[Moppie]

Becasue Nissan made the US version of the Maxima in a smaller lighter weight body than the version sold in the rest of the world, but packed it with the same 3.0L V6, and then tuned it. And the new ones now have a 3.5L tuned version of the V6.
Combined with a close ration low geared g/box, and the excellent drive line effiancy of a FWD and you have actualy have a VERY fast 4 door car.

Just because you happen to be faster than an Auto V8 Mustang dosn't mean the Mustang is in anyway slow. Try racing one in a Japanese or European version of the Maxima and you will get well and truely shat on.