JUKE-R: Paving the Way for the JUKE NISMO

CHICAGO - Extreme. That's the only way to describe the model that re-wrote the rulebook on so many aspects of the compact crossover. Proving the performance credentials of the Nissan JUKE once and for all, the JUKE-R is a success story like no other in Nissan's recent history. Initially intended to be a one-off concept car, reaction was unprecedented from the moment the covers first came off.

Interest from potential customers turned quickly into genuine demand and a limited production run of cars was given the green light. JUKE-R is the ultimate JUKE, a wild and ultra-exclusive performance-oriented crossover for hardcore supercar enthusiasts. With a price tag starting from $665,000 (€500,000), the JUKE-R is the ultimate halo model.

The JUKE-R story began in January 2012 in Dubai when it made its debut as a concept. With the modified underpinnings of a Nissan GT-R under a muscular, re-sculpted JUKE body shell, the car was completely unique. A YouTube sensation, footage of the car in action has to date been viewed more than five million times.

Darren Cox, Nissan's Director, Global Motorsports, explained: "People loved the JUKE-R in Dubai – we were receiving offers for the original concept on the street. We couldn't disappoint such dedicated fans, so with three genuine offers on the table we made the commitment to build a limited run of JUKE-Rs."

Work then began to transform the concept into a road car. Built by UK-based motorsports outfit RML with advice from Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE), the JUKE-R uses the GT-R supercar's drivetrain and suspension along with a FIA-specification roll cage.

Thanks to the expertise of NTCE, the production version is more powerful than the concept, producing 545 horsepower from its 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 engine.

Thrilling performance is guaranteed, with 0-60 mph estimated to take only 3.0 seconds and a maximum speed of 170 mph.

In addition to these technical enhancements, JUKE-R #001 also received a new look thanks to input from the experts at Nissan Design Europe (NDE) in London. Digital Team Manager Darryl Scriven explained: "The JUKE-R's bumpers and side sills were redesigned, which is normally a very long process using full size models in clay. However, we managed to condense the development time using full-size viewing on our new 3D-ready projector and power wall, maintaining a fully digital process while providing a true supercar quality finish."

Design refinements include more definition to the front bumper, and new carbon trim on the front and rear cooling vents and the rear aero diffuser. The result is a car with pure performance DNA.

Every Nissan JUKE-R is being built to order and the exact price will depend on the specification requested by each customer. The first cars have now been delivered to customers. It is not available for use in the United States.

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