Nissan Middle East announces two sporty new additions to its product range

The company also confirmed it would add the convertible 370Z Roadster model to its GCC line-up in early 2010. There was also good news for Nissan enthusiasts with official confirmation of 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.

All-new 2010 Maxima sedan - Nissan's premium 4DSC
Much-loved by Nissan's Middle Eastern customers through previous generations the Maxima now returns to the Middle East as Nissan's Flagship 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. 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 roominess and comfort for both driver and passengers. Key design words emphasized during development were "impressive and silky," "high touch," "craftsmanship" and "high tech."　Plenty of luxurious features are also available - 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."

Along with Nissan Maxima's new level of performance comes a high level of passive and active safety equipment in addition to Zone Body construction, realizing Nissan's "Safety Shield" concept. The 2010 Maxima comes equipped with standard Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System (TCS), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). In the United States Nissan Maxima has achieved the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) highest possible 5 star safety rating for front and side impact crash safety.

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. 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 370Z has a taut new skin - one that looks completely new, yet completely Z. The exterior design incorporates the original 1970 240Z styling cues, a sleek aerodynamic shape, a "dynamic motion" feel with a dramatic cantilevered roof (with Nissan GT-R styling cues) and a "low visual gravity."

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.

"Quite apart from its fabulous specification and fresh new look, the new 370Z is going to upstage the sports cars segment with its unbeatable combination of performance and value" said Gilles Normand, Corporate Vice President, Nissan Motor Company.

"At Nissan we call the new 370Z a 'super evolution' because it builds on the best features of both the first and last generation of Z cars (the 240Z and 350Z) and is respectful but not retro, simple yet sophisticated, and 110 percent pure Z. The new 370Z lives in the sweet spot of performance, style and value, a position that Nissan invented with the original Z in 1970. It's an authentic sports car that you don't have to make sacrifices to own or drive everyday" he concluded.

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.

NISMO - Sharpen Your Racing Edge

Established in 1984, 'NISMO' - or Nissan Motorsports International - is the company's wholly-owned racing division dedicated to the design and development of Nissan race and rally cars for entry into many domestic and international race series around the world. NISMO is the performance brand of NISSAN known throughout the world in providing extreme performance Nissan parts and vehicles to customers with products derived from state-of-the-art technology and know-how cultivated through motorsports activity. Now, these NISMO accessories are made available for customers under the convenience of Nissan's regular warranty.

For the first time Nissan Middle East will officially offer a range of NISMO parts through its retail partners across the GCC from this autumn. Three Nissan models can be equipped with NISMO parts: the new 370Z Coupe, the Altima sedan and the Tiida compact car.

For example the 2010 370Z Coupe can be equipped with such parts as a NISMO Aero kit (front/side/rear spoilers), NISMO S-tune Suspension, NISMO Exhaust System and NISMO 19" Forged Alloy Wheels plus other detailed enhancements.

"We are delighted to be able to officially launch a range of NISMO parts to our Middle East region customers" commented Gilles Normand, Corporate Vice President, Nissan Motor Company. "Nissan is very active in the world of motorsports and the company has attracted a strong customer demand for our NISMO motorsport-developed tuning parts. In this region we are well aware that many enthusiastic Nissan owners would like to personalize and enhance their cars and with the availability of NISMO parts we can begin to satisfy their demand".