Nissan just couldn’t wait for the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show on Wednesday to share the news on a fresh concept version of its Juke crossover prepared by its in-house motorsports and performance division, Nismo.
Unlike the extremely radical Juke-R project, which features the inner works of the GT-R sports car including its twin-turbo V6 engine and advanced all-wheel drive system, the Juke Nismo concept is a very realistic study for a down-to-earth sporty variant of the regular model.
“The global sales success of Nissan Juke has proved beyond doubt that customers are looking for something different,” said Andy Palmer, Executive Vice President of Nissan. “The Juke Nismo Concept takes that idea to the next level. It’s energetic, distinctive and highly desirable.”
Nismo’s technical team started out by tuning the Juke’s 1.6-liter direct injection turbo gasoline engine that has been uprated to deliver more power and performance, though Nissan didn’t provide any specific numbers. For the record, in standard JDM trim, the four-cylinder engine produces 190-horses.
They then proceeded with the chasses that was lowered and stiffened using parts of the same kind that will be available from Nismo’s parts catalogue. The 19-inch multispoke alloy wheels with wider tires round out the performance improvements.
No tune is complete without a visual makeover, and Nismo doesn’t disappoint with a new aero kit that bundles a revised front bumper and grille, side skirts, wider fenders, side skirts, a new roof spoiler, different mirrors and a bespoke rear bumper that houses a diffuser and the twin chrome exhaust pipes. The Juke Nismo is finished in a white paint with red highlights.
We won’t see the interior until Wednesday, but Nissan tells us that the Juke Nismo’s cabin has been upgraded with several sporty touches that include the steering wheel, pedals, gauges, shifter knob, door trims and bucket seats.
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