Nissan uncovers all-new, second-generation Juke

NISSAN has ripped the covers off its all-new Juke small SUV, which ushers in a new turbocharged powertrain, updated styling and new technology ahead of a release in Europe starting from the end of November.

While it is not yet confirmed for release in Australia, Nissan Australia has said the Juke is a model the company is very interested in, suggesting a likely debut sometime in 2020.

The second-generation model replaces the original which first went on sale locally in 2013 after a global debut in 2010, and sees the introduction of some major changes to design and technology.

Only one powertrain has been detailed for the Juke, namely a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine tuned to produce 86kW at 5250rpm and 180Nm at 1750rpm, up to 200Nm with the engine’s Over Torque function.

Two transmission options are available, including a six-speed manual and a seven-speed dual-clutch auto with paddle-shifters and a three-stage drive mode selector.

Completing the zero-to-100km/h sprint takes a leisurely 11.1 seconds in the dual-clutch, down to 10.4s for the manual, with top speed pegged at 180km/h.

The outputs of the new three-pot engine almost match those of the outgoing entry-level ST, whose twin-turbo 1.2-litre four-cylinder unit produced 85kW/190Nm, however they can’t match the 140kW/240Nm produced by the top-spec Ti-S and its 1.6-litre twin-turbo unit.

Nissan has not yet detailed whether more powertrain options will be on the way.

Riding on a more rigid platform with the use of high-strength steel, the new Juke rides on MacPherson-strut front suspension with a torsion-beam set-up at the rear.

Styling has been overhauled with a more prominent iteration of Nissan’s V-Motion grille complemented by the new, thin LED headlights and an aggressive front bumper.

A sloping roofline leads to an angular rear end with sharply styled tail-lights and a roof spoiler.

Wheel options range from 16-inch steel hoops up to 19-inch alloys, while 11 exterior colour options are available, including the exclusive Fuji Sunset.

An N-Design exterior package is also available for more extensive customisation.

The new Juke has grown externally over its predecessor, measuring 4210mm long, 1595mm tall, 1800mm wide and with a 2636mm wheelbase, while vehicle weight has been reduced by 23kg to 1212kg.

As a result of the increased dimensions, interior space has also expanded, with rear-seat knee room up 58mm, rear headroom increased by 11mm and 20 per cent more luggage space, with 422 litres on offer.

The Juke’s redesigned interior is highlighted by the 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone mirroring, TomTom sat-nav and live traffic updates, and in-car WiFi.

Owners can also use the NissanConnect Services app for functions like checking the door-lock status of the vehicle as well as tyre pressure and engine oil levels.

A 4.2-inch TFT instrument cluster screen is available on entry-level versions, while a 7.0-inch colour screen can be had on higher-spec versions.

Soft-touch materials are included on the dashboard, door trim and footwells, while the monoform bolstered seats can be optionally trimmed in Alcantara or leather.

Audiophiles can optionally make use of an eight-speaker Bose sound system, with two speakers integrated into the front-seat headrests.

Nissan has included a range of active safety technologies on the Juke, which includes autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, high-beam assist, traffic sign recognition and hill-start assist.

Other safety features available on high-spec versions include adaptive cruise control, surround-view cameras, driver attention alert, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

Nissan Australia can be expected to announce whether or not it will bring the Juke Down Under in the coming months.