Nissan launches new sports cars

Nissan Middle East today announced the Middle East launch two sporty new additions to its product range.

The all-new 2010 Nissan Maxima sedan and 2010 Nissan 370Z Coupe will be available to customers from its GCC retail partners this autumn.

The company also confirmed it would add the convertible 370Z Roadster model to its GCC line-up in early 2010.

It also announced the availability for the first time of a selection of its Nismo racing accessory parts for the new 370Z Coupe, Altima sedan and Tiida compact car.

2010 Maxima sedan

The all-new 2010 Maxima has been designed as a commanding four-door sports car (4DSC) that is unique in both appearance and driving feel. High targets were established for the development of the new Maxima, including the goal of creating ‘the No.1 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, said a statement. The Maxima’s dynamic new stance is accented by standard 19-inch alloy wheels with low-profile performance tires.

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 room and comfort for both driver and passengers.

The luxurious features include a navigation system with a rearview monitor, Bose premium audio system, Intelligent Key with push button ignition, premium leather power seats with both cooling and heating functions, etc.

The Maxima comes equipped with a standard 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve award-wining VQ-series V6 engine, rated at 290 horsepower and a punchy 35.7 kg-m of torque – making this Nissan’s most powerful sedan ever. The new Maxima’s standard intelligent Xtronic CVT transmission is tuned specifically for the car’s sporty driving character. It includes a manual shift mode, new “Ds mode” (drive sport) and available F1-style paddle shifters.

“The 2010 Maxima has two sides to its character – a rational side with sedan practicality and luxury but also the soul of a sports car, so we call it the first premium “4-door sport car” from Nissan” said Gilles Normand, Corporate Vice President, Nissan Motor Company. “The all-new 2010 Maxima is reclaiming its rich high-performance sedan heritage with an infusion of emotional design, driving excitement and advanced technology – creating an aggressive, stimulating sports sedan like no other on the road today.”

2010 370Z sports car

In the first full redesign of the iconic Nissan Z sports car since its re-introduction as the 350Z in 2003, nearly every piece and component of Nissan’s new 370Z has been rethought or redesigned, said the statement.

The 2010 370Z has a shorter wheelbase, makes greater use of lightweight body materials, has a new engine with a class-leading 328 horsepower yet with improved fuel economy, has a new 7-speed automatic transmission with F1-style paddle shifters and a world’s first synchronized downshift rev matching system for the six-speed manual transmission. Inside, a new high quality driver-centric interior puts the driver centre stage plus a host of new technology features become available including a touch-screen Navigation system.

The 2010 370Z’s dynamic new styling offers dual benefits – a more aggressive appearance and a lighter, tighter structure for enhanced performance.

The new Z is powered by the fourth generation of Nissan’s award-winning VQ-series V6. The new 3.7-liter VQ37VHR engine with VVEL (Variable Valve Event and Lift) is rated at 328 horsepower and 37.0kg-m of torque.

The new engine is backed by a choice of two new advanced transmissions, both designed to improve driver performance. The new close-ratio 6-speed manual includes an available world’s first “SynchroRev Match” system, which automatically controls and adjusts engine speed when shifting to the exact speed of the next gear position, essentially “blipping” the throttle to smooth out any up/down shifts. The new 7-speed automatic with magnesium paddle shifters is designed to offer ultra quick, manual-like shifting when operated in manual mode with a target time of 0.5 seconds between shifts.

The 370Z will initially be available as a coupe from autumn this year but a convertible Roadster version will be introduced across the GCC from early 2010, it said