It might not be as near as special or powerful as the limited run Juke R, but Nissan believes that most buyers looking for something sportier than the regular Juke will be content with the new Nismo-branded model that makes its world premiere in production guise at this week’s 24 Hours of Le Mans in France.
First seen as a concept model at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show, the new Juke Nismo will go on sale in Europe in early 2013, with Japan and the U.S. to follow at a later date.
The Nismo badge brings a host of enhancements to the Juke starting with a tuned-up version of its 1.6-litre direct injection turbocharged petrol engine.
Nissan has not yet disclosed performance figures, but for the record, in regular trim, the 1.6-liter turbocharged unit delivers 188hp (190PS) and 240Nm (177 lb-ft) of peak torque.
It features stiffened suspension settings and new steering modifications for what Nissan describes as a “sportier direct handling and improved traction control”, while the Nismo model will also be available with torque vectoring, which is a technology promising better grip and cornering capacity.
On the outside, the Juke Nismo can be identified by the new aerodynamics kit that bundles a new front bumper with a lip spoiler and LED daytime running lights, wider wings and sill side skirts, a modified front grille, a new rear bumper housing a diffuser and a single exhaust tail pipe, plus a tailgate spoiler and red trim accents and decals.
The sporty crossover rides on newly designed alloy wheels wrapped in lower profile tires.
The Nismo treatment inside includes re-trimmed steering wheel, pedals, gauges, gear knob and door panels plus new sport seats dressed in suede with red-stitching.
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