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The Nissan Maxima is a car manufactured by Nissan that is in a line of upper mid-size executive and sports sedans. The Maxima debuted in 1976 as an upscale version of the Bluebird and was spun into its own line in 1980, having been made continuously since then. Most pre-2004 Maximas were built in Oppama, Japan, until the current North American Maximas started being assembled in Smyrna, Tennessee. The Maxima models are also known as Nissan Cefiro or Nissan Laurel in various markets. The Maxima model line began with the Nissan Bluebird Maxima, which was available in the US as Datsun 810 from February 1977. It was powered by two versions of the SOHC L-series I6 engine, a 2.0 L displacement for the Japanese market and a 2.4 L (as found in the Datsun 240Z) for the US market. The Bluebird Maxima used a carburetor for the base model and fuel injection for the sporty version. The 2.0 L engine was good for 122 PS JIS (90 kW), while the bigger American engine could reach 125 hp SAE (93 kW). The sporty version channeled power through a five speed manual transmission. These cars were rear-wheel drive and had a semi-trailing arm rear suspension. The station wagon variant had the rear live axle for load carrying reasons. 

The 2009 Nissan Maxima, which makes its world debut at the 2008 New York International Auto Show, marks the seventh generation of Nissan’s flagship sedan. Designed as a commanding four-door sports car, Maxima is unique in both appearance and driving feel, with renewed relevance for today’s active and ambitious sedan buyers. The all-new 2009 Maxima will be offered as two well-equipped models, Maxima 3.5 S and Maxima 3.5 SV, and is scheduled to arrive at Nissan dealers nationwide in early summer 2008.High targets were established for the development of the new Maxima, including the goal of creating “the best performing front engine, front-wheel drive car in the world,” along with the goals of class-leading acceleration, braking, handling, craftsmanship and cockpit design.The breakthrough exterior design of the new Maxima imparts a feeling of “liquid motion,” which combines an aggressive stance and powerful fender design – not unlike many exotic sports cars on the market today. Maxima’s new stance comes, in part, from a slight reduction in wheelbase and overall length, along with a wider front and rear track. The new Maxima’s interior design team developed an interior concept of “Super Cockpit” – imparting the feeling of sports car with controls ergonomically close, yet with ample roominess and comfort for both driver and passengers. The interior includes a special driver’s sport seat, available leather-appointed seating, offset shifter lever that is closer to the driver, “Daylight Illumination” gauges and a wide range of available technology, including a premium audio system, RearView Monitor and Nissan Hard Drive Navigation system with XM NavTraffic real-time traffic information (active XM® subscription required, sold separately), Voice Recognition and 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive.