The 2008 Nissan Maxima continues its position as the flagship of the Nissan lineup, carrying the numerous enhancements and refinements from the last model year, when the Maxima received extensive styling, performance and amenity enhancements. The 2007 Maxima was rated the top-ranked vehicle in AutoPacific’s 2007 Vehicle Satisfaction Award for Luxury Mid-Size Cars, with the company calling its “high value, high feature, luxury transportation.”

For the new model year, a new Platinum Edition Package – featuring driver memory features, driver’s seat power lumbar support, auto-dimming outside mirrors, HID Bi-Xenon headlights, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, heated steering wheel and more – is available on both SE and SL models

The 2007 model updates, all of which carry over to 2008, included a redesigned exterior, a greatly refined interior, the addition of new, available technology features and the adoption of the smooth, efficient Nissan Xtronic CVT™ (Continuously Variable Transmission) as standard equipment.

“Maxima offers the best Nissan has to offer, including stylish design, exhilarating driving performance and user-friendly technology,” said Bill Bosley, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division. “Maxima continues as a great performance sedan at a great value, just as it has for the generation of sporty Maximas that have come before.”

A Sporty, Dynamic Exterior
Maxima’s front grille, hood, bumper and headlights give the front end a contemporary appearance, balancing the sporty look of the deep front valance and large wheel openings. The headlights include built-in cornering lights, while the fog lights sit just below, on the front bumper. HID xenon headlights are optional on all models. Other exterior features include aggressive side sills and a prominent rear spoiler (standard on 3.5 SE), a dynamic rear bumper design with available Rear Sonar System and dual tailpipe finishers.

Maxima’s dynamic performance stance is accented by 17-inch (3.5 SL) and 18-inch (3.5 SE) 7-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels.

The 2008 Maxima is available in a choice of eight exterior colors: Winter Frost, Super Black, Majestic Blue, Sonoma Sunset, Radiant Silver, Pebble Beach, Precision Gray and Dark Slate.

A Smart, Premium Interior
Maxima’s interior boasts a high level of quality, luxury and sportiness to match the unique exterior. The instrument panel features a center stack with quality feel and control ergonomics and a Fine Vision Meter gauge display for easy readability, all of which make for an intuitive, cockpit-like interior.

Comfort and convenience features include standard Intelligent Key and auxiliary input jack and available 6-disc in-dash CD autochanger with mp3 capability.

The seats offer large shoulder bolsters and a sporty sew pattern, with a sliding center armrest for comfort and utility. Other interior features include illuminated steering wheel controls, available factory-installed satellite radio and available Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System.

The 2008 Maxima again offers a standard SkyView™ glass-paneled roof, which creates an open environment for front and rear passengers while maintaining a solid roof structure. The SkyView is a single elongated rectangular-shaped glass panel that stretches from the front of the roof to the back and comes with sliding sunshades to block out sunlight when desired. A traditional power sliding glass moonroof is optional and replaces the SkyView.

Maxima also offers a dot-matrix center display screen (non-Navigation System) that provides HVAC, audio system and trip computer functions in one central location, dual-zone automatic temperature control, rear air conditioning vents, sun visors with vanity mirrors and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, standard 8-way power driver’s seat (4-way power passenger seat standard on 3.5 SL, optional on 3.5 SE) with available entry/exit feature.

Also available is a Bose® premium audio system with 8 speakers, AM/FM/6-disc in-dash CD changer, speed-sensitive auto volume control and available Nissan DVD-based navigation system with 7-inch color display. Heated front seats are standard on 3.5 SL and optional on 3.5 SE.

Three interior colors are offered again for 2008: Café Latté, Frost and Charcoal.

A Tradition of Exhilarating Performance
The heart of the Maxima is its powerful, award-winning 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 engine, rated at 255 horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque.

The engine features a modular engine design with microfinished crank journals and cam lobes, molybdenum coated lightweight pistons, a resin intake collector, digital knock control, six individual coils (one per spark plug) and a cross-flow coolant pattern.

Also utilized are Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control (CVTCS), variable induction system, a silent timing chain and electronically controlled throttle.

All 2008 Maximas come equipped with a standard Xtronic CVT™ with manual mode, tuned specifically for Maxima’s sporty driving character. The Xtronic CVT is designed to create a true synergy between engine and transmission with smooth, responsive, efficient operation. The 2008 Maxima also features a standard Traction Control System (TCS) and optional Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC).

Maxima’s responsive handling comes from a 4-wheel independent suspension design. The strut front suspension features coil springs and stabilizer bar, while the multi-link independent rear suspension offers outstanding stability by minimizing camber change during cornering. The rear shock absorbers and springs are separated for reduced friction and the shock is in line with the center of the rear wheels, providing better damping and less harshness.

Braking is provided by standard 4-wheel disc brakes with a 4-channel, 4-sensor, 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). Steering is provided by an engine-speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion design.

The 3.5 SE model offers standard 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and V-rated P245/45R18 tires. Maxima 3.5 SL features 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with H-rated P225/55R17 tires.

Advanced Safety Features
The 2008 Maxima comes equipped with standard Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage front supplemental air bags, front seat side-impact supplemental air bags for chest protection and roof-mounted curtain side-impact air bags for front and rear outboard occupant head protection.

Also standard are front-seat Active Head Restraints, 3-point rear seat belts for all seating positions, front seat belts with adjustable upper anchors, pretensioners and load limiters, emergency inside trunk release, Zone Body construction with front and rear crushable zones, LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat anchors and tether system and Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).

Models and Options
The 2008 Maxima is available in two well-equipped models, the 3.5 SE and 3.5 SL.

A number of options and packages are available, including a Sensory Package, with a Bose® audio system with 8 speakers and AM/FM/6CD, RDS, speed sensitive volume control, leather-appointed heated front seats, heated outside mirrors, compass and factory activation of XM® satellite radio.

Also offered is the new Platinum Edition Package with Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, HID xenon headlights, Driver Memory System (memory driver’s seat, power tilt/telescopic steering wheel with memory, auto-dimming outside memory mirrors with auto tilt down in reverse), driver seat power lumbar support, power entry/exit seat, heated steering wheel and Rear Sonar.

Available options include a DVD Navigation System with 7-inch color LCD display, a Power Glass moonroof (replaces SkyView) and Vehicle Dynamic Control.

The 2008 Nissan Maxima is assembled by Nissan North America Manufacturing Smyrna & Decherd Tennessee Plant.