“Don’t call it a Maxima,” is the first thing Nissan folks tell us about their Sport Sedan concept making its debut at the 2014 Detroit auto show. Sure thing. We won’t call it a Maxima, even though the Maxima is overdue for a redesign and the Sedan concept’s 191.7-inch length and 111.2-inch wheelbase would work perfectly for a Maxima. Fine, it’s not a Maxima.
Whether you think of it as a Maxima or not, the Sedan concept does give us a look at some of the cues that Nissan’s sedans will wear in the future. Penned by Nissan Design America in San Diego, California, and built by Nissan Global Design Center in Atsugi, Japan; the concept has a blacked-out A-pillar and side-window glass that works to hide the B-pillar, although the low roof is unlikely to see production. Other style elements likely to make it onto future Nissans are the narrow black strips that cut through the C-pillars, the boomerang-shaped headlights and taillights, and the trapezoid shape of the chromed grille; Nissan calls the front-end look “V-Motion.”
In person, the concept looks strikingly wide and low. Front-drive proportions are well hidden and the fenders swell around the 21-inch wheels. And, if you were wondering, the paint color is called “Strad Amber” and is said to have been inspired by the finish on classic violins. The color is achieved by applying an orange amber coat of paint on top of a gold base coat.
Open the concept’s door and there are more design elements that look ready for production. The center stack and shifter float above the center console. Angles and symmetry win out over organic shapes. If it wasn’t for the absence of a natural material like wood, this interior would work perfectly in an Infiniti.
But since this is a Nissan, the concept is front-wheel drive and powered by a 300-plus-hp 3.5-liter V-6 coupled to a CVT automatic. Did someone say, Maxima?
Tony Quiroga is an 18-year-veteran Car and Driver editor, writer, and car reviewer and the 19th editor-in-chief for the magazine since its founding in 1955. He has subscribed to Car and Driver since age six. "Growing up, I read every issue of Car and Driver cover to cover, sometimes three or more times. It's the place I wanted to work since I could read," Quiroga says. He moved from Automobile Magazine to an associate editor position at Car and Driver in 2004. Over the years, he has held nearly every editorial position in print and digital, edited several special issues, and also helped produce C/D's early YouTube efforts. He is also the longest-tenured test driver for Lightning Lap, having lapped Virginia International Raceway's Grand Course more than 2000 times over 12 years.
