The new Maxima didn’t arrive last fall as Nissan’s US boss Jose Munoz initially said, but it is coming and one of our readers captured this tester near Nissan’s Technical center in Maricopa, Arizona.
Coated from top to bottom in a zebra-like camouflage, it’s hard to decrypt all the details, but the outline suggests that it will be close to Nissan’s Sport Sedan Concept exhibited at the 2014 Detroit Motor Show – well, as close as a mainstream car can be to an extremely sporty and dynamic concept model made to wow the show crowds…
While some aspects seem to have been lost in translation, primarily the concept’s aggressive stance with the low height, others remain such as the “V” shaped front grille, the muscular front fenders and slanted rear window.
Nevertheless, that might be enough to allow Nissan to bring back its “four-door sports car” marketing moniker for the new Maxima, which should get a retuned 3.5-liter V6 with over 300hp, possibly offering a hybrid unit as well (think the Pathfinder’s 2.5-liter supercharged four with an electric motor).
Our latest intel says the new Maxima will arrive in U.S. showrooms during the third or fourth quarter of the year.
Thanks to Kyle M. for the scoop shots!
Check out our Future Car rendering of what the production 2016 Maxima could look like.
Update: See the production 2016 Nissan Maxima here!
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