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Archives for June 2015

Eight Key Facts About the 2016 Nissan Maxima

June 2, 2015 by admin 7 Comments

The full-size sedan segment is a modest one, but Nissan has committed the company to it as it introduces an all-new Maxima. Audacious, if not controversial styling marks this five-passenger conveyance, dubbed a “4-door sports car” by the manufacturer. The 2016 Nissan Maxima is now in US showrooms.

2016 Nissan Maxima

The Nissan Maxima is a full-size, front-wheel drive sedan and flagship model for this second-largest Japanese brand. On this very day, the 2016 Nissan Maxima goes on sale, a sport sedan that started off as a trim level for the Datsun 810, but later earned its own model designation. In recognition of the Maxima’s persistence, Auto Trends presents to you key facts about the latest model.

Fact No. 1 — 2016 Begins its 8th Generation

How far back does the Maxima name go? Well, as a dedicated model you have to go back to 1982 when Nissan models were still known as Datsun in the US. That year, Nissan abandoned the “810” model name for Maxima. But it wasn’t until 1984 when the Datsun to Nissan transition was completed, when the “Nissan Maxima” officially was presented. That year also coincided with the final year of the first-generation Maxima.

Edmunds counts nine Maxima generations as it includes the Datsun 810 models sold from 1977 to 1980. Those earlier models were sold in “Deluxe” and “Maxima” trim levels. The most distinguishing feature of the first Maximas was the computer voice that whispered, “Please turn out the lights,” if you forgot to extinguish the headlights.

As for Nissan, the 2016 model ushers in the eighth generation. We’ll go with how the manufacturer assigns generations to its flagship sedan.

Datsun 810 Maxima

Popular Mechanics surveyed early owners of the Datsun 810 Maxima to gauge their opinions.

Fact No. 2 — The Latest Maxima Almost Never Happened

The 2016 Nissan Maxima almost never happened as reported by Automotive News. Declining sales of full-size cars was one factor that might have led to its cancellation, as well as the cost to produce a new model. Soon after the seventh-generation Maxima came to the market, Nissan seriously considered giving its big sedan the ax.

But dumping the Maxima was not to be, as this model still records more than 50,000 units sold annually, a respectable number, but only one-seventh the sales for the midsize Altima. Still, the company recognizes that the Maxima name is significant, with even more brand recognition for it than for the Nissan moniker itself. It is also the longest continuously running Nissan nameplate and a proper stepping point to luxury models, including Nissan’s own Infiniti marque.

Fact No. 3 — It is Based Upon the Nissan Sport Sedan Concept

Nissan says that the Maxima’s design is based on a jet fighter. In fact, the company sent its designers to visit the US Navy’s Blue Angels for concept inspiration. As a result, Nissan claims that the eighth-generation model has been lowered, sculpted and streamlined with a fighter-jet sweep evident in its body.

Before the production-ready model was introduced at the 2015 New York International Auto Show, the automaker first showed the Nissan Sport Sedan Concept at the 2014 Detroit auto show. That concept has become the 2016 Nissan Maxima.

Nissan Sports Sedan Concept -- Nissan Maxima

Nissan relaxed the Maxima’s profile, based on this concept sedan.

Other standout exterior features include boomerang-shaped headlights, distinctive LED lamps, wraparound LED tail lights and “4DSC” stamping embossed within the lamps to denote this four-door sports car. The floating roof design, attributed to the canopy of a jet fighter, is also present.

Inside, the jet fighter motif is evident in the sweeping and arching lines that traverse the door frames, cut across the dashboard and amplify the center stack. To provide enhanced viewing for the driver, the instrument panel is canted by 7 degrees. And in this example Nissan turned to its own super car, the GT-R, for inspiration. New for 2016 is a display commander, which controls the infotainment system through toggling, side-to-side movements, scrolling and rotating. As for the front seats, Nissan’s “Zero Gravity” design is evident, what provides a natural if not neutral seating position in an endeavor to diminish fatigue and dispense with lower back pressure, and the resultant pain that comes with it.

As for the Maxima’s interior, Mike Rabkin, President, From Car to Finish, believes that Nissan has successfully achieved the “premium class above” look it sought for the cabin. Said Rabkin, “Having Alcantara inserts is a nice touch found in higher end vehicles. And having it “quilted” adds to a more premium feel.” He gave high marks to the seats and to the center stack, and pointed out that the sedan’s telematics has received a much-needed overhaul.

Fact No. 4 — 300 Horsepower is a Reality

There is something inherently magical about performance in any vehicle. And when it comes to full-size sedans, reaching the 300-horsepower threshold is the mark of a potent player. Indeed, the competing full-size Chevrolet Impala is one such success story, with its V-6 engine making a robust 305 horsepower.

Both the Nissan and Chevrolet reach their performance levels without resorting to forced induction. And that is a big deal for some buyers. Sure, the previous 290-HP rating was competitive with the 292-HP Chrysler 300 and bested the 268-HP Toyota Avalon, but it still trailed the 293-HP Hyundai Azera.

Maxima owners seem fine with the sedan’s Xtronic continuously variable transmission, a proven workhorse that will facilitate the new model in reaching 30 mpg on the highway, for a 30 percent fuel economy improvement over the previous model. Steering column paddle shifters will allow drivers to operate this sedan in manual mode, but those shifters are available on the SR grade only.

But not everyone believes that Nissan did everything it should have done to make the 2016 Maxima the standout four-door sports sedan it could be. Jordan Perch, who is a regular contributor to DMV.com, a collaborative community for US drivers, believes Nissan fell short in two areas: a manual transmission and all-wheel drive. Said Perch, “It seems that Nissan made a mistake by not offering an all-wheel-drive option, given that almost all sport sedans on sale today have it.”

Nissan Maxima drive mode selector

Fact No. 5 — A Drive Mode Selector is a Model First

Drive mode selectors are appearing on more mainstream sedans than ever before. The 2016 Nissan Maxima will offer this in its SL, SR and Platinum grade editions. Two modes — normal and sport — can be chosen.

The selector adjusts throttle response, transmission tuning and steering feel. Moreover, it includes active sound management, what pumps artificial engine noise into the cabin. When activated, you will hear a sound that mimics the rumble of the engine. Of course, Nissan isn’t the only manufacturer to provide simulated noise, a trend that isn’t sitting well with enthusiasts who prefer reality over reproduction.

Fact No. 6 — Five Grade Levels, But No Options

Generally speaking, luxury brands routinely offer one or multiple editions with no options available. That strategy is to package the amenities customers want without offering infinite permutations that only make comparing models an annoyance. This is the approach Nissan takes in its Infiniti brand and is also employed with the Maxima.

The five grades for the 2016 Nissan Maxima and the corresponding prices are as follows: S ($32,410), SV ($34,390), SL ($36,890), SR ($37,670) and Platinum ($39,860). That’s a big shift from the 2014 model (no 2015 Nissan Maxima was offered), where only S and SV editions were offered. The previous model did offer a pair of package choices — Premium (for luxury and convenience items) and Sport (for performance-oriented amenities).

2016 Nissan Maxima

Fact No. 7 — Technology Rises Yet Another Notch

Nissan continues with the stepped up pace whereby the industry is adopting the latest in-cabin technologies to satisfy customer insistence. Here, the Nissan Maxima will satiate consumers by offering standard navigation on an 8-inch color display. By the same token, it is part of the NissanConnect package that combines navigation, entertainment, and handheld device connectivity in one unit.

For 2016, NissanConnect ties in SiriusXM Satellite Radio and SiriusXM Travel Link, online search with Google, and other connectivity features (e.g., Bluetooth, Pandora, iHeartRadio, Twitter and TripAdvisor). Moreover, you can access sport scores, retrieve stock market data, and weather forecasts. A free, 30-day SiriusXM streaming trial is offered. After that, customers must subscribe to a paid plan to continue using the service.

Fact No. 8 — Safety and Driving Aids Are Present

Of course, no car built today comes without a standard safety package. Indeed, all Nissan Maximas come with a suite of airbags, front and rear crumple zones, and front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters. You also get stability control, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

Available safety features include forward collision warning, intelligent cruise control, forward emergency braking, and blind spot warning with rear cross traffic alert. Unique to this segment is an available driver attention alert system (DAA). DAA, standard in the Platinum grade, detects driving behavior by monitoring for various mannerisms that would strongly suggest drowsiness by measuring steering input patterns. To illustrate, when out-of-the-ordinary conduct is recognized — such as consistently encroaching an adjoining lane — the system uses an audible chime sound and activates a coffee cup icon and posts a “Take a Break?” statement on the instrument panel. To that end, Nissan believes that it is doing its part to diminish what AAA says leads to more than 300,000 accidents each year, with 6,400 of them fatal.

Nissan Maxima: Make it Eight

Without doubt, staying with the Maxima is a tremendous gamble for Nissan as the segment continues to wither. However, the automaker believes that there is yet life in a segment that offers halo possibilities as well as a purposeful segue to the Infiniti brand.

And if Nissan buyers do consider Infiniti, the rear-wheel drive Q50’s price point starts just below the Maxima Platinum. Moreover, it comes with a 7-speed automatic transmission with shift control and offers optional all-wheel drive. Here, the automaker may have presented the most compelling reason for Nissan customers to consider Infiniti.

See Also — 7 Headliners at the 2015 New York Auto Show

Photos and video courtesy of Nissan Motors. Datsun 810 Maxima clip copyright Popular Science.

Filed Under: New Models Tagged With: 2016 cars, 4DSC, AAA, CVT, design, DROWSY DRIVING, FLOATING ROOF, FOUR-DOOR SPORTS CAR, front-wheel drive, INFINITI, JASON PERCH, JET FIGHTER, Mike Rabkin, Nissan Altima, NissanConnect, POPULAR SCIENCE

NADA Used Car Guide Heads to J.D. Power

June 1, 2015 by admin 1 Comment

A renowned publication is expected to move from NADA to J.D. Power early in the second half of 2015. The NADA Used Car Guide is the oldest and most prestigious resource for used vehicle valuation on the market.

There is a very good chance that if you ever wanted to find the value of a used vehicle, you turned to the NADA Used Car Guide. That guide, developed by the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), has served dealers and consumers for 82 years.

Indeed, the NADA Used Car Guide remains the leading source for vehicle valuation, although Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds.com are among the other sources to consider. Late last month, J.D. Power, a global marketing information services company, announced an agreement with NADA to acquire the guide.

NADA Used Car Guide

Nada Used Car GuideFollowing legal review, the deal is expected to close within the July to September timeframe. Notably, the company plans to retain its McLean, Virginia, headquarters from which it services more than 100,000 customers, including insurers, financial institutions, retailers and software providers.

The NADA Used Car Guide will be compartmentalized within J.D. Power’s Power Information Network or PIN. Power is owned by McGraw Hill Financial, a financial intelligence company. Additionally, McGraw Hill owns Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, S&P Capital IQ, S&P Dow Jones Indices, Platts, and CRISIL.

“J.D. Power has built its strong brand through analytics, data and its growing benchmark business. Benchmarks are a key to the McGraw Hill Financial business model and the NADA Used Car Guide adds a unique set of valuations, which are used as benchmarks by customers, to the well-respected J.D. Power portfolio,” said Douglas L. Peterson, president and chief executive officer of McGraw Hill Financial. “We see clear opportunities for both revenue and cost synergies as J.D. Power couples NADA Used Car Guide with the real-time automotive capabilities of the Power Information Network® (PIN) to bring value to a broad set of customers. This is another example of McGraw Hill Financial utilizing an attractive tuck-in acquisition to expand the capabilities of the company’s iconic businesses.”

Full Access for NADA Members

Peter Welch, president of NADA, reassured NADA members that they would continue to have access to the Guide as part of their membership benefit. “NADA and J.D. Power will continue to build upon our longstanding alliance by sharing data and insights, and bringing together retailers and leaders from the automakers, suppliers and the media at co-hosted conferences and events, offering thought leadership and solutions directly benefiting the retailer network and overall automotive industry.”

With the NADA Used Car Guide part of PIN, NADA’s customers will have seamless access to new- and used-vehicle prices with information supplied by both companies under the J.D. Power umbrella. Initially, the NADA Used Car Guide name will be retained, then transition to a new name under the J.D. Power brand.

NADA Used Car Guide Origins

For its part, the NADA Used Car Guide has transitioned from exclusively a print publication to mostly an online resource. The Guide was launched in 1922, just five years after the National Automobile Dealers Association was founded, according to NADA’s website.

That year, 30 auto dealers traveled to the District of Columbia to urge Congress not to levy a luxury tax on automobiles, successfully arguing that cars were a necessity, not a luxury. The Guide itself was founded in response to the federal government’s request that NADA study used-car values.

Collaboration and Synergies

NADA and J.D. Power intend to collaborate in a number of areas and will co-host conferences and events to reach retailers, automotive industry manufacturers and suppliers, as well as the media.

See Also — NADA, EPA Craft Energy Partnership

Filed Under: Automotive News Tagged With: CONGRESS, GUIDE, J.D. POWER, MCGRAW HILL FINANCIAL, NADA, NADA USED CAR GUIDE, NATIONAL AUTOMOBILE DEALERS ASSOCIATION, POWER INFORMATION NETWORK, USED CAR PRICES

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