The Nissan Juke is a subcompact crossover SUV produced by the Japanese manufacturer Nissan since 2010. The production version made its debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show in March, and was introduced to North America at the 2010 New York International Auto Show to be sold for the 2011 model year. The name "juke" means to dance or change directions demonstrating agility.
On 11 February 2009, Nissan announced that the model would go into production at the Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd (NMUK) plant in Washington, UK, during 2010 following its appearance as the Nissan Qazana concept car at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. The Washington plant manufactures for the European market, while Nissan's facility in Oppama, Japan, produces the vehicle for all other countries and is the sole supplier of the all-wheel drive variant. The car was launched in the UK on September 24, 2010.
In Japan, where the car was launched on 9 June 2010, orders totalled 10,943 units in its first month, surpassing Nissan's monthly target of 1,300. By 5 October 2010, Japanese sales had increased to 20,000 while European and US figures also exceeded expectations with orders for 30,000 and 17,500 cars taken for the respective markets.
The Juke is sold in China as the rebadged Infiniti ESQ.
In 2014, at the International Auto Show in Geneva, Nissan unveiled the revised Nissan Juke for 2015 model year, which went on sale in the summer of 2014. On the exterior, the revision is basically limited to LED accent lights in front, while new standard equipment includes a rear-view camera, keyless go and Bluetooth hands-free phone system.
A NISMO version powered by an uprated variant of the standard 1.6L Turbo joined the lineup for the 2013 model year and was followed by a NISMO RS for the 2015 model year.
Design
The Juke was designed at Nissan Design Europe in London and refined at Nissan's Design Centre in Japan. It is based on the Nissan B platform.
Styling
The car's profile is dominated by the prominent wheel arches and the body's high waistline which contrast with the slim side windows, which is a modern interpretation of "coke bottle styling" popular during the 1960s and 1970s. Echoing a style first seen on the Maxima, Nissan's high performance electric coupé concept shown at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show, the glasshouse resembles a crash helmet visor. A coupé-like appearance is achieved by the rear door handles being located near the C-pillars, within the window frame. Locating the rear door handles within the window frame is a Nissan styling tradition, begun with the 1985 Nissan Pathfinder. The sport motif continues inside with the red- or grey-painted centre console bearing similarity to a motorcycle fuel tank.
The front end features a stacked array of lights. Running lamps and indicators are mounted atop the front wings, their lenses visible from inside the cabin as an aid to manoeuvring. Below them, under the lower edges of an expansive, curved grille, the main headlamps are intended to be reminiscent of those fitted to rally cars during the 1960s and 1970s. Where fitted, fog lamps are situated on a third level within the sump guard at the bottom.
Cabin
The Juke features seating for five (two in front, three in back). The rear seats have a 60/40 split and can be folded down independently in order to carry larger objects. The rear cargo area is small but features additional storage beneath the floor (front wheel drive models only).
Dashboard
The steering column instrumentation cluster features a tachometer, speedometer, and a small display between them that displays real-time fuel efficiency, odometer, and trip odometer.
The center portion of the dash contains the radio and the I-CON control (if so equippedâ€"see below). Depending on market and trim level the Juke may be equipped with: iPod or USB connectivity, NissanConnect GPS navigation, rear-view camera, and Bluetooth audio. A somewhat deep glovebox on the passenger side houses an iPod connector (if so equipped).
I-CON
Common to all but base models is Nissan's Integrated Control System, dubbed I-CON: a command module that sits in the lower dashboard, which manages both the climate control and the vehicle's drive mode (Normal, Sport or Eco). Its display and nomenclature change according to the function selected. Among the available display data are fuel efficiency stats, real-time G-force measurements, and turbo boost pressure.
Performance
- Braking performanceÂ
- 97 km/h (60â€"0 mph): 38 m (124 ft)
- AccelerationÂ
- (with MR16DDT engine only)
- 97 km/h (0â€"60 mph): 8.8 s (CVT)
- 400 m (1/4 mile): 15.2 s at 147.9Â km/h (91.9Â mph)
- Top speed: 219.2Â km/h (137Â mph)
- Fuel economyÂ
- (with MR16DDT engine)
- Xtronic CVT: 10.55/12.66Â km/l
- Manual transmission: 10.55/13.5Â km/l (litre)
Models
Juke
The original Juke serves as the base model for the other Juke models. The Juke has different trim designations depending on international markets.
- CanadaÂ
- S level in both manual & automatic CVT transmission. SV level, I-CON system is NOT standard & is available as an option. SL level, I-CON system is standard, Navigation system is available.
- USAÂ
- Three levels were initially available with the MR16DDT engine: S, SV and SL. The base engine is rated at 188 hp (140 kW)5,600 rpm and 177 lb·ft (240 N·m) of torque at 2,000 rpm. The base S model is available only with a CVT transmission and lacks the I-CON display. The SV model adds I-CON, optional 6-speed manual transmission, and moonroof. The SL model adds leather seats, USB connectivity, and a rear-view camera. All-wheel drive with torque vectoring is optional on all trims but cannot be paired with a manual transmission.
- JapanÂ
- Four levels are specified. The RX and RS models are equipped with the HR15DE I4 engine, while the MR16DDT is supplied for the 16GT and 16GT FOUR.
- EuropeÂ
- Five trim levels are indicated for the HR16DE, K9K and MR16DDT engines: Visia, Acenta (also available with Sport and Premium packs),Tekna, Nismo, and Nismo RS.
- New ZealandÂ
- Two trim levels, ST and Ti, are available. Both are front wheel drive and are powered by the HR16DE engine with the sole transmission, the XTRONIC CVT. Some features on the higher spec Ti include 17 inch alloy wheels, Dynamic Control System (DCS) drive modes, intelligent key with push start button and dual front, side and curtain airbags. The 1.6 turbo engine will be released in the coming months.
- IndonesiaÂ
- Juke for Indonesian market comes with two trims : RX and Red, with one engine type: HR15DE I4. Both trims available only with XTRONIC CVT transmission. The Red model, only available on Indonesia, adds roof spoiler, different grill colour and bigger audio display screen. On Februari 2015 Nissan Motor Indonesia added "Revolt" trim to the lineup, while introducing facelift for Indonesian Juke. So the line up consists RX and Revolt trims (Red models was no longer offered) with red or black interior option.
- ChileÂ
- The Juke for sale in Chile is the one made in UK, and the sales started in 2012. Three trim levels are offered: Sense, Advance, Exclusive, with two engines, 1.6 and 1.6 Turbo, with the turbo engine only available in the Exclusive trim level. All of them come with CVT transmission except the Exclusive Turbo, and the AWD option is only offered in the Exclusive.
- Sri LankaÂ
- The Japanese made Juke is sold in Sri Lanka same as the Japanese version Four levels are specified. The RX and RS models are equipped with the HR15DE I4 engine, while the MR16DDT is supplied for the 16GT and 16GT FOUR.
Juke Nismo 2013
New for 2013, the NISMO version differs from the base Juke in styling changes to the bumpers and skirts, interior styling, modified suspension and steering, 18 in (46 cm) wheels, an unspecified "torque vectoring" option, and engine tuning. The engine is rated at 197 hp (147 kW)@6,000 rpm and 184 lb·ft (249 N·m) of torque @ 2,000 rpm. For the American Market there is also a higher-end Nismo RS variant, with upgraded standard equipment (Recaro front seats, carbon fiber). The engine is upgraded to 215 hp (160 kW)@6,300 rpm and 210 lb·ft (285 N·m)@3,600 rpm.
The New York Times review was generally positive, but: "About that styling: I love it, but you might hate it. ... The face is dominated by bug-eye headlamps, and the running lights bulge up above the hood such that they’re in the driver’s line of sight. At night, the effect is of large bio-luminescent slugs lounging atop the front fenders. Admittedly, it’s more appealing than I’m making it sound."
Juke-R
The Juke-R is a limited production run Juke with a Nissan GT-R's VR engine that produces 545Â hp (406Â kW). Nissan has recently announced a total of 23 Juke-Rs will be produced with the 2013 GT-R's running gear and performance stats.
Nissan Juke ACENTA
The Juke ACENTA is the latest production model Juke with a DIG-T 115 2WD petrol Engine with a fuel consumption of 50.4 mpg and a CO2 Emission rating of 129g/km, it has a six-speed manual transmission. Body sizes are: Height 1565mm, Length 4135mm, Body Width 1765mm.
Specs
- [Â ]= with AWD (Â )= with CVT
Infiniti ESQ
Beginning in 2014 the Juke has been sold in China as the Infiniti ESQ. As of 2016, the ESQ is the only Infiniti model not to have a name beginning with the letter Q.
Marketing
In August 2013, Nissan launched a commercial for the Juke, featuring Stormtroopers from the Star Wars series.
Reaction
Reviews regarding the Nissan Juke have mainly been somewhat positive with the vehicle's unconventional styling regarded as a matter of personal taste. Many regard the tight interior dimensions as a negative.
Reception
It was reported that customers of the Juke mainly consisted of young buyers and the elderly, resulting in an average age in the late 40s.
In Europe, it is Nissan's second best-selling car behind the Qashqai. U.S. sales of the Juke are slowing in 2015, but the crossover sold an impressive 38,000 units in 2013 and 2014, and about 36,000 copies in 2011 and 2012.
Awards and recognition
- The Nissan Juke received Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick in 2011.
- A Nissan Juke driven by stunt-driver Terry Grant claimed a Guinness World Record when it was driven around the Goodwood Hill Course on two wheels in 2 minutes 55 seconds.
See also
- List of Nissan vehicles
- Nissan MR engine
References
External links
- Official website
