2016 Nissan Maxima SR bests BMW, Acura, and Audi in certified testing at Buttonwillow Raceway Park

All-new Nissan Maxima proves its "4-Door Sports Car" credentials in independent certified testing trial
Assembled field of competitors for test include BMW 328i, Acura TLX 3.5L Tech and Audi A4 2.0T quattro
Closest competitor, the BMW 328i, posts average lap time nearly a full second – 0.98 second – slower around 1.8-mile Buttonwillow Raceway's West Loop course
Two-and-a half minute testing video hosted by championship driver Andy Lally available now on Nissan's YouTube channel
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Nissan promised that the 2016 Nissan Maxima lives up to its "4-Door Sports Car" nickname when it revealed the all-new, eighth-generation sport sedan's design at the recent New York International Auto Show. Now the certified proof - and video testing highlights - are in and posted online for everyone to see.

Called the "2016 Nissan Maxima Test Track Challenge," AMCI Testing was contacted as an objective, independent third-party testing organization to explore and certify differences in Buttonwillow Raceway closed course lap performance between the 2015 Acura TLX 3.5 (FWD) with Technology Package, 2015 Audi A4 2.0T quattro® Premium Plus Tiptronic, 2015 BMW 328i sedan and the 2016 Nissan Maxima SR.

When all laps were completed around the 1.8-mile Buttonwillow Raceway Park's West Loop, the new Maxima was clearly the fastest:

"We expected the all-new 2016 Maxima, with its re-engineered engine, transmission and chassis to do well, but frankly even we were surprised by the head-to-head test results against some very well-established luxury sports sedans," said Pierre Loing, vice president, Product Planning, Nissan North America. "Following the adage that ‘seeing is believing', the video highlights that the 2016 Maxima's drivetrain and powertrain combination is well optimized for performance, meeting the challenge offered by the well-regarded rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive competitors."

About the Testing
AMCI Testing obtained the Acura, Audi and BMW anonymously from manufacturer authorized dealerships. The 2016 Nissan Maxima SR was obtained from Nissan North America (the 2016 Maxima goes on sale in early June).

AMCI Testing certified lap times were set by two AMCI Testing certified test drivers on Buttonwillow Raceway Park's West Loop (Configuration 28, Clockwise). All stability and traction controls were in the off position for all laps, and each lap began from a 40 MPH "Pace Car" start.

As required by the specific attributes to be certified, all vehicles underwent AMCI Testing's proprietary break-in procedure and were prepped according to manufacturers' specifications prior to testing. All preparation work was completed by an independent service facility.

"With strong acceleration out of the box and eager turn-in response while simultaneously braking, the Maxima SR outpaces the others to the apex of the first hairpin," Andy Lally, a four-time Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona winner, explains - and demonstrates - in the video. "Next, the esses, where you can see the others falling behind."

Along with infrared timing systems, the test team utilized "simulcam technology" to ghost the images of the four sports sedans over each other to show the differences in performance and speed as they drove through various corners.

Credits: Nissan News