2015 Nissan Juke First Look

 

NAPA, CA: The Nissan Juke has always been spunky, but for 2015, it just got funky.

It's safe to say that when the Nissan Juke bowed in 2011, a lot of people didn't know quite what to make of it.

With its low slug headlights with high-set LED running lights, it's, shall be say, unique styling perched up on big wheels made certain it couldn't be confused with anything else on the road.

Well for 2015, that in-your-face Juke has upped the ante with something they call Colour Studio.

Shown during the recent launch of the 2015 Nissan Murano in Napa, CA, it starts with six wild colours - Red, Orange, Black Purple, White, Matte Black and Carbon-Fibre look.

To show how fast things change, the week after I saw the Juke Color Studio in Napa, Nissan Canada added two more colours - Yellow and Blue.

To that are a wide of range of parts including front and rear bumper accents, headlight trim rings, side mirror caps, door handle covers, side door sills, rear roof spoiler, hatch handle finishers, lower hatch accent, interior inserts (tweeters and vents), floor mats, 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and center caps.

It allows a Juke owner can mix and match as they wish with just a few or the complete package.

If someone already owns a Juke, they can also choose what they want and have it retro-fitted.

Owners can install the parts themselves or have a Nissan dealer do with a small charge.

There are 12 different Colour Studio accessories. But some of the parts like the headlight rings are duplicated in Carbon Fibre look, so in reality, there are 22 parts to choose from.

Some of the prices are: rear spoiler, $407.95; 17-inch alloy wheels, $345.00; door handle covers, $139.95; interior inserts, $129.95 or $140.95 in Carbon Fibre look and headlight trim rings, $114.95 or $152.95 in Carbon Fibre look.

On hand at Napa was a Juke in grey with orange wheels, mirrors light surrounds, interior and a honking huge rear spoiler looking outrageous.

Juke for 2015 continues to be offered in SV ($20,498-$23,978) and SL trim levels ($30,178) as well as limited Nismo ($28,978) and Nismo RS models ($28,798-$31,998).

New colours for 2015 include Cosmic blue, Solar Yellow and Super Black

Detail changes for 2015 include enhancements to the front and rear fascia, the combination 'boomerang' headlights and LED signature accents.

On the inside, owners will find push button start, RearView Monitor and NissanConnect with Mobile Apps, including a 5.0-inch colour display, USB connection port for iPod interface and other compatible devices, Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, Streaming audio via Bluetooth, and Hands-free Text Messaging Assistant.



Power remains a turbocharged 1.6-litre direct injection inline four-cylinder engine with 188 hp and 177 lb/ft of torque with a choice of six-speed manual or Xtronic CVT depending on trim level. Premium fuel is recommended.

Fuel ratings are: SV FWD manual, 8.4/6.9/7.7L/100 km city/highway/combined; SV FWD CVT, 8.5/6.9/7.9L/100 km; SL AWD CVT, 8.8/7.5/8.2L/100 km.

Juke AWD model have available torque vectoring which can split the grip up to 50:50 front to rear. It also enables torque to move from side to side across the rear axle which reduces understeer in a corner and makes it feel more stable.

Also optional is Nissan's Integrated Control (I-CON) system with three drive modes starting with Normal which is just that. Sport makes it more sporty and Eco provides the best efficiency by adjusting steering feel, adjusting the throttle and the CVT.

All Jukes have MacPherson strut front suspension. A rear twist beam is used on FWD models with a multi-link system at the rear on the AWD versions.



2015 Nissan Juke at a glance

BODY STYLE: compact sport crossover
DRIVE METHOD: front-engine, front-/all-wheel-drive
ENGINE: 1.6-litre DOHC direct-injected and turbocharged inline four cylinder (188 hp and 177 lb/ft of torque); six-speed manual or CVT
FUEL ECONOMY: (Premium): SV FWD manual, 8.4/6.9/7.7L/100 km city/highway/combined; SV FWD CVT, 8.5/6.9/7.9L/100 km; SL AWD CVT, 8.8/7.5/8.2L/100 km.
CARGO CAPACITY: 297 litres behind second row, 1,017 litres folded
PRICE: SV, $20,498-$23,978; SL, $30,178; Nismo ($28,978); Nismo RS, $28,798-$31,998