When I drove the Nissan Juke for the first time in 2010, I said driving that car felt like walking through a shopping mall dressed like an Indian.
It got so many looks of people passing by. And now, almost three years later, it's time for the hext step. This is the Juke Nismo.
An Indian suit, but now with sport shoes and a sweatband.
This Juke Nismo is a more sporty version of Nissans compact crossover. The already funky looks are brightened up with red side mirrors, impressive bumpers, a fist-sized muffler tip and tasty 18-inch alloys. This is a car with a message.
And that message is that Nismo comes to Europe. Nissan Motorsports is nothing new to people in Japan and the US, and we are next.
The future will bring other Nismo models, this Juke is the first. Where should we place it?
It's a beefed-up version of the 1.6 DIG-T with 200 ps instead of 190, and that small difference made me think of the added value of this car.
I mean, the standard DIG-T is no loser. But then I got in. And then it's easy to spot the added value.
I'm sitting in very good sport seats, gripping a delightful steering wheel with alcantara - this is very very good.
And then, it has this brilliant manual gearbox. Very precise shifting with a crisp feel, short travels. This Juke will have a CVT as an option, but you'll want this one.
Right, gearbox is good, engine is good, but how does it drive? I have to admit, Nissan did a good job as well.
The grip on the steering wheel is good, but it works nicely with the front wheels. A nice progressive steering, a bit light in the middle but it gets more responsive as you turn in. Very nice.
The ride is less good. It's firm, like every Juke, and it needs to be because the car is quite high. But it's doesn't eliminate body roll.
I'll show what I mean in this corner. You feel the suspension is capable, but you feel that this car would have been better with a lower body.
That high centre of gravity has an advantage though, because it gives the Juke a very playful wight balance. Loosen throttle mid-corner and the backside steps out, and that is very enjoyable.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen. This name is important to us car lovers. I'll be honest: before driving this car I wondered why the hell Nissan would bother to develop it.
But then you drive it and you discover that it's a good drive. The Nismo department knows what it does. This is a good car, and it's full of character to complete the story.
+ Very nice drivetrain and steering + Perfect interior changes - Loses traction with full throttle - Too high for good cornering