Nissan's car collection for 2006 features powerful sedans in three sizes with flagship Maxima, mid-size Altima and a compact called Sentra. Lastly, Nissan constructs the two-seat 350Z sports car as a slinky hatchback coupe or racy drop-top roadster.

Concepts for Nissan's four-door flagship sedan came from designers in Japan, but assembly occurs in the United States at a Nissan manufacturing plant in Tennessee. Maxima for 2006 packs class-topping V6 power with two trims that vary in suspension tuning. The sport-oriented 3.5 SE uses a performance-tuned suspension for tight handling control, while the comfort-oriented 3.5 SL has cushy settings for a luxurious ride quality.

Maxima's sophisticated 3.5-liter V6, with dual cams and a drive-by-wire throttle, scores at 265 hp. For 3.5 SE trim, the engine connects to a smooth electronic automatic five-speed transmission with manual shift mode or a six-speed close-ratio manual stick. For elegant 3.5 SL, the V6 employs a four-speed automatic with gated shifter. Maxima's cockpit with standard glass-paneled roof supplies front bucket seats and a three-place rear bench, although the Elite Package on 3.5 SE puts buckets in front and back.

Nissan's mid-size Altima sedan looks bold with an aggressive prow with smoked headlamps and a wedge-shaped profile marked in crisp character lines. The cabin, with front bucket seats and a rear bench for three, is a plush space with chrome accents on dash and doors plus standard features like power windows and power door locks or a six-speaker audio system with AM/FM/CD.

Altima skews to multiple trims in 2006 as described by the size of two engine options. An entry model and two upgraded issues carry a dual-cam 2.5-liter in-line-four plant with 175 hp and line up as Altima 2.5, mid-grade 2.5 S and deluxe 2.5 with SL Package. Altima 3.5 SE and 3.5 SL earn Nissan's 3.5-liter V6 for 250 hp. Four new packages of gear show up in 2006 like the 2.5 Special Edition Package or a Luxury Package.

Nissan reserves the SE-R designation for special editions with racy aero body elements and boosted power. The Altima SE-R special issue carries Altima's 3.5-liter V6 engine, although a modular cylinder head design, continuously variable valve timing and variable induction system come together to boost output to 260 hp. Also, the shifter upgrades to a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic/MSM. Suspension enhancements include tuned front struts and rear shocks with stiffer springs and thicker stabilizer bars. And special bodywork applies, like deep fascias front and rear, xenon high intensity discharge (HID) headlights, side sill spoilers and a tail spoiler plus dual chrome exhaust tips.

In the cabin, SE-R upgrades to sport buckets with perforated leather inserts, aluminum pedals, a three-pod cluster of analog gauges atop the center dash stack, and a Bose premium audio system with eight speakers and six-disc CD changer. (CONTINUE...)