Quote:
Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370
RWD would never happen because that would immediately cut into Infiniti Q sales.... At best, if lucky? We would see some version of the juke AWD system on a 3300lb or lighter maxima sedan, if we're lucky? The next gen maxima at best will have a NISMO tuned CVT and optional 6 speed manual, as I believe nissans loss of manuals is a temporary move to offset the cost of selling manuals for now. In order to push with other technologies over the next 4 to 7 years. Manuals will start resurfacing soon, I'm sure...
The maxima needs to follow the same trends it had in 1989-1995. fwd/Awd would make a nice advancement into the next gen.
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I disagree with a lot of the post here. There's $10k+ difference in the two cars. People shopping a Q are not likely to cross shop it with a Maxima - they're much more likely to cross shop a BMW 3 series or Audi A4, etc. It especially doesn't make much sense when you say that an AWD platform is a better business case when the Q50 comes in AWD configuration as well, as do the BMW and Audi it competes with. The Maxima still carries a Nissan nameplate, and that is enough to keep it out of Q territory because people after those cars are after the stigma of having a luxury vehicle, and Nissan, while offering some luxury amenities in some of its vehicles, is a far cry from a luxury brand.
That said - I would like to see either one. The Maxima needs something like a manual transmission or a different powertrain setup than FWD to establish a clear difference between it and the current Altima. The Maxima has been RWD before. It could be again.
As for the wheel gap argument - Nissan has killer wheel gap because of the pedestrian safety requirements automakers must meet. These requirements dictate ride height and front end design on cars of the midsize sedan classes and this is how Nissan is making it work. Honestly - as far as front end design with respect to newer safety guidelines, Mazda's Kodo design language is the only one that is getting it right while abiding by guidelines.