The second generation of nissan juke is finally revealed, nine years after the first generation's performance—an eternity in automobile years. The first question that arises is precisely, why so long?
Well, we would like to have a definitive answer, but we didn't get more than a few politically correct comments from those responsible, but I believe when they say that it was not easy to hit the right formula for the successor.
Why? Well, just look at Juke. Its design and style remains as divisive today as it was the day it was introduced. However, it was no deterrent to their success — approximately one million Jukes were “set loose” in Europe.
It was a decisive model that established the premises in its segment, just as the Qashqai did in the segment above. It stood out and stands out for its extremely strong identity, which automatically makes the task of replacing it difficult.
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grew in all directions
But they would have to, and we can finally see it. To see the results of their long efforts firsthand, Nissan put us on a plane to Barcelona, Spain, and inside an old warehouse in an old industrial area, in a somewhat secretive atmosphere, there it was, the new Nissan Juke.
First reaction: still looks like a juke , albeit more sophisticated in its appearance. The proportions and some of the elements that marked the first generation are still present, namely the split optics (full LED) or the descending roof line. However, unlike the new Clio, which looks like a shy restyling of its predecessor, the new Nissan Juke has the perception that it is something really new.
The platform is new, the CFM-B, which we saw not only in the aforementioned Clio, but also in the rival “brother”, the new Renault Captur. And like the latter, the new Juke grew, and it was not little, something immediately noticeable when seen live.
At the front, the highlight is the reinterpretation of the split optics, which now flank a much larger "V Motion" grille.
The length is now 4.21 m (plus 75 mm), the width is now 1.8 m (plus 35 mm) and the height to 1.595 m (plus 30 mm). The wheelbase also grew generously compared to the predecessor by 10 cm, up to 2,636 m. The benefit of this increase is, of course, more space on board, a welcome quality to the interior of the new Juke.
Fitted into the rear seat, it is easily noticeable that there is much more space available. The builder announces an additional 58mm of legroom and 11mm in height. The trunk (with double bottom) saw its capacity grow from 354 l to 422 l, worthy of a small familiar and a measly eight liters less than the Qashqai. Promising.
Inside, although new, the feeling of familiarity is great, whether for its design or for the controls known from other Nissans.
Despite the growth in dimensions, the use of the CFM-B allowed the new Juke to be 23 kg lighter than its predecessor (1212 kg announced), which is admirable, allowing you to enjoy more space, without sacrificing performance. Which brings us to the theme of their engines, or rather, engines.
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Only one engine available?
For now, yes. To move the new Nissan Juke will be available only one engine, the same 1.0 DIG-T of 117 hp and 180 Nm which debuted on the Nissan Micra magazine — recall the differences of this powerplant to the 100hp 1.0 IG-T in our dynamic contact.
One engine only, but with a choice of two transmissions: a six-speed manual and a seven-speed automatic (dual clutch). The manual can make the Juke reach 100 km/h in 10.4s and the double clutch takes a little longer, around 11.1s (provisional value). At the moment, data regarding its consumption and emissions have not yet been released.
As has been the norm, personalization promises to be a strong argument in the new Juke.
Will it have more engines? Very likely. From the speech heard during the presentation, a Diesel block is very unlikely to be found under the hood of the Juke. But, sending clay to the wall, a hybrid option like the one Clio will have, doesn't seem out of place.
More connectivity
Technologically, the highlight goes, among others, to the adoption of ProPilot, a set of technologies that allows semi-autonomous driving and introduces new features such as Blind Spot Intervention, which not only warns the driver that a vehicle is in its blind spot, how to correct the Juke's trajectory back to its lane.
In the field of connectivity, in addition to the NissanConnect info-entertainment system, with an 8″ touchscreen as standard in all versions, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the new Nissan Juke can have Wi-Fi on board, in addition to switching to to have as a complement the NissanConnect Services application, for our mobile phone.
This application offers several possibilities for remote control over the vehicle: we can lock/unlock it remotely, check the tire pressure or oil level, and even limit the speed it can reach, in case a mom or dad decides to borrow the your Juke to your child.
Force measurement. What stands out the most? The new and bigger grille "V Motion", or the split optics?
It is also compatible with Google Assistant, which lets you control several functions, including sending the destination where you want to go to the navigation system.
When arrives?
This was a static presentation, meaning there was no opportunity yet to drive the new Nissan Juke. From what we've been told, you'd expect a more grown-up Juke in the way it behaves — does it mean it's going to be less fun? — but on the other hand, there were significant gains in terms of comfort, not only in terms of bearing, but also in terms of acoustic and general refinement — something to be confirmed soon…
The rear optics lost their boomerang shape, despite being graphically present.
The new Nissan Juke brings strong and new arguments to the segment, some strange to what we knew about the Juke, such as the generous offer of space. Will it be enough to return to the leadership of the segment that you essentially helped to establish? We believe so, but for that, from our point of view, a wider range of engines will be needed.
Prices have not yet been released, but orders are expected to open soon, with the first deliveries taking place in November.
Front optics are LED, no matter the level of equipment.