Description
Nissan pushed the limits of its small-sized crossover Juke and provided the car with a turbocharged gasoline engine that transformed the vehicle into a hi-riser hot hatch.
The Japanese automaker was too bold when it made the Juke, a car that polarized the brand's fans. But all of them had to admit that the Nismo version made for this little crossover was a different kind of vehicle, and most of them were ready to forget the unusual car's look.
Nissan gambled a lot when it designed the Juke with the unusually big headlights mounted on the lower bumper and the turn signals and parking lights placed on top of the front fenders. In the Nismo version, the Juke also came with a different apron at the front, with LED daytime running lights and a splitter. Moreover, the red caps for the door mirrors and the diamond-cut light alloy wheels emphasized the car's sporty character. Finally, at the back, the automaker pushed the design limits harder and placed a roof spoiler on top of the tailgate.
The interior was cramped as on the rest of the range, but in this case, the front occupants enjoyed the high-bolstered bucket seats wrapped in Alcantara and fabric. Still, the instrument cluster featured the same binocular styling with a red tachometer on the left and a speedometer on the right, flanking the TFT display for the onboard computer.
But the main reason why this car was built was found underneath its hood, where Nissan placed a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine. The base version sent all the oomph to the front wheels via a six-speed manual, while an all-wheel drive model was also available, but with a CVT gearbox.
Press Release
2013
The wait is over - Nismo has arrived in Europe with the launch of the first in a new range of road cars: the Nissan Juke Nismo.
With track-derived design, enhanced performance and engaging handling, Nismo's unique motorsport DNA adds a new dimension to the pioneering compact crossover's list of attributes.
Power comes from a modified version of Nissan's acclaimed 1.6-litre direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine. You only need to look to the success of the pioneering Nissan DeltaWing to see the potential of this advanced and efficient engine...
Add a bespoke aerodynamics package and revised chassis design and you have a driving experience which takes Juke thrills to the next level. Two models - front-wheel-drive with a six-speed manual transmission and an all-wheel drive with CVT and 7-speed manual mode - are available, with every Nissan Juke Nismo benefitting from a motorsport-inspired interior packed with innovative technology.
Andy Palmer, Nissan's Executive Vice President, Global Product Planning, commented: "Nismo is about providing innovation and excitement for everyone, and there's no better place to start than with the Juke, our critically acclaimed and highly successful compact crossover. Oozing an attitude that has really struck a chord with buyers across Europe, it was the obvious choice for the Nismo team to showcase its design, engineering and personalisation expertise."
After initially appearing as a concept at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, the Nissan Juke Nismo made its global debut in production form at the Le Mans 24-Hour Race in June 2012. It was seen again at the 2012 Paris Motor Show in September and is on sale now.
The Nissan Juke Nismo is the product of global expertise. Its design and engineering was led by Nissan and Nismo in Japan in partnership with Nissan Design Europe (NDE) in London, UK, and Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE), in Cranfield, UK. Like other Juke models, the Juke Nismo will be built at Nissan's UK manufacturing facility in Sunderland.
Exterior design: motorsport aerodynamics for the road
Far from being purely cosmetic, every modification to the Juke's body has been carried out to enhance a specific element of its aerodynamics. All changes have been influenced by Nismo's motorsport expertise, in particular using lessons learned from the styling and engineering of the Nissan GT-R race car which competes in the GT500 class of the Super GT in Japan.
Compared to the standard Nissan Juke, the most obvious change is to the front, which now features a lower and more aggressive design. The familiar five-circle shape of the base section has been swapped for a horizontal mesh grille. That also means the integrated fog lights have been replaced by thin-strip LED daytime running lights, positioned at the top edge of new small vents to the side of the larger grille.
On 2WD versions these are blanked, but on 4WD models the left-hand side vent allows air into the engine bay to cool the oil pump, and the one on the right is styled to match.
The prominent upper edge of the large lower grille features a red pinstripe, which drops dramatically to curve round the smaller vents and continues all the way to the front wheel arches. This distinctive Nismo cue gives the nose a visual width and presence while emphasising the Nissan Juke Nismo's athletic stance on the road. Above, the three-sided surround to the Nissan badge in the centre of the upper grille - known as the V-strut - is now finished in a darker shade. To the right is a Nismo badge with a red O, stamping Nismo's distinctive motorsport heritage on the Juke for first time.
The red pinstripe continues on the flanks of the car at the base of the doors. The sculpted side skirts have been reworked to enhance aerodynamic performance, getting air flow round the rear wheels and away from the car as quickly and efficiently as possible. To increase the Nissan Juke Nismo's visual bulk, the front wings are also more muscular and are now finished entirely in the body colour to give a truly premium feel. The door mirrors have been coloured red to give a clear and quick indication to the casual observer that this is not a standard Nissan Juke. The B-pillar is now finished in gloss 'piano black', also promoting a more upmarket and sporty image.
At the rear, the bumper is deeper than before and the red pinstripe is also visible on the black sill. Above, a stylish tailgate spoiler is painted in the body colour and houses the high-level brake light. In common with all exterior modifications, this is designed to increase front and rear downforce, so enhancing the Nissan Juke Nismo's dynamic performance and efficiency.
Equally, the stunning new 18-inch light-alloy wheels feature wider tyres to give drivers additional traction during cornering and further boost the car's on-road presence. One inch larger than on the standard Juke, the diamond-cut alloys feature a 10 twin-spoke design and are finished in dark anthracite. Both the 2WD and 4WD versions of the car ride on Continental ContiSport Contact5 225/45/R18 tyres.
The Nissan Juke Nismo is available in three stunning exterior shades - Silver Grey, Pearl White and Metallic Black. All come with red door mirrors and the matching pinstripe around base of car.
However, with personalisation a key part of the Nismo brand DNA, owners can add further options to the specification of their vehicle. Decals are available, featuring a wide roof stripe which stretches from midway down the bonnet over to the rear spoiler. Side stickers, which emphasise the car's powerful waistline from the front doors to the dramatic rear haunches, are also offered as an option. The decals are available in the same three colours as the overall car, allowing owners to select a colour that will contrast with their vehicle's exterior finish.
Interior design: sporty styling focused on the driver
Nismo's core belief is that everything should be focused on the driver. It's about enhancing their experience, pure and simple. So the Nissan Juke Nismo's seats, instrumentation, steering wheel, gear knob, pedals and door trims have all been redesigned to boost driver enjoyment by creating a more performance-oriented environment.
The front seats have been redesigned to offer additional lateral support. Trimmed in suede, they sport vibrant red stitching - picking up the detail introduced by the red bodywork pinstripe. Red is also used as a background to the tachometer and also appears on the steering wheel, which is finished in alcantara and leather. The tactile wheel now includes a marker to indicate 'top dead centre', another feature derived directly from motorsport.
Darkening elements of the cabin just outside of the driver's eye line is another Nismo styling cue and allows the driver to focus entirely on the elements which are most important - the dials, switchgear and controls. Consequently the headlining of the Nissan Juke Nismo is black, and there is a gloss 'piano black' finish around the ventilation and audio controls. There is also new smoked grey trim around the gear selector. In the footwell the standard black rubber pedals have been upgraded to a metallic finish, and there is a Nismo badge visible on the footstop. The same branding has been precision-stitched into the seat squabs.
Powertrain and engineering: revised for improved dynamics
Nismo was born on the racetrack in 1984 through a spirit of innovation and determination which is still at the heart of the performance brand today. It's this DNA which has been injected into the Juke to create the first Nismo road car for Europe.
Under the bonnet of the Nissan Juke Nismo is a reworked version of Nissan's advanced four-cylinder 1.6-litre Direct Injection Gasoline Turbocharged (DIG-T) petrol engine. Cementing the link to Nismo's track activity, the engine features the same technologies as the unit installed in Nissan's revolutionary and experimental DeltaWing race car.
Both power and torque have been increased in comparison to the standard DIG-T variant, but boosts in output don't come at the expense of emissions and efficiency. Power rises from 140kw (190PS) to 147kw (200PS), while torque is boosted from 240Nm to 250Nm.
A version of the vJuke Nismo offering greater performance is currently under development, ready to deliver an even more focussed driving experience with a unique suspension set-up and power increase.
Improved performance is only one element of Nissan Juke Nismo's dynamic appeal. The suspension settings have been completely revised, leading to greater traction and improved body response and roll control, while the car's steering has been reworked for sportier and more direct handling. Thanks to increased resistance at the wheel, more feedback is evident at medium and high speeds.
The Nissan Juke Nismo is 4,165mm long, 30mm more than the standard car. At 1,770mm, it's 5mm wider than its sibling while the height and wheelbase remain unchanged, at 1,565mm and 2,530mm respectively.
Despite all of the modifications, weight gains are negligible. The 2WD car weighs 1,295kg while the 4WD model is 1,441kg - both figures are almost identical to the equivalent version of the standard Juke.
Performance: excitement without compromising efficiency
The 2WD six-speed manual Nissan Juke Nismo gets from 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in 7.8 seconds and has a top speed of 215km/h (134mph). Fuel economy is 6.9 l/100km (40.9mpg) on the Combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 159g/km - identical to the standard, less powerful Juke DIG-T.
The 4WD model with its CVT accelerates from 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in 8.2 seconds and has a top speed of 200km/h (125mph). Fuel economy is 7.4 l/100km (38.1mpg) on the Combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 169g/km.
Torque vectoring: supercar technology in the Juke
In common with standard versions of the Juke 4WD, the all-wheel-drive Nismo variant benefits from Nissan's innovative Torque Vectoring System (TVS). It's a technology that has, until now, only been found on top-of-the-range premium vehicles and its arrival in the Juke was a first for compact car segments.
The 4WD chassis employs a multi-link rear suspension and the latest version of Nissan's ALL-MODE 4x4-i electronic technology. Fitted as standard, the TVS is designed to limit understeer by increasing torque to the outside rear wheel, helping the car follow its intended course. TVS also enhances agility and means the Nissan Juke Nismo provides exceptional ride comfort and handling in spite of its higher ground clearance when compared to other compact cars.
As well splitting torque front to rear - up to a maximum of 50:50 - the TVS means it can also be shifted from side-to-side across the rear axle. Information collected by various sources (measuring wheel speed, steering angle, yaw rate and lateral G-force) is interpreted to anticipate the driver's intention.
TVS actions are relayed to the driver via a real-time graphic display on the instrument panel depicting the torque distribution under all conditions.
Nissan Connect with enhanced functionality
The Nissan Juke Nismo is among the first Nissans to feature an enhanced version of the Nissan Connect infotainment system. Already an enormously successful system, Connect continues to offer an exceptional package of navigation and connectivity in one standard fit, integrated package.
Benefitting from a larger 5.8-inch touch-screen display, the latest system includes Google 'Send to Car' navigation software allowing routes planned at home to be transferred directly to the car. Additional connected services include Google Points of Interest (POI), nearest fuel prices, plus flight and weather information. Enhanced satellite navigation functionality also includes exit view and lane guidance, in addition to the full Bluetooth connectivity and reversing camera systems that Connect users have come to rely on.
NDCS Nissan Dynamic Control System (NDCS)
The Nissan Juke Nismo offers further control through Nissan Dynamic Control System (NDCS). This advanced central command system allows the driver to alter the car's dynamic settings as well as make changes to everyday functions including climate control.
The centrally mounted digital screen changes display, colour and functions depending on the mode selected by the driver. Settings alter throttle maps, steering effort and CVT shift schedules on the 4WD Nissan Juke Nismo.
In the D-Mode Sport setting, the throttle map is retuned to deliver higher engine revs and sharper responses, while in the Eco setting, engine revs are reduced for more gentle progress. In the M-CVT version of the DIG-T engine Juke, the Sport setting even introduces a 'rhythmic' auto up shift that simulates manual changes at the red-line.
Steering effort in Sport is firmer and more responsive, while in Normal it's lighter and more linear. In the Eco setting, the quantity of cold air circulating in the cabin is optimised, reducing the load on the climate control and lowering the system's power consumption.
Real time trip information can also be displayed giving average speed, fuel economy, journey times and engine torque and turbo boost as well as a daily fuel consumption history. The system even incorporates a G-Force indicator.
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2015
The Nissan Nismo legend continues to grow with another new model for Europe. As the flagship of the new Juke range, the Nismo RS has been previewed at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, hot in the wheel-tracks of the flagship Nissan GT-R Nismo.
With more power, a sharper chassis, stronger brakes and extra equipment, the new Nissan Juke Nismo RS builds on the existing and hugely popular Nissan Juke Nismo to create a more extreme version of the top selling compact crossover.
Like every Nismo model, the RS is infused with motorsport inspired design, aerodynamics and engineering to deliver thrilling performance and handling in a road car.
"With Nissan Juke Nismo already accounting for three per cent of all Juke sales in Europe, the enthusiasts' desire for more performance is clearly there. The new Nismo RS version offers just that and cements Nismo's reputation as creators of digital age performance," said Guillaume Cartier, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing for Nissan in Europe
Benefiting from Nismo's extensive global motorsport experience, the Nismo RS's advanced 1.6-litre DIG-T engine has been fine-tuned to boost power to 218PS (160kW) from 200PS (147kW) while torque in two-wheel drive/manual transmission versions is increased from an already healthy 250Nm to 280Nm. To ensure the chassis can successfully transfer the extra torque to the road, 2WD models also benefit from the addition of a mechanical Limited Slip Differential on the driven front wheels.
An LSD is not required in four-wheel drive versions which have Torque Vectoring, Nissan's Xtronic transmission and 250Nm of torque. Xtronic transmission models now feature standard fit steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts to control the eight-speed manual mode.
The performance gains are matched by an improved soundtrack with a retuned exhaust system providing a sportier engine note thanks to a large diameter muffler.
Other improvements linked to the increased engine performance include strategic body strengthening to increase torsional stiffness still further, while the brakes have been enhanced for even better resistance to fade under repeated hard use - front disk size has increased from 296mm to 320mm, while the rear discs are now ventilated. Revised spring and damper settings complete the chassis changes.
The Juke Nismo RS is set apart with red brake callipers and discreet 'RS' badging on the front and rear. Inside, the RS logo appears in the rev counter while a distinctive suede wrap covers the instrument binnacle. The final finishing touch inside is an unusual water print finish on the shift knob/paddle shifters and the central cluster.
Options on the RS version include special Recaro sports "bucket" seats, Xenon headlamps, Nissan's Around View Monitor and Safety Shield which includes Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Warning and Moving Object Detection giving visual and audible warnings to avoid potential collisions.
New Juke Nismo RS is available in a choice of three exterior colours - White Pearl, Black Metallic or Silver Grey - with a single bespoke interior treatment: the predominantly black Nismo cabin.
The Nismo RS's aerodynamic exterior has lower front and rear bumpers, wider wings and sill side skirts, plus a dark chrome V-motion grille - complete with Nissan's new brand signature - and tailgate spoiler to better control airflow. Developed using experience gained on the racetrack, the aerodynamic upgrades reduce front and rear lift without increasing drag.
Nismo exterior design cues include red door mirror caps and a red pinstripe that encircles the bottom of the car. The picture is completed with new LED daytime running lights set within the lower air intake grilles at the front of the car, while eye-catching 18-inch alloy wheels accentuate the new Juke's bold stance.
The Nismo treatment continues inside with a performance-oriented steering wheel, pedals, gauges, gear knob and door trims. Special suede-trimmed Nismo sports seats with red stitching provide extra support and comfort during cornering.
The Nismo RS also benefit from a number of further changes introduced across the entire new Juke range. The most obvious external changes include redesigned upper lamps, revised 'boomerang' tail lamps and door mirrors which incorporate LED side turn strip repeaters.
Despite its performance potential, the Juke Nismo remains highly practical. 2WD versions now benefit from a 40 per cent increase in carrying capacity, for example, thanks to subtle reshaping of the luggage area, while a two-stage floor and fold flat rear seats make the space even more flexible.
"New Juke Nismo RS conforms exactly to the Nismo ethos, providing an instant performance feeling in a premium design inspired by our motorsport activities. The result is engaging, exciting and accessible," said Guillaume Cartier, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing for Nissan in Europe.
