Nissan has officially introduced the 2013 NissanJuke NISMO at the Chicago Auto Show. The car is the fourth model in the popular Nissan JUKE line-up and features a race-inspired exterior, NISMO tuned suspension, steering and transmission which enhances driving dynamics. The 2013 Nissan Juke NISMO comes in either front-wheel or rear-wheel drive formats.

Nissan Juke NISMO ups the stakes

Engine Capability

The Nissan Juke NISMO is available in the form of a reworked version of Nissan’s advanced 4-inline cylinder 1.6-litre DOHC aluminium-alloy Direct Injection Gasoline (DIG) turbocharged engine. Power output is rated at 147kW with a maximum torque figure of 249Nm.

The front-wheel drive version is equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission while the all-wheel drive version has a sport-tuned Nissan advanced Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with manual mode.

Exterior Styling Features

Compared to the standard Nissan Juke, the NISMO version features a new front fascia and grille which have been modified to optimise airflow. The fog lights have been replaced with thin-strip LED accent lights. The upper edge of the larger lower grille features a red pinstripe and the V-strut grille is finished in a darker shade. The wheel arches are more muscular and are finished in body colour while the door mirrors are painted in red.

The Nissan Juke NISMO rides on 18-inch lightweight aluminium-alloy wheels with a 10 twin-spoke design and finished in dark anthracite. The Juke NISMO comes in three exterior colours including Sapphire Black, Brilliant Silver and Pearl White.

Interior Styling Features

The seats are trimmed in suede with red stitching and have been redesigned to offer additional lateral support. The steering wheel is finished Alcantara and leather with red stitching and includes a red marker to indicate ‘top dead centre’ which is derived from racing.

The Nissan Juke NISMO is also offered with a Nissan Navigation System with a 5 inch colour touchscreen display and NavTraffic capability, a Rockford Fosgate ecoPUNCH audio system, USB interface and a Rear-View Monitor.

Safety Features

The Juke NISMO comes equipped with the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage, dual-threshold front air bags and seat belt and occupant classification sensors, roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags for front and rear outboard occupant head protection, seat-mounted driver and front passenger side impact supplemental airbags and front seat Active Head Restraints.

Other safety equipment includes Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children system (LATCH), Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System, Vehicle Security System (VSS), Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and Traction Control System (TCS).

The Nissan Juke NISMO will not be available in South Africa.