NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW: Nissan launches 224kW Maxima

Following its surprise cameo appearance on an ad in this year’s Super Bowl, Nissan has launched its next-generation Maxima sedan.

Powered by a mostly new 224kW 3.5-litre V6, the new Maxima is said to lighter, more rigid and better to drive than ever before bringing ‘sport car-like acceleration and handling to the large sedan segment.’

Instead of a conventional six-, seven- or eight-speed automatic gearbox the Maxima gains Nissan’s Xtronic CVT transmission that now offer stronger acceleration from a standing start, according to the Japanese car maker.

Adopting Nissan’s new V-Motion front end, signature boomerang lights and ‘floating’ roof the big sedan is also said to have an interior that rivals more expensive luxury vehicles.

The new Nissan sedan also benefits from new autonomous braking technology.

On sale in the US this winter the Maxima range kicks off at US$32,410 -- that translates to $A41,500 in our money.

Officially, Nissan Australia says it currently has no plans to introduce the new Maxima over here but, in an interview with motoring.com.au last year, managing director Richard Emery did not rule out the possibility of the next Maxima replacing the Altima at some point.

"I think there is a place for Maxima. [But] Is there a place for two cars? I don’t know," he said.

“As the large car-medium car segment gets smaller you can’t have that much room to move with different model line-ups, I would have thought.

“So that might come down to timing; as to when the Maxima is available, if it is available and what it looks like versus what Altima is up to at the time”, added Emery.