This press release is issued Jan. 5, 2003 (local time) by Nissan North America.
January 06, 2003
The all-new 2004 Nissan Maxima continues the formula passed down from five previous generations - an unmatched blend of performance and luxury. The sixth generation Maxima combines traditional Maxima performance with expressive sports styling and bold innovation to create a top-of-the-line sports sedan.
An aggressive new exterior design captures the characteristics of a performance car and a luxury sedan all in one, with a chiseled, muscular shape and pronounced character lines. Inside, the expressive design theme continues. Standard on all models is an industry-first Skyview™ Roof, which creates an open environment for front and rear passengers while maintaining a solid roof structure. An optional Elite Package 4-seat layout gives the interior a distinctive sports car-like design, further separating Maxima from its competitors.
One thing that has not changed is Maxima's legendary performance. Maxima is powered by the award-winning VQ 3.5-liter engine, increased in 2004 to 260-plus horsepower. An all-new multi-link independent rear suspension provides superior handling and increased ride comfort. The 2004 Maxima is scheduled to go on sale in March 2003 at more than 1,100 Nissan dealers nationwide. Highlights of the 2004 Maxima include:
Body
- Completely new, aggressive exterior designed to bolster Maxima's sporty imag
- Chiseled, muscular shape with pronounced character lines and distinctive C-pillar design adds a sport coupe-like silhouette
- Nissan signature styling cues have been adopted in the hood and grille
- Auto on/off xenon headlights standard on 3.5 SL (optional on 3.5 SE)
- 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with V-rated 245/45R18 tires, standard on the 3.5 SE
- All-new FF-L (front engine, front-wheel drive large) platform adopted for Maxima increases torsional rigidity 40%
- Dual exhaust with four ports and chrome finishers
- Chrome-colored accents on roof moldings
- UV reducing solar glass
- Eight exterior colors
Engine and Driveline
- 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 producing 260-plus horsepower and 250-plus lb-ft torque
- Engine features include electronic throttle, silent timing chain, microfinished camshaft and crankshaft surfaces, molybdenum coated pistons, resin intake collector, digital knock control system, cross flow coolant pattern and higher capacity muffler
- Platinum-tipped spark plugs with 100,000-mile maintenance intervals
- 6-speed close ratio manual transmission optional on 3.5 SE models
- Gated 5-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with manual shift mode standard on 3.5 SE
- 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with gated shifter standard on 3.5 SL
- Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System (TCS) available on all A/T models
- Available Helical Limited-Slip Differential (3.5 SE manual)
Suspension, Steering and Braking
- Independent strut front suspension with coil springs and stabilizer bar
- All-new multi-link independent rear suspension for superior handling and ride comfort
- 4-wheel power-assisted disc brakes, standard 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA)
- 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels - 7-spoke on 3.5 SL - with P225/55R17 tires
- Standard 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with P245/45R18 tires on 3.5 SE
Interior Features
- Five-passenger seating with luxury cloth or leather-appointed seats and 60/40 split fold-down rear bench with lock
- Optional Elite Package with 4-passenger seating layout with two rear bucket seats, rear console design resembles front console, includes power rear sunshade and cargo pass-through
- Standard 8-way power driver's seat (4-way power passenger seat on 3.5 SL) with entry/exit feature (A/T only)
- 240-watt 8-speaker audio system with AM/FM/cassette/CD with steering wheel-mounted controls on 3.5 SE
- 320-watt 8-speaker Bose " premium audio system with AM/FM/cassette/6-disc in-dash CD changer, speed-sensitive auto volume control and RDS radio function standard on 3.5 SL
- Available Nissan Navigation System with 3-D Birdview™ 7.0-inch display
- Heated front seats on 3.5 SL (available on 3.5 SE)
- Dual zone air conditioning with automatic temperature control and rear vents
- Center display that provides HVAC, audio system and trip computer functions in one central location
Safety and Security
- Standard dual-stage air bags with seat belt sensors and front seat side-impact supplemental air bags and curtain side-impact supplemental air bags
- Front-seat active head restraints, 3-point ALR/ELR seat belts (driver's seat ELR only) including rear center position
- Front seat belts with adjustable upper anchors with pretensioners and load limiters
- LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren) child seat anchors and tether system
- Emergency inside trunk-release
Models and Manufacturing
- Offered in two well-equipped V6 models: 3.5 SE and 3.5 SL
- Exterior and interior designed at Nissan Technical Center (NTC) in Atsugi, Japan
- Assembled for the first time in the United States at the award-winning Nissan North America Manufacturing Smyrna & Decherd Tennessee Plant
The all-new 2004 Nissan Quest is a revolutionary, category-redefining approach to the minivan - one that adds a highly emotional element by offering style, innovation and driving performance. The new Quest has grown in size to become the largest in the front-wheel drive minivan segment. Its dynamic and athletic-looking exterior is marked by a long wheelbase (which allows for the widest opening sliding doors in the segment), wide track, and arching roofline.
The Quest interior features include 2nd and 3rd row flat-folding seats, a 10-speaker Bose® audio system (the first ever Bose system developed for a minivan), a DVD Entertainment System and a dramatic new Skyview® roof glass panel system that creates a bright and airy feeling throughout the cabin.
Powering the front-wheel drive Quest is a 230-plus horsepower 3.5-liter DOHC V6, while a new 4-wheel independent suspension provides excellent dynamic capabilities. The Quest utilizes Nissan's proven FF-L platform, also found on the Altima, all-new 2003 Murano crossover SUV and upcoming flagship 2004 Maxima premium performance sedan.
The new Quest will be assembled at Nissan's new $1.43 billion manufacturing facility in Canton, Miss. The Quest is scheduled to go on sale at more than 1,100 Nissan dealers nationwide in summer 2003. Highlights of the 2004 Nissan Quest minivan include:
Body
- Dramatic exterior design with flowing, arched beltline
- Widest-opening sliding side doors in the segment
- Long wheelbase, wide track, well-defined wheelwells with minimal gap with the tire sidewall
- Available Skyview roof glass panel system for 2nd and 3rd row seats
- Available power-operated dual sliding doors and rear liftgate
- Halogen headlights with cornering lights, available fog lights
- Body-color door handles, mirrors and side moldings
- Available heated outside mirrors with puddle lamps
- Standard privacy glass (2nd row, 3rd row and liftgate)
- Available rear sonar system that can detect obstacles while in reverse
Engine and Driveline
- FF-L (Front engine, Front-wheel drive, Large) platform
- 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 producing 230-plus horsepower and 235-plus lb-ft of torque
- Aluminum block and heads, sequential multi-point electronic fuel injection, Continuous Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS), microfinished crankshaft and camshaft, molybdenum-coated pistons
- 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with overdrive or 5-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with overdrive
- Instrument panel-mounted shifter lever
- Standard Traction Control System (TCS), available Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
- Sensor-type Tire Pressure Monitor System
Suspension, Steering and Braking
- 4-wheel independent suspension with advanced multi-link rear suspension and front and rear stabilizer bars
- 4-wheel vented disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD)
- Available wheels and tires: 16x6.5 and 225/65R16 or 17x6.5 and 225/60R17
- Power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering
- Maximum 3,500-lb towing capacity (properly equipped)
Interior Features
- The largest interior volume of any front-wheel drive minivan
- Advanced design flat-folding seat function for 2nd and 3rd row seats, providing "complete spontaneity" for carrying passengers or cargo
- 2nd row seat "tip up" feature combined with widest opening sliding rear doors allows improved ingress/egress to the 3rd row seat
- Center-mounted instrument cluster with 6.3-inch information display screen
- Standard 8-way adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support. Available 8-way power
- Available driver's seat memory system (seat position, foot pedal position and outside mirror position) and heated front seats
- Available leather-appointed interior
- Standard 150-watt AM/FM/CD audio system with eight speakers
- First-ever Bose®-developed audio system for the minivan category - available 10-speaker audio system
- Available steering wheel-mounted audio controls
- Available dual zone automatic temperature control for driver and front passenger
- Power front windows with one-touch auto up/down and safety reverse feature
- Front overhead console with sunglasses holder and dual map lights
- Available full-length rear overhead console with storage bins, personal lamps and air vents
- Eight cupholders, bottle holders/map pockets on each sliding door
- Numerous storage bins and areas, including a driver-accessible storage drawer located under front passenger seat
- Four 12-volt power points
- Available DVD Entertainment System with option of one or two roof-mounted display screens (DVD drive located under the front passenger seat, oriented toward the driver)
- All audio systems feature "dual media" capability (when equipped with rear audio controls), allowing rear passengers to use headphones for a different media source than what is played through the speakers
- Available DVD-based Nissan Navigation System with 7.0-inch color display
- Rear heating and air conditioning system
- Long length and wide cargo area, allowing carrying of 4x8-foot dimensional materials on the floor with the liftgate closed
Safety and Security
- Zone Body Structure with front and rear crushable zones and occupant zone
- Standard Nissan Advanced Air Bag System, utilizes crash zone sensor and advanced occupant sensing capability to control front air bag deployment force
- Standard Head Curtain Air Bags to help protect 1st, 2nd and 3rd row outboard occupants from side-impact collisions
- Available front seat supplemental side-impact air bags for thorax protection
- 3-point seat belts and height-adjustable head restraints for all seating positions
- LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren) child seat anchorage system
- Child safety rear door locks
Models and Manufacturing
- Available in three well-equipped models: 3.5 S, 3.5 SL, 3.5 SE
- Assembled by Nissan North America Manufacturing Canton Mississippi Plant
At a Glance: 2003 Infiniti FX45 and FX35
The all-new 2003 Infiniti FX45 combines aggressive styling, outstanding performance and handling and luxury car comfort and amenities into a truly breakthrough design. A SUV with the essence of a sports car, the FX45 was conceived on the theme of a "Bionic Cheetah," utilizing advanced technology to create one of the best performing premium crossover SUVs ever imagined.
The all-wheel drive FX45 is powered by a 315-horsepower 4.5-liter V8 (based on the class-leading 2002 Infiniti Q45 powerplant) and features standard 20-inch wheels and tires, leather seating and a sport-tuned 4-wheel independent suspension. Also offered is a 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6-equipped version, the FX35, available in all-wheel or optional rear-wheel drive. The FX35 V6 is shared with the award-winning Infiniti G35 sport coupe and sport sedan. All FX45 models utilize a modified version of the advanced FM (Front Mid-ship) platform enhanced for SUV duties. A similar, less modified version of this platform is also found in the G35 sport coupe and sport sedan.
Inside, the FX45 provides a highly personalized interior environment with cockpit-like styling, sports seats and extensive use of real aluminum trim accents. Other available equipment includes a DVD-based Infiniti Navigation System, rear seat DVD Mobile Entertainment System with wireless headphones and remote control, RearView Monitor, Intelligent Key, Tire Pressure Monitor System and Intelligent Cruise Control. The FX45 goes on sale at Infiniti dealerships nationwide beginning in late January 2003.
Body
- All-new, aggressive exterior styling with a 112.2-inch long wheelbase, wide track and aggressive stance, long hoodline and Infiniti signature grille
- Sleek roof with unique pillar design and tail with "taut canopy" design, "in-motion" headlights and taillights, dual split tailpipes with chrome finishers
- Lightweight cargo door with electromagnetic opener switch and automatic back door closure assist system
Engine and Driveline
- 32-valve 4.5-liter DOHC V8 producing 315 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque (FX45) or 24-valve 3.5-liter DOHC V6 producing 280 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque (FX35)
- 5-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with manual shift mode
- Front engine/all-wheel drive (FX45/FX35) or optional rear-wheel drive (FX35)
- Enhanced FM (Front Mid-ship) platform
- ATTESA™ E-TS AWD system (Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All Electronic Torque Split)
Suspension, Steering and Braking
- Refined 4-wheel independent suspension with front strut and rear multi-link design, extensive use of lightweight aluminum components, front upper link and rear subframe
- Large diameter front and rear (AWD only) stabilizer bars
- Engine speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering
- Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System (TCS)
- 4-wheel power-assisted vented disc brakes, 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Preview braking-available with I.C.C.
- 20-inch 8-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels with 265/50R20 all-season tires (FX45, available on FX35)
- 18-inch 7-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels with 265/60R18 all-season tires (FX35)
- Available Tire Pressure Monitor System
Interior Features
- Fusion of warm and cool surfaces with cockpit-like styling, sports-style seats and sports car-like controls and steering wheel
- Personalized Zone Concept with the creation of three distinct zones: driver, front and rear passengers
- Extensive use of real aluminum trim on center console, shifter area, steering wheel spokes and doors
- Superior ingress and egress with easy-to-slide-in seat height
- 8-way power driver's seat, 4-way power passenger's seat, reclining rear seats
- Remote flip-down 60/40-split fold-down rear seats, large rear cargo area with underfloor storage
- Large information monitor (6.3 inches, 7.0 inches with DVD navigation system)
- Dual sliding armrests for driver and passenger, large console, rear center armrest tray and storage
- Available 300-watt Bose® audio system with 11 speakers, 6-CD in-dash autochanger
- Available Intelligent Key with keyless entry and engine start
- Available Intelligent Cruise Control
- Available RearView Monitor
- Dual-zone front climate controls, rear air conditioning vents located in the B-pillars
- Signature Infiniti analog clock
Safety and Security
- 4-wheel power-assisted vented disc brakes, 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA)
- Dual-stage front supplemental air bags with seat belt sensors
- Front seat supplemental air bags, roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags for front and rear seat occupant head protection
- 3-point ALR/ELR seat belts (driver's seat ELR only)
- Front seat belt adjustable upper anchors with pretensioners and load limiters
- Zone Body construction with energy-dispersing side structure, front and rear crumple zones
- Breakaway propeller shaft/slide away brake pedal
- LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren) child seat anchorage system
- Vehicle Security System with Infiniti Immobilizer
Models and Manufacturing
- Available in three models: FX45, FX35 AWD and FX35 RWD
- Exterior and interior designed at Nissan Technical Center (NTC) in Atsugi, Japan
- Assembled by Nissan Shatai Co., Ltd. in Kanagawa, Japan
FX45
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