Nissan has unleashed its sportiest Juke ever – the Juke NISMO RS – with prices starting from £21, 995.
The Japanese car makers say the new RS is an even more extreme and focused version of their extremely popular compact crossover.
So what’s different about this latest variant?
2WD models benefit from the addition of a mechanical Limited Slip Differential (LSD) on FWD models, while four-wheel drive models feature Nissan’s advanced Torque Vectoring System as standard, along with Nissan’s Xtronic transmission, 250Nm of torque and standard-fit steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts.
A choice of a six-speed manual or Paddle-shift Xtronic transmission is available.
Other options on the RS version include sporty Recaro seats and a Safety Pack that includes the following items: Xenon headlamps, Nissan’s Around View Monitor and Safety Shield, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Warning and Moving Object Detection giving visual and audible warnings to avoid potential collisions.
The new Juke NISMO RS is available in a choice of three exterior colours – Storm White, Pearl Black and Blade Silver – with a single bespoke interior treatment.
The power plant in the new NISMO RS is 1.6-litre DIG-T engine that develops 218PS (160kW) and a torque figure of 280Nm (in two-wheel drive/manual transmission versions).
Other improvements linked to the increased engine performance include; strategic body strengthening to increase torsional stiffness further and a more powerful braking system that features larger discs than the standard NISMO model. And to complete the package of enhancements are uprated springs and dampers.
Nissan are keen to point out the fact they haven’t sacrificed practicality for performance, with 2WD versions now benefitting from a 40 per cent increase in carrying capacity – thanks to subtle reshaping of the luggage area – while a two-stage floor and fold flat rear seats make the space even more flexible.