Thursday 13th December 2012

'Performance' crossovers gain more ground

Mini and Nissan both add go-faster versions of their tall hatchback-y SUV-y sort of things

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PHers of a nervous disposition look away now - what we have here are two new additions to the sporty crossover genre, neither of which is likely to win any beauty contests. You've got to wonder too, given that the typical entry to this market is little more than a glorified hatchback with a raised centre of gravity. Garnish with chunky plastic bits to give the unrealistic impression it can handle Snowdonia on a grizzly day. Serve with a lingering bouquet of cynicism. Et voila, you've created your very own crossover.

218hp and 4wd: enough to make you want one?

Despite all this, both Mini and Nissan reckon theirs might just have what it takes to pass as hot hatches. Mini has just announced that the Paceman, its tall three-door hatch (or Sports Activity Coupe, in Mini-speak) will gain a John Cooper Works edition. It'll join the JCW Countryman - its five-door equivalent - in a two-pronged attempt to bring a bit of performance car cred to the crossover genre. Like its sibling, the JCW Paceman will be fitted with a 218hp 1.6-litre that'll feature a twin-scroll turbo, direct injection and variable valve timing. I'll also get Mini's ALL4 four-wheel-drive system as standard and a six-speed manual gearbox. So, assuming Mini manages to work its usual magic on the chassis and steering, it has the potential to be rather good. If you can live with the slightly wonky styling, of course.

Well, it is different, at least.

Well, it is different, at least. While the bods at Mini have been busy giving the Paceman some more pace, Nissan has announced pricing for its new Juke Nismo. The Juke is ... well, let's be kind here and call its styling 'a bit Marmite'. The Nismo version certainly hasn't softened up any of the base car's quirkiness, either, with a GT-R-esque front bumper and a socking great faux diffuser at the rear. Like the Paceman, the Juke Nismo comes with a 1.6-litre petrol turbo, here offering 200hp, but unlike the Paceman, you won't be able to buy it as a four-wheel drive manual. Instead, somewhat disappointingly, you can opt for a two-wheel drive manual or a four-wheel drive with a CVT 'box. Oh. Well, at least it'll be quite racy inside, with lashings of suede and Alcantara and special Nismo sports seats. And at £19,995, it won't break the bank. Mind you, with the Focus ST giving you 50hp more for just £2,000 extra, it's not exactly a bargain, either

Hark, is that the sound of knives being sharpened?

 

 

 

[zebedee]

"218hp and 4wd. Enough to make you want one?"

God no. My eyes still work.

[Loplop]

zebedee said:

"218hp and 4wd. Enough to make you want one?"

God no. My eyes still work.

No one ever said:

Really? I think they're quite good looking!

[tinkertaylor]

i'm in the minority here who likes the Paceman...looking forward to seeing the JCW version...! Hopefully they remove the bits of chrome tat from it and make it look a bit meaner than the one in the pic though

[Tegis]

Wonder when mini will start to build something Discovery sized and very ugly if they continue on this path.

[TaylotS2K]

Hideously ugly things.

[nick-elise]

Who actually buys these cars? They look like they hit every branch...

[Paraicj]

If someone gave me a 200hp manual Juke I'd probably drive it. I wouldn't pay £20k for one, but it would have to be worth a go!

[captain jack]

I was made to have a Juke (a non turbo 1.6 petrol and then a 1.5 diesel) as a company car - it was dreadfull. It wouldn't matter what was done to make it go better, it looked ghastly (was also very impractical). The Mini looks marginally better but not much better.

[RichTBiscuit]

Pointless, pointless cars..

[Devil2575]

fking horrible looking cars that scream "look at me".

[Hellbound]

I actually don't mind the Juke. Car & Driver have a nice video on the Juke R;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cu_usjjvg-o&fea...

I know it's completely different, but I do like that chunkyness, it's absolutely bonkers.

There's also going to be a more powerful version called the 'RS' in 12 months (Nismo RS?). At least that's what someone from Nissan said at the Paris Motorshow.

Really hope the RS ends up being a 250hp+ manual AWD version.

[300bhp/ton]

RichTBiscuit said:

Pointless, pointless cars..

Aren't they the complete opposite of this, as they are a jack of all trades, making them hugely usable to a wide target audience?

[rudecherub]

300bhp/ton said:

RichTBiscuit said:

Pointless, pointless cars..

Aren't they the complete opposite of this, as they are a jack of all trades, making them hugely usable to a wide target audience?

I like the idea of a small all wheel drive car. I just wish it was rear wheel drive biased.

Small enough to overtake on b-roads, large enough to be useful.

[Hellbound]

Hellbound said:

I actually don't mind the Juke. Car & Driver have a nice video on the Juke R;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cu_usjjvg-o&fea...

I know it's completely different, but I do like that chunkyness, it's absolutely bonkers.

There's also going to be a more powerful version called the 'RS' in 12 months (Nismo RS?). At least that's what someone from Nissan said at the Paris Motorshow.

Really hope the RS ends up being a 250hp+ manual AWD version.

Ah, here it is;

http://youtu.be/Xg20ASy1i1c?t=1m15s

[KevinOctiScout]

rudecherub said:

I like the idea of a small all wheel drive car. I just wish it was rear wheel drive biased.

Small enough to overtake on b-roads, large enough to be useful.

That would be the Audi A3 or A4 then.

[300bhp/ton]

KevinOctiScout said:

rudecherub said:

I like the idea of a small all wheel drive car. I just wish it was rear wheel drive biased.

Small enough to overtake on b-roads, large enough to be useful.

That would be the Audi A3 or A4 then.

A3 is Haldex and fwd biased. A4 uses a proper Torsen AWD system, sadly the engine is mounted way out in front of the front axle, so understeer is still the name of the game.

[Hellbound]

300bhp/ton said:

A3 is Haldex and fwd biased. A4 uses a proper Torsen AWD system, sadly the engine is mounted way out in front of the front axle, so understeer is still the name of the game.

The Audis also lack the higher driving position which is great in a city, the A4 is considerably larger (and so probably is the A3 5 door too) and they aren't as cheap overall.

[Ozzie Osmond]

300bhp/ton said:

RichTBiscuit said:

Pointless, pointless cars..

Aren't they the complete opposite of this, as they are a jack of all trades, making them hugely usable to a wide target audience?

Might as well put chrome wheels, twin stripes and a sport badge on a Transit.

Oh, wait a minute....

[Paraicj]

And neither gives you 200bhp for £20k.

[The Noise]

tinkertaylor said:

i'm in the minority here who likes the Paceman...looking forward to seeing the JCW version...! Hopefully they remove the bits of chrome tat from it and make it look a bit meaner than the one in the pic though

I think you'll find that is the JCW version in the photo...

And if you are in the minority, I am with the majority... each to their own though!