From MT article

"This unassuming sedan turns from econocar to hot-rod in an instant, torque-steering you 0-60 mph in 6.28 seconds (good !) and besting the new 345-hp Infiniti Q45 by over 2 tenths. Blazing through the quarter mile in 14.72 sec/96.82 mph lets you pick on Porsche Boxsters !"

"Power delivery is smooth and linear. It's not super strong below 3000, but from that point to redline, it delivers a healthy, velvety rush. Use the gearbox to keep the revs up a bit and it makes a credible play at sport-sedanship."

"The shift linkage on our preproduction tester felt strange, however. It was light in between the gates, yet notchy at the same time. We'll reserve judgement until we drive a series-production vehicle."

"A 2.5SL with an automatic feels about as quick as a 170-hp VW Passat 1.8T, without the turbo lag, of course."

About the 4-cyl: "The four is much noisier than the V-6 in getting up to speed on full-throttle launches (DUH !). It feels strongest in the upper ranges, but it's not devoid of low- and mid- range torque like so many Japanese four-cylinder engines". BTW it's still rated at 180 horses in the article ...

"Steering is light, too, much lighter than an Accord's, but feels very precise. The Altima, whether equipped with the 2.5L engine and 16-in. wheels or the 3.5L engine and 17-in alloys, is one of the better-handling sedans in this segment."

"The brakes are big and strong, although not quite Germanic..."

"Weight ranges from 2998 lb for the base 4-cylinder model with 5 speed manual gearbox to 3244 for an SE 3.5 V-6 with the automatic. It seems light, perhaps a bit too light in the weight and feel of some of its interior panels that appear to have been cost-cut a bit too far"

BTW: This is still just the preproduction car !!

 

maybe this might force Acura to bring the RSX-type R over here a bit sooner

 

Good 0-60 and 1/4 times, but the description of the cheap interior is not very uplifting.

 

That's what i'm saying

 

Now I wonder what the Maxima numbers will be...

 

Actually what scares me even more is that the new Z is going to have between 280-300hp, and it's going to way about 3200lbs, with a 6spd and RWD. Now that's definitely going to be a rocket...an affordable rocket!

 

All of a sudden headers sound like a good idea......

 

I'll put money down that with the added weight and the extra 15hp will result in no more than an extra 2/10 over those numbers. If/when a 6-speed Type S comes out, hopefully the car will be lighter and will result in sub-6 second numbers.

 

i like that one!!. How much time would a helical lsd bring off on the 1/4 mile and 0-60. That supercharger better come fast??

 

my exdperience has been that production does not come close to production so we will just have to wait and see!!!

 

When did the Q45 ever get 345 hp?!?!?!

 

Holy shit! I was not expectin this to be that low. Hmmm...

 

Lighter car than ours....

 

the Maxima is smaller and lighter than the Altima.. it has 15 hp and more tq and it has LSD.. its definately going to be faster than the Altima..

thing to note.. 96 mph traps usually result in low 14's

 

You must mean the new stuff (and not even then) the Altima is way smaller than the Maxima. Had both.

dee

 

i read somewhere that the new q does 0-60 in under 6 sec

 

we all did...but htere's a debate about it whether it really does or not 'cuz no one (no mags) have been able to get anywhere near 6, much less under.

 

i dont care if the new altima or maxima can fly, those are some ugly looking cars just my opinion.