Nissan ready for round two with more in-your-face Juke

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• Significant cosmetic and mechanical changes, including new 1.2 DIG-T engine

• Entire range now turbo charged

• NissanConnect smart phone integration on certain models

Rosslyn, South Africa,  30 JANUARY 2015 -  Nissan’;s design team has given the world’;s first B-segment crossover a concentrated dose of Juke-ness for its 2015 upgrade.

The new 2015 Nissan Juke is set to reach dealers at the end of January and promises to repeat its sales success with redesigned front and rear styling and a significant upgrade in luxury specification.

“The Juke is a surprising vehicle in many respects,” says Konstantin von Vieregge, General Manager of Marketing and Planning at Nissan South Africa. “Apart from its unique styling, the slightly irreverent Nissan Juke has surprised market-watchers with its performance and its appeal to styling enthusiasts of all ages, both male and female.

“This is why more than 500 000 people across the globe have gone for a Juke since its global introduction in 2010. In South Africa, we have maintained a near-300 unit average a month since its introduction in 2011, selling close on 12 000 units in the period to date.”

Styling and design changes – Exterior

• Refreshed bumpers, lights and side mirrors


• Newly designed and larger wheels


• Favourite Juke styling cues remain untouched

The refreshed Juke retains many of its favourite elements, such as the sporty sloping roofline, SUV stance and hidden rear door handles, while updating many other elements to align with the current popular Nissan crossover design language.

Viewed from the front, all 3 levels of lighting have been given more prominence, starting with the fog lights that nestle in a newly designed black air intake and redesigned colour-coded bumper. The rounded fog lights with new clear lenses take centre stage and flank a new grille with grated design and a bolder SUV-style Nissan badge. This badge cue is repeated in the centre console instrumentation and at the back of the car in the diffuser design.

The most dramatic and visually enticing change is found in the uppermost-lights that have been completely redesigned and which joins the family of modern Nissan crossovers with its boomerang shape and integrated daytime running lights – a standard feature across the entire Juke range.

On the flanks the new side mirrors with turn signals are squared off and bolder, and in the Tekna specification integrate, wide-angle cameras that link to the rear and nose camera to offer 360 degree visibility when manoeuvring the Juke.

New alloy wheels complete the packaged and have been inched up from 16″ to 17″ on all but the 1.2 DIG-T Acenta model and from 17″ to 18″ on the Tekna models.

The rear of the Juke has been given a similarly dramatic upgrade with a new luggage door with wider number plate area, and the new diffuser and rear air dam have been redesigned to create a wider and more purposeful stance for the Juke.

Other changes to the rear of the car include the new roof-mounted aerial, completely redesigned rear lights that mirror the front lights and pay homage to Nissan street-stars such as the 370Z, redesigned rear reflectors and an exhaust pipe that takes pride of place with new chrome detailing on the Tekna models.

Styling and design changes – Interior

• Premium treatment for centre console


• High level of standard specification across entire model range


• Luggage storage area now 40% bigger

Step inside and the Juke has retained all of the playful elements that have made it a top seller. The centrepiece remains the painted transmission tunnel, which is inspired by the radical lines of an Italian superbike and hints of the Juke’;s nimble road manners.

Designers have also retained the speed-sensitive sport steering wheel with satellite controls the contoured front seats and the large, easy-to-read circular gauges that require a mere glance from the driver to see all the necessary vehicle information.

The centre cluster has, however, received a rethink and has been upgraded to offer a more premium feel. Drivers familiar with the original Juke will still find the I-CON system at hand, which controls vehicle set-up and performance settings, but will notice the premium treatment of every element that falls to hand, just as Nissan has recently done with the new Qashqai and X-Trail crossovers.

The driver will also notice that the entire range has received a specification upgrade. Even the entry-level Acenta model has Bluetooth phone integration, cruise control with speed-limiting capabilities, Stop/Start technology and full climate control. All models in the range also have vehicle dynamic control (VDC) and 6 airbags, key elements to the Juke’;s 5 star Euro NCAP rating.

However, the upgrade is not only focused on design elements and specifications. In response to customer feedback, Nissan engineers have redesigned the luggage storage area and lowered the space saver spare wheel to increase the luggage space by no less than 40% from 251 litres to 354 litres. This applies to all models, except the 4WD model, which has to house a rear differential and multi-link rear suspension system.

Engines, performance and technology

• 1.2 DIG-T replaces normally aspirated 1.6


• Entire engine range now turbo charged


• I-CON vehicle control system available across range


• 4WD and XTronic transmission available on selected models

In keeping with its position as trendsetter, the Juke will now offer forced induction and direct injection across its entire engine range. The range of engines delivers on the stated promise of offering a car with great drivability and engine responsiveness.

The new 1.2 DIG-T (Direct Injection Gasoline – Turbo) engine, which debuted on the new Qashqai replaces the normally aspirated 1.6 litre petrol engine that powered the entry-level Juke models.

The 1.2 DIG-T engine features a turbo and intercooler and offers 85 kW at 4 500 rpm and 190 Nm of torque in a completely flat band from 2 000 rpm to 4 000 rpm, which means that compared with the engine it replaces, the new 1.2 DIG-T gives the driver near 30% of the engine range back to play with under full power delivery.

The new engine offers the added benefit of improved fuel consumption of 5.6 litres/100 km, a figure made possible by the standard fitment of Stop/Start technology

The second petrol engine is the highly popular 1.6 DIG-T. Equipped with  the same technology as the 1.2 DIG-T, such as an intercooler, Start/Stop technology and direct petrol injection, this engine has no less than 140 kW at 5 600 rpm and 240 Nm in a wide band between 1 600 and 5 200 rpm on tap. This engine propels you to  100 km/h in 8 seconds and uses 6.9 litres of fuel in a combined driving cycle.

The last of the turbo-charged engines is the equally popular 1.5 dCi turbo diesel engine. It is also fitted with an intercooler and has common rail direct injection to offer 260 Nm between 1 750 and 2 500 rpm and 81 kW at 4 000 rpm. The 1.5 dCi Juke reaches 100 km/h in 11.2 seconds and only sips an impressive 4.2 litres of diesel in a combined driving cycle.

The engines are mated to a choice of direct-shifting 6-speed gearbox or Nissan’;s XTronic constantly variable transmission, depending on the model and engine choice. The XTronic gearbox has been upgraded to offer 17% greater ratio speed and 40% less internal friction, which promises to make this transmission even more popular among traffic-weary city dwellers.

The Juke has also retained the option of a 4WD system with Nissan’;s proven torque vectoring system. This system constantly calculates power delivery to all 4 wheels to neutralise understeer and track the Juke on a more neutral path through fast corners. This system is further bolstered by the fitment of a multi-link rear suspension.

The Juke retains the unique driving control system in the Nissan I-CON system, which allows the driver to select and customise driving modes, with pre-set options for Normal, Sport and Eco driving. The 2WD Tekna model is also fitted with the new NissanConnect system, with 5.8″ touch screen and full smart phone integration.

Safety and security

• Juke introduces Nissan Safety Shield


• 6 airbags, VDC standard across the range


• Nissan DataDot, immobiliser and alarm standard

The Juke has carried a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating since its introduction, and Nissan has not compromised on its high level of safety specifications with the upgraded model, which includes front, side and curtain airbags and vehicle dynamic control (VDC) across the whole range. The entire Juke range is also fitted with electronic brake-force distribution, brake-assist and anti-lock braking (ABS).

The Juke is secured with a Nissan immobiliser, an alarm system and the Nissan DataDot identification system, which Nissan pioneered and which has now become a regulated fitment to all new vehicles sold in South Africa.

Adding to the long range of safety features is the Nissan Safety Shield. This system is fitted as part of the NissanConnect system on the 1.6 DIG-T 2WD Tekna model and offers Around View Monitor – a full bird’;s eye view on all sides of the vehicle thanks to 4 integrated cameras fitted in the nose, side mirrors and rear spoiler. Interestingly, the rear camera offers a 180 degree viewing angle and given its position on the luggage door can detect when the lens is dirty and clean itself.

The Safety Shield system is capable of detecting and warning the driver of moving objects around the vehicle whilst manoeuvring the vehicle at parking speeds. Once at cruising speed, the system shifts to provide lane departure and blind spot warning systems.

Standard features – New Juke line-up

“One could say that the Juke has not jumped to a higher vehicle segment, but rather has drawn from a higher segment to offer luxuries not common in the B-segment,” says von Vieregge about the increased specifications on all Juke models.

The Juke range now offers 6 models instead of 7, with the increase in specifications reflecting customer choice. This follows a report from Nissan Global that more than 30% of Juke sales were for highly specified range topping models, an uncommon phenomenon among B-segment vehicles and proof of the unique appeal of the Juke among trendsetters and performance enthusiasts.

The Juke range is available in Acenta, Acenta+, Tekna and Tekna with sunroof and NissanConnect options.

Acenta

The Juke 1.2 DIG-T Acenta offers the following specifications as standard:

• Rear privacy glass


• Front and rear fog lights


• 16″ steel wheels with wheel covers


• Leather clad steering wheel with speed sensitive power assistance


• Front and rear electric windows


• Cruise control


• Nissan Integrated Control System (I-CON) with vehicle control settings


• Bluetooth connectivity


• LED daytime running lights


• Six airbags


• VDC, ABS, EBD


• Isofix baby seat anchoring system


• Remote keyless access and central locking

Acenta+

The Acenta+ grade is available on the 1,2 DIG-T and 1.5 dCi Juke models. It adds the following key features:

• Rain-sensing wipers


• Keyless access with Start/Stop button


• Electronic folding mirrors


• 17″ alloy wheels


• 2-tone suede-like seat trim

Tekna

The 140 kW 1.6 DIG-T Juke is available in Tekna trim, with the following added features:

• Auto headlights


• Chrome tailpipe finisher


• 18″ alloy wheels


• Leather seats with front seat heaters


• 6 speakers

Tekna with Sunroof and NissanConnect

Nissan has added the following specifications on the Tekna grade for the 1.6 DIG-T 2WD model and 1.6 DIG-T XTronic 4WD models:

• Sunroof


• NissanConnect 5.8″ touch screen system with smart phone integration, Google Search, Google Voice Commands and Facebook integration


• Satellite navigation


• Nissan Safety Shield with 4 camera Around View Monitor and Moving Object Detection


• Lane Change Assist


• Blind Spot Warning

Pricing, service plan and warranty information

All Juke models are sold with a 3-year / 90 000 kilometre service plan and a 3-year / 100 000 kilometre mechanical warranty.  Prices include VAT.

1.2 DIG-T Juke Acenta                                                           R254 900

1.2 DIG-T Juke Acenta+                                                         R277 900

1.5 dCi Juke Acenta+                                                            R299 900

1.6 DIG-T Juke Tekna                                                           R325 900

1.6 DIG-T Juke Tekna with Sunroof and NissanConnect                       R354 900

1.6 DIG-T 4WD XTronic Juke Tekna with Sunroof and NissanConnect    R364 900

For more info on buying a vehicle also view:

Vehicle Finance, Car Insurance and Road Safety

Buying and Selling a Vehicle – Informed decisions and the Vehicle Retailer

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Nissan ready for round two with more in-your-face Juke

Vehicle evaluation: Nissan Juke

The Nissan Juke is like Marmite: you either really like it or you loathe it, writes automobile reviewer Tim Barnes-Clay.

The Nissan Juke is definitely is a peculiar automobile.

At 1st glance, it doesn’t appear sturdy, but it is, and it doesn’t give the impression of being a comfortable auto, except it is.

As I create this I still cannot make a decision whether I like the Juke on not.

Lack of space

It’s entertaining to drive – primarily because it pulls away from a standing commence very easily, albeit in an edgy manner.

In contrast, I do not like the lack of load space because, as a parent of 3 tiny youngsters, I want a boot which is bigger than the Juke’s.

The auto is a hotchpotch all round truly.

It has a lumpy, but oddly sensible look and the 2-wheel-drive Tekna 1.2 DIG-T version I tested looked like a wasp with its yellow and black paintjob.

Madcap motor

It is a car I can think about a creative sort liking.

Indeed it could work for somebody with their own enterprise who desires a madcap motor to stand out from the crowd.

The Juke is also a handy vehicle to have about in your totally free time.

For instance, if you are into towing, the 1.2 petrol turbo powered motor I drove will manage to pull up to 1250kg.

4-wheel drive version

And there’s also a 4-wheel drive version offered which will, in wintery or muddy rural surroundings, give a lot of additional traction.

But, what ever the purpose for driving it, you will locate the Juke turns heads.

So what is the nutty Nissan all about?

Well, the idea is that it brings all the advantages of the well-known Qashqai into a much more compact package.

SUV appeal plus sports vehicle charm

It’s what’s recognized as a “Crossover” since the Japanese motor manufacturer has fused the rugged appeal of an SUV with the charm of a sports car.

And there’s no denying the Juke injects some dynamism into the tiny vehicle segment, offering an option to the traditional, humdrum hatchback.

Standard equipment on all models contains LED daytime operating lamps, CD radio with an AUX-In socket, gearshift indicator to promote a much more efficient driving style and tyre pressure monitor.

Behind the wheel, you are greeted with the Nissan Dynamic Manage Method.

-62mph in 8.8 seconds

This is a central command and display module that enables you to alter the drive settings as nicely as control functions such as climate manage.

Moreover, the tech adopts diverse displays, colours and functions depending on the mode selected.

It all adds to the fun of being behind the wheel of this maverick motor.

With 108 horses below the bonnet, the Tekna 1.2 DIG-T manual model will do -62mph in 10.8 seconds and has a best speed of 111mph.

It feels a lot more rapidly than the black and white figures recommend, and you can tell Nissan meant this automobile to have a sporting character.

50.4mpg

At occasions it does feel slightly skittish but that just adds to the entertainment.

On leading of that, the petrol turbo unit officially returns up to 50.4mpg, with CO2 emissions of 129g/km.

The Juke is manufactured alongside the Qashqai and Note at Nissan’s manufacturing facility in Sunderland.

The Nissan Juke Tekna 1.2 DIG-T manual will set you back £17,670 on the road.

Pros & cons

• Quirky √


• Nippy √


• Kit √


• Divisive looks X


• Load space X

Fast information

• Max speed: 111 mph


• -62 mph: 10.8 secs


• Combined mpg: 50.4


• Engine: 1197cc 4 cylinder 16v petrol turbo


• Max. energy (bhp): 113 at 4500 rpm


• Max. torque (lb/ft): 140 at 2000 rpm


• Max. towing weight (braked) 1250 kg


• CO2: 129 g/km


• Cost: £17,670 on the road

Evaluate auto insurance coverage – you could uncover a fantastic deal in minutes Get a automobile insurance quote

Vehicle evaluation: Nissan Juke

Vehicle review: Nissan Juke

The Nissan Juke is like Marmite: you either adore it or you loathe it, writes automobile reviewer Tim Barnes-Clay.

The Nissan Juke is certainly is a peculiar car.

At first glance, it doesn’t appear sturdy, but it is, and it doesn’t give the impression of getting a comfortable car, except it is.

As I create this I still cannot determine whether or not I like the Juke on not.

Lack of space

It’s entertaining to drive – mostly since it pulls away from a standing commence effortlessly, albeit in an edgy manner.

In contrast, I do not like the lack of load space because, as a parent of 3 small youngsters, I require a boot which is bigger than the Juke’s.

The car is a hotchpotch all round actually.

It has a lumpy, but oddly wise look and the 2-wheel-drive Tekna 1.2 DIG-T version I tested looked like a wasp with its yellow and black paintjob.

Madcap motor

It is a vehicle I can imagine a creative sort liking.

Indeed it could work for someone with their own organization who wants a madcap motor to stand out from the crowd.

The Juke is also a handy car to have around in your totally free time.

For instance, if you are into towing, the 1.2 petrol turbo powered motor I drove will manage to pull up to 1250kg.

4-wheel drive version

And there’s also a 4-wheel drive version obtainable which will, in wintery or muddy rural surroundings, give plenty of added traction.

But, whatever the reason for driving it, you will discover the Juke turns heads.

So what is the nutty Nissan all about?

Well, the idea is that it brings all the benefits of the well-liked Qashqai into a much more compact package.

SUV appeal plus sports vehicle charm

It is what’s recognized as a “Crossover” due to the fact the Japanese motor manufacturer has fused the rugged appeal of an SUV with the charm of a sports car.

And there’s no denying the Juke injects some dynamism into the modest car segment, offering an option to the standard, humdrum hatchback.

Common equipment on all models contains LED daytime operating lamps, CD radio with an AUX-In socket, gearshift indicator to market a more efficient driving style and tyre stress monitor.

Behind the wheel, you are greeted with the Nissan Dynamic Manage System.

-62mph in 10.8 seconds

This is a central command and display module that enables you to alter the drive settings as well as control functions such as climate control.

Furthermore, the tech adopts distinct displays, colours and functions based on the mode chosen.

It all adds to the enjoyable of getting behind the wheel of this maverick motor.

With 108 horses beneath the bonnet, the Tekna 1.2 DIG-T manual model will do -62mph in 10.8 seconds and has a best speed of 111mph.

It feels much more quickly than the black and white figures recommend, and you can inform Nissan meant this automobile to have a sporting character.

50.4mpg

At times it does feel slightly skittish but that just adds to the entertainment.

On best of that, the petrol turbo unit officially returns up to 50.4mpg, with CO2 emissions of 129g/km.

The Juke is manufactured alongside the Qashqai and Note at Nissan’s manufacturing facility in Sunderland.

The Nissan Juke Tekna 1.2 DIG-T manual will set you back £17,670 on the road.

Pros & cons

• Quirky √


• Nippy √


• Kit √


• Divisive looks X


• Load space X

Quick details

• Max speed: 111 mph


• -62 mph: 8.8 secs


• Combined mpg: 50.4


• Engine: 1197cc 4 cylinder 16v petrol turbo


• Max. power (bhp): 113 at 4500 rpm


• Max. torque (lb/ft): 140 at 2000 rpm


• Max. towing weight (braked) 1250 kg


• CO2: 129 g/km


• Value: £17,670 on the road

Evaluate auto insurance coverage – you could uncover a excellent deal in minutes Get a auto insurance quote

Vehicle review: Nissan Juke

2014 Nissan Juke NISMO RS Test: Amphibian Butt, Hustling

Instrumented Test

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A faster kind of funky.

On this planet since 2010, the Nissan Juke is the poster child for nonconformist new-wave crossovers. The design looks strangely amphibian, or like something you might encounter while scuba diving a deep reef near the Bahamas. Or a thing to be served with drawn butter and a nice side salad. Polarizing, maybe, but guaranteed to attract attention.

Having successfully defied convention, Nissan’s challenge becomes one of extending the Juke’s appeal—without diluting it. To that end, the company will be making some rather cautious tweaks to the exterior for the 2015 model. But the real appeal-enhancing formula is much simpler and much more traditional: make it go faster.

Fun with a Capital F

As with other carmakers, Nissan has a department—NISMO (for Nissan Motorsports, now in its 30th year)—devoted to just that purpose. Last year the mainstream Nissan product planners handed over the Juke to the NISMO irregulars, with a simple mandate: Pick up the pace. When NISMO was finished, not one but 2 Jukes rolled out of the shops: the Juke NISMO and the Juke NISMO RS. (There is also the very-limited-edition, GT-R–powered Juke-R, but that is of another earth.)

The basic distinguishing characteristic of the NISMO editions is increased output from the 1.6-liter 4-cylinder turbo. The regular Juke generates 188 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, output sufficient to tow a 2011 Juke SL we tested to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds and through the quarter-mile in 15.7 at 91 mph. Those certainly aren’t face-distorting numbers, but the car’s acceleration was enhanced by lively dynamics that we characterized, accurately, as “fun.” And as you’d hope, that characterization acquires a capital F in the RS.

NISMO Power Chart

The output of the NISMO 1.6-liter varies from NISMO to NISMO RS, and in the case of the RS, according to whether the Juke is packing front- or all-wheel drive. In the Juke NISMO, both front- and all-wheel-drive versions are rated at 197 horses and 184 lb-ft. NISMO RS models with AWD pack 211 horsepower and 184 lb-ft, while the front-drive RS steams along with 215 ponies and 210 lb-ft of twist.

For the RS, the limiting factor is transmission choice. Opting for AWD restricts the owner to the Xtronic continuously variable automatic, which has torque-capacity limitations. Front-drive models come exclusively with a 6-speed manual that can handle more muscle. The manual gearbox in our NISMO RS test car suffered from a scratchy 1-2 shift, but once past that, it was exceptionally crisp and precise, allowing us to quickly snick through the gears.

Extracting extra power for the RS entails the use of a freer-flowing exhaust system, tweaks to the ECU, and heftier connecting rods. The NISMO techs have also revised the RS manual transmission’s internal gearing and chosen a slightly shorter final-drive ratio. What all this adds up to is zero-to-60 in 6.7 seconds and the quarter-mile in 15.2 at 95, with a top speed of 135 mph—not bad for a vehicle with the aerodynamic profile of a croaker.

Higher output usually equals lower mpg. But that’s not the case here. Equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, the basic Juke, Juke NISMO, and Juke NISMO RS all receive 25-mpg city and 31-mpg highway EPA ratings. We averaged 22 mpg in enthusiastic driving.

Sure-Footed on This Planet

So, NISMO makes a quicker Juke. But equally entertaining, maybe even more so, is the car’s agility. We praised the reflexes of the standard Juke when it made its debut, and the NISMO massage raises the dynamic ante. Suspension components are firmer in the Juke NISMO, firmer still in the RS, augmented by selective chassis stiffening, a substantial footprint, and sticky performance rubber (225/45-18 Continental ContiSport Contact 5).

The combination of front-wheel drive, a forward weight bias (in this case, 61.5 percent of the car’s mass lies over the front wheels), and a limited-slip diff is a prescription for understeer, which our test track crew listed as “massive.” Nevertheless, the RS pulled an impressive 0.88 g on the skidpad. The car’s body motions are modest for a tallish vehicle, the electrically boosted power steering is quick and precise, and the stiffly bolstered Recaro seats keep front passengers anchored when the g-loads start coming from odd angles. Braking is another strong suit. The NISMO RS brake package is bigger than the regular NISMO’s, and braking performance—161 feet from 70 mph, fade free—is worthy of a sports car.

More performance adds up at the bottom line. No surprise there. Juke pricing starts with the basic front-drive S at $ 19,980, with the better-equipped SV checking in at $ 21,800. The base price for the Juke NISMO is $ 23,890, and the RS starts at $ 26,930. Our test unit included a $ 1200 navigation package plus $ 215 NISMO floor mats for a grand total of $ 28,345.

That’s enough to bolt you into a new Volkswagen GTI or Ford Focus ST. Both are quicker than this quirky Nissan. But neither aforementioned hot hatch is as likely to get you noticed—especially when you show up at the autocross—on this planet, at least.

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PHOTOS (39)

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2014 Nissan Juke NISMO RS Test: Amphibian Butt, Hustling

2014 Nissan Juke NISMO RS Test: Amphibian Butt, Hustling

Instrumented Test

arrow

A faster kind of funky.

On this planet considering that 2010, the Nissan Juke is the poster child for nonconformist new-wave crossovers. The design appears strangely amphibian, or like some thing you might encounter while scuba diving a deep reef near the Bahamas. Or a factor to be served with drawn butter and a nice side salad. Polarizing, perhaps, but guaranteed to attract attention.

Getting effectively defied convention, Nissan’s challenge becomes one of extending the Juke’s appeal—without diluting it. To that end, the firm will be creating some rather cautious tweaks to the exterior for the 2015 model. But the real appeal-enhancing formula is a lot simpler and considerably a lot more standard: make it go quicker.

Entertaining with a Capital F

As with other carmakers, Nissan has a department—NISMO (for Nissan Motorsports, now in its 30th year)—devoted to just that goal. Final year the mainstream Nissan product planners handed more than the Juke to the NISMO irregulars, with a straightforward mandate: Pick up the pace. When NISMO was completed, not a single but 2 Jukes rolled out of the shops: the Juke NISMO and the Juke NISMO RS. (There is also the quite-limited-edition, GT-R–powered Juke-R, but that is of one more earth.)

The basic distinguishing characteristic of the NISMO editions is elevated output from the 1.6-liter 4-cylinder turbo. The normal Juke generates 188 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, output adequate to tow a 2011 Juke SL we tested to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds and by means of the quarter-mile in 15.7 at 91 mph. Those certainly are not face-distorting numbers, but the car’s acceleration was enhanced by lively dynamics that we characterized, accurately, as “fun.” And as you’d hope, that characterization acquires a capital F in the RS.

NISMO Energy Chart

The output of the NISMO 1.6-liter varies from NISMO to NISMO RS, and in the case of the RS, according to no matter whether the Juke is packing front- or all-wheel drive. In the Juke NISMO, each front- and all-wheel-drive versions are rated at 197 horses and 184 lb-ft. NISMO RS models with AWD pack 211 horsepower and 184 lb-ft, although the front-drive RS steams along with 215 ponies and 210 lb-ft of twist.

For the RS, the limiting aspect is transmission selection. Opting for AWD restricts the owner to the Xtronic constantly variable automatic, which has torque-capacity limitations. Front-drive models come exclusively with a 6-speed manual that can deal with a lot more muscle. The manual gearbox in our NISMO RS test automobile suffered from a scratchy 1-2 shift, but as soon as past that, it was exceptionally crisp and precise, allowing us to swiftly snick via the gears.

Extracting extra power for the RS entails the use of a freer-flowing exhaust system, tweaks to the ECU, and heftier connecting rods. The NISMO techs have also revised the RS manual transmission’s internal gearing and chosen a slightly shorter final-drive ratio. What all this adds up to is zero-to-60 in 6.7 seconds and the quarter-mile in 15.2 at 95, with a prime speed of 135 mph—not negative for a car with the aerodynamic profile of a croaker.

Higher output usually equals reduce mpg. But that is not the case here. Equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, the simple Juke, Juke NISMO, and Juke NISMO RS all acquire 25-mpg city and 31-mpg highway EPA ratings. We averaged 22 mpg in enthusiastic driving.

Confident-Footed on This Planet

So, NISMO tends to make a faster Juke. But equally entertaining, possibly even a lot more so, is the car’s agility. We praised the reflexes of the standard Juke when it created its debut, and the NISMO massage raises the dynamic ante. Suspension components are firmer in the Juke NISMO, firmer nevertheless in the RS, augmented by selective chassis stiffening, a substantial footprint, and sticky performance rubber (225/45-18 Continental ContiSport Get in touch with 5).

The combination of front-wheel drive, a forward weight bias (in this case, 61.5 percent of the car’s mass lies over the front wheels), and a restricted-slip diff is a prescription for understeer, which our test track crew listed as “massive.” Nevertheless, the RS pulled an impressive .88 g on the skidpad. The car’s physique motions are modest for a tallish automobile, the electrically boosted energy steering is swift and precise, and the stiffly bolstered Recaro seats keep front passengers anchored when the g-loads begin coming from odd angles. Braking is another powerful suit. The NISMO RS brake package is larger than the regular NISMO’s, and braking performance—161 feet from 70 mph, fade free—is worthy of a sports auto.

Much more functionality adds up at the bottom line. No surprise there. Juke pricing begins with the basic front-drive S at $ 19,980, with the far better-equipped SV checking in at $ 21,800. The base price tag for the Juke NISMO is $ 23,890, and the RS begins at $ 26,930. Our test unit integrated a $ 1200 navigation package plus $ 215 NISMO floor mats for a grand total of $ 28,345.

That is sufficient to bolt you into a new Volkswagen GTI or Ford Concentrate ST. Both are quicker than this quirky Nissan. But neither aforementioned hot hatch is as probably to get you noticed—especially when you show up at the autocross—on this planet, at least.

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Images (39)

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2014 Nissan Juke NISMO RS Test: Amphibian Butt, Hustling

2014 Nissan Juke NISMO RS Test: Amphibian Butt, Hustling

Instrumented Test

arrow

A faster kind of funky.

On this planet since 2010, the Nissan Juke is the poster child for nonconformist new-wave crossovers. The design looks strangely amphibian, or like something you might encounter while scuba diving a deep reef near the Bahamas. Or a thing to be served with drawn butter and a nice side salad. Polarizing, maybe, but guaranteed to attract attention.

Having successfully defied convention, Nissan’s challenge becomes one of extending the Juke’s appeal—without diluting it. To that end, the company will be making some rather cautious tweaks to the exterior for the 2015 model. But the real appeal-enhancing formula is much simpler and much more traditional: make it go faster.

Fun with a Capital F

As with other carmakers, Nissan has a department—NISMO (for Nissan Motorsports, now in its 30th year)—devoted to just that purpose. Last year the mainstream Nissan product planners handed over the Juke to the NISMO irregulars, with a simple mandate: Pick up the pace. When NISMO was finished, not one but 2 Jukes rolled out of the shops: the Juke NISMO and the Juke NISMO RS. (There is also the very-limited-edition, GT-R–powered Juke-R, but that is of another earth.)

The basic distinguishing characteristic of the NISMO editions is increased output from the 1.6-liter 4-cylinder turbo. The regular Juke generates 188 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, output sufficient to tow a 2011 Juke SL we tested to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds and through the quarter-mile in 15.7 at 91 mph. Those certainly aren’t face-distorting numbers, but the car’s acceleration was enhanced by lively dynamics that we characterized, accurately, as “fun.” And as you’d hope, that characterization acquires a capital F in the RS.

NISMO Power Chart

The output of the NISMO 1.6-liter varies from NISMO to NISMO RS, and in the case of the RS, according to whether the Juke is packing front- or all-wheel drive. In the Juke NISMO, both front- and all-wheel-drive versions are rated at 197 horses and 184 lb-ft. NISMO RS models with AWD pack 211 horsepower and 184 lb-ft, while the front-drive RS steams along with 215 ponies and 210 lb-ft of twist.

For the RS, the limiting factor is transmission choice. Opting for AWD restricts the owner to the Xtronic continuously variable automatic, which has torque-capacity limitations. Front-drive models come exclusively with a 6-speed manual that can handle more muscle. The manual gearbox in our NISMO RS test car suffered from a scratchy 1-2 shift, but once past that, it was exceptionally crisp and precise, allowing us to quickly snick through the gears.

Extracting extra power for the RS entails the use of a freer-flowing exhaust system, tweaks to the ECU, and heftier connecting rods. The NISMO techs have also revised the RS manual transmission’s internal gearing and chosen a slightly shorter final-drive ratio. What all this adds up to is zero-to-60 in 6.7 seconds and the quarter-mile in 15.2 at 95, with a top speed of 135 mph—not bad for a vehicle with the aerodynamic profile of a croaker.

Higher output usually equals lower mpg. But that’s not the case here. Equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, the basic Juke, Juke NISMO, and Juke NISMO RS all receive 25-mpg city and 31-mpg highway EPA ratings. We averaged 22 mpg in enthusiastic driving.

Sure-Footed on This Planet

So, NISMO makes a quicker Juke. But equally entertaining, maybe even more so, is the car’s agility. We praised the reflexes of the standard Juke when it made its debut, and the NISMO massage raises the dynamic ante. Suspension components are firmer in the Juke NISMO, firmer still in the RS, augmented by selective chassis stiffening, a substantial footprint, and sticky performance rubber (225/45-18 Continental ContiSport Contact 5).

The combination of front-wheel drive, a forward weight bias (in this case, 61.5 percent of the car’s mass lies over the front wheels), and a limited-slip diff is a prescription for understeer, which our test track crew listed as “massive.” Nevertheless, the RS pulled an impressive 0.88 g on the skidpad. The car’s body motions are modest for a tallish vehicle, the electrically boosted power steering is quick and precise, and the stiffly bolstered Recaro seats keep front passengers anchored when the g-loads start coming from odd angles. Braking is another strong suit. The NISMO RS brake package is bigger than the regular NISMO’s, and braking performance—161 feet from 70 mph, fade free—is worthy of a sports car.

More performance adds up at the bottom line. No surprise there. Juke pricing starts with the basic front-drive S at $ 19,980, with the better-equipped SV checking in at $ 21,800. The base price for the Juke NISMO is $ 23,890, and the RS starts at $ 26,930. Our test unit included a $ 1200 navigation package plus $ 215 NISMO floor mats for a grand total of $ 28,345.

That’s enough to bolt you into a new Volkswagen GTI or Ford Focus ST. Both are quicker than this quirky Nissan. But neither aforementioned hot hatch is as likely to get you noticed—especially when you show up at the autocross—on this planet, at least.

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