Nismo tweaks for engine and chassis, plus a bold new look for Nissan's crossover hatch off-roader thingy
As you've probably gathered by now, the Nissan DeltaWing 'halve-everything' strategy includes its engine - which is a 1.6-litre turbo petrol. Since this is the motorsport version of the 1.6-litre DIG-T unit available in the Juke (and shortly the next gen Renaultsport Clio), Nissan has chosen Le Mans to unveil the production Nismo version of its dinky crossover.
This is stage one of bringing the Nismo high performance brand to a wider European audience. Sitting on the big Nissan show stand at the end of the Le Mans village, it's pulling in a fair amount of attention - which is especially impressive given it's parked right next to the left-hand drive Juke R (its RHD brother is taking part in the parade later), in among a collection of other Nissans that includes the DeltaWing show car, an LMP2 racer and GT racing versions of the GT-R and 370Z.
Probably the colour scheme helps - pearl white with plenty of red pinstriping, just like the concept - but it sports beefed-up looks and bigger wheels, too; the body kit apparently improves downforce without increasing drag. The exact performance enhancements remain TBC, but it will include Nismo tweaks under the bonnet as well as to the suspension. "Steering modifications" are also promised, and there's a full Nismo interior makeover, including red stitching and chunky sports seats.
The car on the stand appears to be fitted with a CVT gearbox, which is a bit of worry. But then that's what you get with the 190hp, four-wheel drive package that's already in showrooms. Expect at least 200hp from the Nismo, and a dealership debut early in 2013.
No word on the price, but compared with the R it'll obviously be a bargain. The crossover assault on the traditional hot hatch has begun.
The Juke is marmite, but compared to the other boring eurobox designs in its sector it does stand out and that's why people like or dislike it. Better to be talked about than not talked about at all (Auris, 508 etc)
I have been wondering the same, how can something so ugly be so popular (Gerard Depardieu springs to mind)
A better example of that would be the number of modern BMWs on the road. The E9x was a truly frightful looking car, yet they're everywhere.
I suspect the reason is largely the same. At least they (both the BMWs and the Juke) were different.
Is this a hook I see dangling in front of me, ok I will have a bite.
You cannot compare this monstrosity to the E9x. For a start the BMW was not that different from others in the range and is certainly not an "acquired taste" in the same way the Juke appears to be. Granted it may not be the best looking BMW ever but describing it as "truly frightful" is just ridiculous!
You say you suspect the reasons are largely the same, but dont say what you think those reasons are. Perhaps you might care to elaborate!
Is this a hook I see dangling in front of me, ok I will have a bite.
You cannot compare this monstrosity to the E9x. For a start the BMW was not that different from others in the range and is certainly not an "acquired taste" in the same way the Juke appears to be. Granted it may not be the best looking BMW ever but describing it as "truly frightful" is just ridiculous!
You say you suspect the reasons are largely the same, but dont say what you think those reasons are. Perhaps you might care to elaborate!
IMO the E9x was the least odd of the Bangle era; possibly a bit too safe really.
Having two sets of "eyes" on the Juke is disconcerting, I think. But it was a brave design choice by Nissan, and compared to other "lifestyle" crossovers in that market it's certainly a success, suggesting that actually the Juke is appealing to the masses.
It all started with the Murano, and then came the Qashqai, and now we have this. And I quite like it. When you think about it, a nice remap and some Nismo bits and you've got a half decent car. That's exactly what this is about. You can't say Nissan aren't successful when it comes to cross-overs and soft roaders, they clearly are.
At least it's not a Mini Countryman. And if you want something that can convincingly go off-road, pay twice as much and get the Evoque.
Most people are ugly. Most cars are either bland or beautiful. Its takes balls for a car manufacturer to compensate the wrong way and beat its metal with the ugly stick - and then beat it even harder and charge another 2k.
I don't mind the Juke though it just reminds me of Renaults. The Beetle was technically ugly too.
As for the Juke R, it's just a stupid publicity stunt - utterly inane, much though they would love us petrolheads to nudge each other klnowingly as though we were in on a great and hysterical secret. Not that the GTR is a looker anyway...
Willfully ugly!!. I just dont get it. Why pay good money for something so awful to look at and be seen in. And why do they have to get bigger year on year FFS?
You say you suspect the reasons are largely the same, but dont say what you think those reasons are. Perhaps you might care to elaborate!
I thought I did say what I think the reasons are - that the cars don't look the same as everything else on the road (or at least didn't when launched). Both entered market sectors which were traditionally highly unimaginative, in terms of styling; and both were, in conventional terms, thoroughly ugly.
Personally I think the Juke pulls it off better than the 3-series because it has a sort of cartoonishness about it - the 3-series had just enough "normalness" to somehow manage to be both dull and ugly at the same time. Obviously that's just personal opinion, though. They're both poorly proportioned and oddly detailed cars by conventional measures.
I always thought the E92 was a particular shame, because the two-door E46 was quite a handsome car.
Good point about GTR, hadnt thought of that. But the GTR is more powerful that Apollo 11 and commands respect. This one...merely sympathy for a moment of crazed showroom madness....
