49% Performance                                   
                49% Luxury                        
                                 2% Secret Sauce       

For five straight years, Ward's Auto World has named the Maxima's 3.0L VQ-series engine to its Top 10 list. We knew we could do better.

We rerouted exhaust pipes, redesigned the muffler and retuned the cooling fans to cancel out their own noise. The result: a 222-hp all-aluminum engine that delivers 217 foot-pounds of torque, and performance that is quieter, cleaner-burning and -- thanks to 100,000-mile spark plugs* -- more worry-free.

With a zero-to-sixty rating of 6.7 seconds**, the 2000 Maxima is the fastest, most powerful sedan we've ever made -- and a cut above everything in its class.

Of course, there's more to performance than power ... 

Handling: The Maxima's body now has 20% better resistance to bending and 30% better resistance to twisting. Combined with thicker stabilizer bars, this gives you greater smoothness, excitement, and control in tricky situations.

Braking: In addition to better brake feel -- less force to brake and more feedback -- the all-new Maxima comes standard with an enhanced, 4-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS).

Economy: Despite its 15% increase in horsepower, the Maxima gets an estimated 28* miles per gallon (27* with manual transmission), so you can spend more time enjoying the road than the gas station. * 2000 EPA highway mileage figures. Actual mileage may vary with driving conditions -- use for comparison only.  Transmission: The electronically controlled 4-speed automatic is even smoother, while the 5-speed manual features easier shifting and strengthened gears.

Tuned Exhaust: Race cars and Maximas have them -- equal length exhaust pipes that maximize engine power by improving exhaust flow. But equal length pipes take up more room, so most car makers choose compactness over efficiency. After a number of late nights, our engineers found a way to fit them compactly under the hood.

Space-Age Components: Inconel is a jet-engine material that maintains its integrity even at blistering temperatures. We used it in the new muffler valve to help you enjoy both low-end torque and high-end horsepower.

Testing: Read how we put the Maxima through a cruelty test no car should be expected to survive. 

*Under normal driving conditions with routine fluid and filter changes.
 See your owner's manual for details.
**Motor Trend, July 1999. Maxima with manual transmission.