Fresh from its unveiling at the Geneva Auto Show, the Nissan Juke finally made its debut here in the U.S. at this week’s New York Auto Show. Although Nissan has no shortage of SUVs or crossovers in its lineup, the Juke will be a sportier model that promises to deliver a unique level of performance for the compact crossover segment.
Inside and out, the Nissan Juke’s design was intended for an active lifestyle. In fact, its styling is inspired by motorcycles and rally cars. But what’s unique about the Juke is that its styling is not merely a facade. Power will be delivered through a turbocharged 1.6-liter direct injection engine. Final power figures have yet to be released, but Nissan says this engine (it’s first application here in the U.S.) will be rated at “180+ horsepower and 170+ lb-ft of torque.”
Buyers will be able to choose between a six-speed manual transmission or Nissan’s advanced Xtronic CVT automatic with a sport mode. Front wheel drive will be standard, but a torque vectoring AWD system will also be available. This system not only splits torque up to 50:50 between the front and rear wheels, but also can sent torque side-to-side across the rear axle. Ultimately, these features combine to make the Nissan Juke not only fuel-efficient, but surely one of the sportiest and best handing vehicles in its segment.
Nissan will also feature plenty of technology in the Juke which help make it incredibly user-friendly. Such technology includes an all-new system called Integrated Control (I-CON). This controls not only the settings for the automatic climate control system, but also provides a drive mode selector which includes Normal for everyday driving, Sport for a more intense performance feel and Eco for maximum efficiency. With its multiple functions, I-CON serves as a “central command center” of sorts and helps add convenience acknowledges Nissan Birmingham, but what it really does is give drivers maximum options regardless of their driving habits.
“JUKE provides an exceptional level of available technology for its segment and a special character all its own,” said Brian Carolin, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, NNA. “We’re expecting an enthusiastic response from people attending the New York Auto Show and look forward to JUKE going on sale this fall.” George Albrecht from a Boston Infiniti dealer stated that “We’d like to see something similar for the Infiniti line up as well.
While the compact crossover is more crowded than ever, the Nissan Juke easily stands apart. Unlike other competitors, or even other Nissan models such as the Rogue, Murano, or Xterra, the Nissan Juke promises to deliver a level of performance and fun that simply isn’t being offered.
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