Nissan's Juke shows its pedigree

The Juke combines an SUV stance of 17-inch rims and wide tyres with a top half that resembles a sports car. Photo / Supplied

Nissan is likely to add the intriguing Juke small car to its New Zealand lineup. The "baby brother" to Murano and Qashqai is now being launched in Europe.

It was developed from the Qazana concept car that grabbed attention on the international car show circuit last year. A distinctive side profile and nose design will make it impossible to mistake for any other vehicle.

John Manley, the managing director of Nissan New Zealand, has been hinting for months that the Juke has a place in its local lineup, subject mainly to negotiating competitive pricing.

On the eve of its Euro launch Manley said: "Juke represents a opportunity for us to build on the success of Qashqai and bring something entirely new and original to the market. Juke is under evaluation for New Zealand, although engine options and introduction timing are to be determined."

According to Nissan, Juke was developed to "inject some masculinity and dynamism into the small car market". Developed in Nissan's London and Japanese studios, the design combines what are said to be the best elements of an SUV and sports car.

The lower portion of Juke looks like an SUV, combining 17-inch rims, wide tyres, higher-than-normal ground clearance and a wide stance. The top portion resembles a sports car, with a high waistline and a coupe-style roofline. Rear doors with handles hidden in the frame of the door add to the coupe effect.

Inside, the centre console design has been inspired by a motorcycle fuel tank. Finished in a high-gloss paint, either metallic red or grey, the console is there to "add a sense of fun to the car". Juke includes Nissan Dynamic Control System, a central command and information arrangement that allows the driver to alter the car's dynamic settings and make changes to functions such as climate control.

Based on the Renault-Nissan Alliance B-Platform, reports from Europe suggest the Juke rides and handles well, thanks partly to its reasonably compact dimensions and wide track. Despite the SUV stance and comparatively high hip-point, Juke's roll centres are low enough to reduce body roll during cornering.

Although the basic suspension mirrors that found on other B-segment cars, with MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam at the back, a new cradle-type front subframe has improved lateral stiffness of the assembly for better handling and ride comfort.

Handling is also aided by standard speed-sensitive electric power steering. Electric-assist was widely derided when first introduced, but has been improved in the last few years.

Three engines will be available when sales start in Europe later in the year: one diesel and two 1.6-litre petrol units. It's unlikely that all three will make it to New Zealand.

Top of the range is a new turbocharged petrol engine with direct injection developing 140kW of power and 240Nm of torque.

The second petrol engine is a newly developed version of Nissan's HR family.

The lightweight, low-friction 16-valve unit has a unique dual-injection system allowing finer metering of the fuel sprays for better combustion. It develops 86kW.