Japan's Nissan, armed with a design studio in California and assembly plants in Tennessee and Mississippi, introduces a new sixth generational expression of the flagship Maxima this year in a fresh execution extending from roof to rails.

Maxima is larger now in all dimensions with a forceful V6 aboard pumping top-of-class power and two trim designations skewed toward either a sporty mode for gearbox and suspension or a comfort mode with deluxe content for downright elegant motoring.

Also, the expanded structure creates a larger passenger compartment. There's 103.6 cubic feet of space in the cabin plus a trunk in back with 15.5 cubic feet for gear.

Nissan's car collection for 2004 also includes the mid-size Altima sedan series, a compact-class sedan called Sentra with sport-inspired SE-R special editions, and sports cars that bear the name of Nissan's fastback Z-cars.

The 350Z rolled out in 2003 as a slinky two-door coupe with hatchback styling and sport-tuned hardware set for serious pavement performance. It returns in seven different flavors, but also spawns an airy two-seat roadster variation rigged with a power-operated soft top that lowers the lid in 20 seconds.

A Touring Edition and the Enthusiast Edition are available on the new 350Z Roadster with either a five-speed automatic or six-speed manual shifter.

Altima, Nissan's four-door sedan for the mid-size class, projects aggressive styling points and packs aboard a big V6 engine. Exterior designs look crisp and clean, but also aggressive and powerful with taut skin stretched over muscular shoulders and flat side panels interrupted by bulging fenders.