Nissan Maxima Sports Sedan Takes Cues from Navy's Blue Angels

The global design team for the 2016 Nissan Maxima has catapulted yet another concept-based production vehicle far beyond consumer expectations with their groundbreaking new eighth-generation premium sports sedan. A visit to the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels© has resulted in a highly distinctive "fighter jet inspired" luxury design for the brand's "4-door sports car" which couples an aerodynamic exterior profile with a totally redesigned interior.

Bespoke Design

Strongly echoing the canopy of a fighter jet, the Maxima's floating roof appearance is created in part through the use of a wraparound visor windshield, blacked-out A, B, and C pillars which help bring the mass of the vehicle visually lower, and a dual pane panoramic moonroof (standard on SL and Platinum grades) which provides an uninhibited view of the open sky above. With cockpit ergonomics in mind, the new Maxima incorporates a center information display that is angled seven degrees toward the driver, a shifter lever shaped to resemble an aircraft joystick, tailored instrument design with critical controls within short reach, and an intelligent-key push-button start switch that pulses when the driver enters the cabin.

Premium Craftsmanship

Utilizing sculpted body panels to showcase a lower, longer, leaner body stance, the Maxima projects a futuristic yet distinctively upscale profile highlighted by a signature V-Motion grille, large dual exhaust chrome tailpipe finishers, and embossed "4DSC" logos on the boomerang-style headlights and side taillight reflectors. Rivaling luxury vehicles by easily invoking an edgy elegance, the new Maxima features upscale craftsmanship throughout including genuine stitching on selected panels, unique faceted trim treatments, and available Ascot premium leather-appointed seats with diamond-quilted inserts (also available on SR models in Alcantara© typically found on high-end exotics).

Driving Impressions

Due to its refined yet sporty appeal, the new Maxima will no doubt compete across multiple segments and will be a definitive contender for entry-level luxury car buyers. We were initially impressed by the car's striking exterior character and the buttery smooth acceleration which provided a suitably quick glide up toward the three-digit mph mark with seemingly little effort. But a sense of 'upscale coziness' was additionally experienced as the racecar-inspired flat-bottom D-shaped steering wheel is a work of art itself and the well-appointed interior ergonomic considerations seemed perfectly suited for both smaller and larger body frames.

Cutting-Edge Technology

The new Maxima offers a robust package of next-generation technologies consisting of an extensive range of safety, security, and driving aids such as the standard NissanConnect service and additional available subscription-based SiriusXM© Satellite Radio and SiriusXM Travel Link™ applications. The services are accessed via an updated 8-inch touch-screen color display with easy-to-use smartphone-like controls like swipe, pinch, and zoom. Maxima Platinum models also offer an available Driver Attention Alert (DAA) system which learns each individual driver's steering patterns and alerts the driver when drowsiness or inattentive driving is detected.

Improved Performance

With the goal of producing a high-performance top-end Nissan sedan, the newly-redesigned platform is 82 pounds lighter than the previous generation with 25 percent more torsional rigidity and 40% friction reduction for better acceleration and efficiency. Taking tricks from the GT-R program, this new model contains a brand new engine with 61% of parts all new, as well as 300hp resulting in a higher specific output (HP/L), the highest fuel economy of any 6 cylinder, and better power-to-weight ratio than certain close competitors.

More Information

Intended to "Maximize" the Nissan brand itself, the 2016 Maxima starts at $34,410 and is available in nine exterior colors (including two Maxima-exclusive selections) and five well-equipped models (all equipment is grade standard, and there are no available options).

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