2009 Nissan Maxima

Judging by the Web hits on any scrap of information we post pertaining to Nissan's 2009 Maxima, you guys and girls can't wait to get your hands on this all-new edition of the Japanese maker's four-door sedan -- er, I mean, "four-door sports car."

Well, we have one in the garage right now. Just drove it a few minutes ago. Want some first-hand impressions? Sure you do. And here they are.

For the new, seventh-generation version of its famed four-door, first unveiled as the Maxima in 1985, Nissan has done the unthinkable: it's actually downsized the car. You read that right: in an era when every model year brings "bigger, larger, fatter," the Maxima has gone lean. Wheelbase shrinks 1.9 inches, length is cut by nearly four inches, and height is reduced almost half an inch. Importantly, though, track has widened 1.4 inches up front and 1.2 inches at the rear. While other cars have grown to accommodate a "larger" audience (the Honda Accord comes to mind), the new Maxima is intentionally primed for responsiveness.

Big things are happening under the hood, though. Remapping the engine for premium fuel -- plus a new intake, reshaped pistons, and a less-restrictive exhaust -- help the ubiquitous Nissan 3.5-liter V-6 deliver 290 horsepower (versus 255 for the 2008 model) and 261 pound-feet of torque (up 9 pound-feet). Yet fuel economy actually improves, to 19/26 city/highway mpg (compared with 19/25 for the outgoing car).

A few interesting tidbits:

* Nissan claims the front structure's torsional rigidity has improved 100 percent.
* "O rings" surrounding all firewall-penetrating hardware (such as the steering column) greatly reduce interior noise -- so much so that Nissan has had to "pipe in" some exhaust tones via a "sound generator."
* Disc brakes are larger front and rear.
* The front-rear moonroof is the largest one Nissan has ever done; Nissan claims the forward opening is the largest in the industry.
* Some of the aluminum suspension pieces are borrowed from the Infiniti M45.
* The engine is cradled by a six-point mount for reduced vibrations.
* Nissan had to purchase six new robots (at $2 million) for its Smyrna, Tennessee, plant to achieve the paint finish it sought.

Two models will be offered once the Maxima goes on sale in late June: the 3.5S and the 3.5SV. In addition to features included on the well-outfitted S, the SV adds such extras as leather seats, premium 9-speaker Bose audio, HomeLink, fog lamps, and outside mirrors with turn-signal indicators. What's more, Nissan will offer the SV is two editions: Premium and Sport. Nissan claims that the latter Maxima, fortified with 19-inch alloys and optional 245/40R19 summer Bridgestones, is the best-handling front-drive car in the world. A bold statement, to be sure -- and one we'll be sure to examine thoroughly -- but you should know this: Nissan's target car, as it tuned the Maxima during endless laps around Germany's Nurburgring, was none other than the Porsche GT3 (winner of our "best-handling car" competition last year).

Thus far our wheel time has been limited, but already the Maxima stands out. The cockpit is gorgeous, with a meaty steering wheel, intuitive controls, deeply pocketed sport seats (love the refrigerated driver's seat!), and soft-touch materials across the dash. The engine, mated to a standard CVT (no manual is planned), is hushed and pulls smoothly; no undue tugging at the wheel. The ride is well-isolated and controlled.

Nissan says Maxima buyers are its most loyal customers. Four out of five cars are still on the road, and the automaker expects to sell another 70,000 units this year.

So far, we like what we see. Compared with the outgoing model, which was softer, too heavy, a bit bland, the new Maxima appears to have made a compelling return to its "sports car" roots; it's back in fighting trim.

Stay tuned. We're heading out for an extended drive, plus full instrumented testing and other surprises. You'll read it all right here soon.