Carrying on as a true premium 4-door sports sedan, the 2006 Nissan Maxima unites a muscular sport design with first class features and the amenities of a luxury sedan. Maxima combines an aggressive exterior with an inviting interior and powerful V6 engine to create a stylish performance machine for driving enthusiasts.
Enhancements for the 2006 model include available Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System, available outside mirror with auto-tilt down in reverse, available dual auto-dimming outside mirrors, available Navigation with revised Graphic User Interface (GUI) and illuminated steering wheel switches.
“The attention to detail incorporated into the innovative style and performance of the Maxima has continued for six successful generations,” said Ian Forsyth, director, Nissan Canada Inc. “Maxima customers have come to love its formula of performance, style and value and the 2006 model continues that tradition.”
A Stylish, Sporty Design
Maxima's powerful design begins with its chiseled, muscular shape with pronounced character lines.
Its arched design creates an expansive image, while the broad beltline creates a strong and integrated impression from front to rear. The distinctive C-pillar design, with subtle extensions beyond the rear backlight, forms a coupe-like silhouette, maintaining a strong Maxima character. The high rear deck provides easy accessibility to the ample trunk that is essential to a sedan.
The front fascia is sharp and cleanly sculpted and features a distinctive Nissan signature grille with a unique, rounded-rectangle shape pattern accentuated by a dark chrome finish, along with a deeply sculpted combination headlight cluster with optional xenon bulbs (standard on
3.5 SL). The pronounced rear fascia is elegant and leaves a strong impression, accented with the unique design of the body panel that surrounds the rear taillights.
The combination of large wheels with boldly sculpted fender openings and double dual exhaust mufflers with chromed tips give Maxima a very powerful and dominating stance that evokes a feeling of high performance.
Large 18-inch, 6-spoke alloy wheels come standard on the 3.5 SE, while
17-inch 7-spoke wheels are standard on the 3.5 SL. The 2006 Maxima is available in a choice of eight exterior colours.
A Contemporary, Comfortable Interior
The contemporary design of the Maxima's exterior is reflected in the interior. The standard SkyView™ glass-paneled roof 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.
Illuminated steering wheel controls, restyled roof console for enhanced switch operation and revised Graphic User Interface (GUI) for navigation and help the driver to feel more in tune to vehicle control.
Available Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System are the latest additions for 2006. The Bluetooth® system helps the driver to maintain focus towards the road ahead without the distraction often met with hand held cell phone usage.
Luxury sedan elements are found in interior comfort amenities such as Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control (ACC), rear air conditioning vents, sun visors with vanity mirrors and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. Standard is a Bose® audio system with 8 speakers and AM/FM/cassette/6CD in-dash autochanger, heated steering wheel, heated cloth seats and information centre.
Wood tone trim on 3.5 SL and metallic tone accents on the 3.5 SE are standard. Interior colours for 2006 include Café Latté, Frost and Black. Five person seating with cloth material is standard. Five-seat leather or 4-seat leather combinations are also available, depending on model and package.
Maximum Safety
Maxima comes equipped with the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS), dual-stage front air bags, seat belt sensors with front-seat occupant classification sensor, front-seat side impact supplemental dual-stage air bags and side curtain air bags. Front-seat active head restraints, 3-point rear seat belts for all seating with adjustable upper anchors, pretensioners and load limiters, emergency inside trunk release, Zone Body construction with front and rear crushable zones and the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat anchors and tether system are all included in Maxima's long list of safety features.
The Legend Behind Maxima Performace
Maxima's legendary performance continues in 2006 with the use of the award-winning VQ 3.5-litre engine. The DOHC 24-valve V6 produces 265 horsepower* and 255 lb-ft torque, and achieves a ULEV/LEV2 vehicle rating.
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.
For the serious driving enthusiast, a 6-speed close-ratio manual transmission standard on 3.5 SE models. This transmission optimizes the powerband of the 3.5-litre engine and gives the driver the ultimate sports car feel. All 2006 Maximas have an optional 5-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with manual shift mode and gated shifter (standard on 3.5 SL). Maxima features a standard Traction Control System (TCS) on all models, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) is optional on all A/T models.
Maxima's responsive handling comes from a suspension design adapted and improved from the Japanese-market Nissan Skyline. It consists of an innovative rear multi-link independent suspension, which offers outstanding stability by minimizing camber change during cornering.
The rear shocks and springs are separated for reduced friction and the shock is in line with the centre of the rear wheels, providing better damping and less harshness.
Maxima 3.5 SE models feature a special performance-tuned suspension for maximum handling prowess, while the 3.5 SL models feature a luxury-tuned suspension providing a supple ride and smooth handling.
Braking is provided by standard 4-wheel disc brakes with a 4-channel, 4-sensor,
4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). Front rotors are class-leading at 12.60 inches in size. Also standard is Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), which optimizes brake force depending on load condition (passenger and cargo) and Brake Assist (BA), which senses hard or panic pedal application and helps provide maximum braking capacity.
The 3.5 SE model offers large 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and V-rated P245/45R18 tires. 3.5 SL features 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with H-rated P225/55R17 tires.
Models and Options
The 2006 Maxima is available in three models: The sporty 3.5 SE 4-seat, 3.5 SE 5-seat and the luxurious 3.5 SL.
A number of option packages are available on Maxima SE models, including an A/T (automatic transmission) Package, a Leather Package, a Navi Package, which includes a DVD Navigation System with seven-inch colour LCD display and a Sunroof Package, which includes a power glass sunroof (replaces SkyView).
In addition to all the standard equipment on SE models, Maxima 3.5 SL is equipped with the A/T (five-speed automatic), Leather and Sunroof packages. Also available on SL is the Navi Package.