Nissan North America today launched the Juke ‘sports cross’ at the New York motor show. The model joins the Murano and Rogue (North American variant of the Qashqai/Dualis crossovers in US showrooms next autumn.
US-specification models will have a 1.6-litre direct injection gasoline turbocharged petrol engine and a torque vectoring all-wheel drive (AWD) system. Two transmissions will be offered – Xtronic CVT with sports mode and a six-speed manual.
“Juke is about to carve out a unique space in the rapidly growing compact crossover/hatchback segment with its combination of striking design, agile handling and driving pleasure and user friendly technology,” said Nissan’s US sales and marketing chief Brian Carolin. “Add in the convenience, versatility and high seating positioning of a traditional compact SUV – and pricing that is expected to start at just under $20,000 – and you’ve got a vehicle unlike any other in its class.”
Available features will range from leather seats and rear view monitor to intelligent key with push button ignition, navigation system with real-time traffic information and power sliding moonroof. Standard safety features will include six air bags, anti-lock braking and vehicle dynamic control.
Two transmissions are offered – Nissan’s advanced Xtronic CVT(TM) (Continuously Variable Transmission) with S-Mode and a 6-speed manual transmission (SV FWD and SL FWD models only).
A new Integrated Control (I-CON) system functions in one setting as a controller for the automatic climate control system, and in the other offers a drive mode selector with three different throttle/transmission (CVT)/steering response settings – Normal for everyday driving, Sport for a more intense performance feel and Eco for maximum efficiency.
I-CON also serves as a central command center and display module, adopting different display colors and functions depending on how it is being used. In Climate mode, the display shows the interior temperature settings while the ‘buttons’ display air flow preferences. In the ‘D-Mode’, the buttons change to the three driving modes and the display shows engine and drive related dials and information.