you mean 300 HP or they will add another 100 HP? I can see the engineers adding about 15 more HP for the 2011, maybe even 20.Than i'll look to trade in the 04, even if gas prices rise again!

 

Whoa Light, 100 HP?Did you you mean 300 HP or they will add another 100 HP? I can see the engineers adding about 15 more HP for the 2011, maybe even 20.Than i'll look to trade in the 04, even if gas prices rise again!


[/QUOTE]
I also agree the 3.7 in the Maxima will not happen before generation 8, and probably not then. I would not be surprised to see 100 HP, or very slightly above, in the 7.5. But that would be more for a selling point than actually changing the car's performance, which is already more than sufficient for the primary target audience.

 

I also agree the 3.7 in the Maxima will not happen before generation 8, and probably not then. I would not be surprised to see 100 HP, or very slightly above, in the 7.5. But that would be more for a selling point than actually changing the car's performance, which is already more than sufficient for the primary target audience.[/QUOTE]




Yes, I meant 300, not 100. I feel the actual number may between 301 and 306, but no more. As I said, strictly a 'selling point'. with little connection to performance.

You have to watch my posts. Where younger folks may 'misspeak' by a few, when I 'misspeak', it is more likely to be off by the dozens, or even hundreds. I often talk about the 1965 Maxima when I mean the 1985 Maxima, etc. It is not easy to explain senility until you are senile. And by then, you can't remember what senility is.

 

you never know. 2011 will be the 30th anniversary edition

 

I think there is a dividing wall between Infiniti and Nissan that allows only Infiniti to sell AWD cars.

RWD cars are from yesterday. AWD blows any RWD or FWD out of the water. True, there is more complexity and lower mileage. But four driven wheels at the points of the compass are optimal for performance.

But I digress; FWD for the Maxima will stay for the time being.

 

I don't think we need the 3.7 unless Nissan makes the Maxima RWD/AWD, which is not going to happen. I really don't want the 3.5 VQ35HR in this car either. When I had a G35x loaner for the week, when really pushing the car to redline, it sounded like the engine was going to blow up. It got really loud and scary when hitting redline. I like the refinement of the VQ35DE, especially now with VVT on both the intake and exhaust valves, and a 6-point engine mount.

 

GT-R?

 

Got me!

But not really. The GT-R is a sports car priced at $70k so it doesn't compete with Infiniti's offering.

The G37 competes with the Maxima.

 

the best we can all hope for is a VQ35DE-K or the VQ35HR and that may be as close as is gets, unless Nissan switches the max to the FM platform

 

Wow a 1965 Maxima, that would've been a scene.I can see the white wall tires and a convertible on that bad boy.

 

Maxima just came out, I doubt any major changes are gonna take place, and the Maxima still has a niche crowd, it's best competition was Acura TL and now that car just seems all together different

 

Huh? How so? If AWD performs so well, name one major racing series that uses AWD cars, not counting off-road (where AWD obviously is an advantage)

AWD is like RWD with a safety net, in the case of bad weather, offroad, or very limited traction situations. Compared to RWD, AWD cars are heavier, have a tendency to understeer, are slower, and get lower gas mileage, due to the more complex drivetrain and more rotating mass.

AWD is nice to have in an offroad car, or a general purpose car. But a performance car; no.

And the new TL looks like garbage compared to the Maxima.

he old TL, though, looked nicer than the 6th gen.

 

FWD is my least favorite part of the Maxima. Its a GREAT car...but coming off a powerful V8 muscle car I just can't get into the FWD. The torque steer is noticeable (to me) and it keeps the car from feeling "powerful". It's strong, yes. Its smooth as heck, yes...its a GREAT car...but I still may end up in a C6 vette with snow tires just to get that good RWD feeling back at the expense of back seats and the fact that I may be stuck home on days when its really snowing.

 

For pure muscle in good weather, nothing beats RWD. But the Maxima is not primarily a muscle car. It is not only a strong, sporty, agile, competent, stylish vehicle; it is also a dependable, practical family sedan that can perform in good or bad weather, and RWD would be very wrong for this car.

This Maxima is far more than just a muscle car wannabe. It is family transportation on the cutting edge; mobility with an attitude. This fine new redesigned CVT tranny matched with FWD is a perfect combination for the primary target audience of this car.

Nissan has all its bases covered; for those who prefer maximum power through RWD, and just stay home except on dry days, Infiniti is ready when you are.

 

We agree that the new TL is hideous. What was Acura thinking? it looks like a Klingon Bird of Prey rather than a sophisticated prestige vehicle.

Performance is in the eye of the beholder. I want refined performance. In this regard, AWD is a step up from FWD. I don't need raw power or speed.

AWD is not designed for off-road use. There, you want a part time 4WD perhaps with a locker. Taking an AWD car off road will damage the vehicle.

AWD has it's drawbacks as you noted. It will however, deliver performance and refinement that FWD or RWD cannot do.

I would buy an Infiniti AWD or Audi Quattro before a 'Vette or BMW M5. But, that's me.

 

that would be epic haha