NISSAN'S new flagship Maxima QX went on sale on Tuesday with improved specification compared with the model it replaces and with on-the-road prices down by as much as £4,000. The entry level 2.0-litre V6 SE is listed at £20,700 and the range-topping 200bhp 3.0 V6 SE+ is priced at £25,900.

Just the two engines, with SE and SE+ trims, are available and on the smaller unit, automatic transmission is offered for an extra £1,000. The manufacturer expects to sell fewer than 700 examples of the luxury saloon in the UK in its first full year.

• Full QX price list: 2.0SE manual £20,700, 2.0SE auto £21,700, 2.0SE+ auto £23,700, 3.0SE+ auto £25,900, 3.0SE+ auto, sat nav £27,400.