Already recognised as the design trend-setter, the new Juke benefits from a series of design enhancements, new engines, new equipment and a wide-ranging personalisation programme.
Among the changes are a new design at the front and rear with greater emphasis on both premium refinement and sporty design cues; a new downsized 1.2-litre turbocharged engine offering greater performance, economy and lower emissions; a revised 1.6-litre DIG-T engine; improved four-wheel drive with Torque Vectoring System; new alloy wheels; advanced equipment including a new audio system, the latest generation NissanConnect driver-vehicle interface, Nissan Safety Shield, Nissan’s Dynamic Control system, plus the option of a new opening glass roof.
Bold design has always set the Juke apart from any rival, offering a mixture of crossover toughness with sporting appeal that has seen it become a design icon.
To radically alter the proportions would undermine the Juke’s unmistakable presence, but designers have still managed to make significant changes to the car’s styling.
At the front, the upper lamps have been redesigned and now incorporate bi-intensity LED daytime running lamps while the headlamps now have Xenon bulbs for better visibility and new lens covers. The grille incorporates the new Nissan brand signature while the front has been toughened with new and more robust trim beneath the bumper.
Door mirrors have been revised to include LED side turn strip repeaters and, where fitted, cameras for the Around View Monitor.
At the rear the bumper has a more aggressive shape to match new revised boomerang tail lamps with LED light guide technology, giving the new Juke a more distinctive appearance at night.
The new colour palette now extends to ten colours and includes three new shades: Sunlight Yellow metallic, Ink Blue metallic and solid Red.
A new range of wheels completes the exterior revisions, with 16-inch steel and alloys available on entry-level Visia models and different styles of 17-inch alloys on Acenta and Tekna variants. A new 18-inch alloy wheel will also be available with coloured inserts available allowing drivers to add their personal touch.
In addition, the extensive new personalisation packs include the opportunity to add drama with brightly coloured inserts which completely change the look and feel of the wheels. Different packs also allow contrasting colours to be applied to the mirror caps, side sills, roof spoiler and door handles.
In the same way that the exterior styling differentiates Juke from anything else on the road, so the interior has a number of distinctive features, including the centre console inspired by a motorbike. And again, changing these features for the sake of it would be counter-productive.
Instead Nissan designers have found ways to make the interior even bolder and more dynamic with different interior themes. In standard cars, the interior theme is a sophisticated grey, giving a technical feel to the car. Add one of the interior personalisation packs and features such as the centre console, door trims and other elements can be coloured red, white, black or even a bright yellow.
Depending on the model, there are two styles of fabric for the seat upholstery – comfort and sport – with leather trim on top versions.
Changes have also been made to the shape of the trunk area in two-wheel drive models to boost luggage space by an impressive 40 per cent, taking the overall capacity to a class-leading 354 litres - unlike rivals, Juke can carry a large and a medium suitcase at the same time, and is also deep and wide enough to carry a chassis-type pushchair.
Versatility is further enhanced with flat folding rear seat, making it easier to load large objects, while the inclusion of a two-stage floor in the luggage area makes the space even more flexible.
Standard equipment on all models includes LED daytime running lamps, CD radio with an AUX-In socket, gear-shift indicator to promote a more efficient driving style and tyre pressure monitor. The Visia 1.5 dCi and 1.6 Pack versions add alloy wheels, manual air conditioning, drive computer and driver seat height adjustment.
Acenta models are enhanced with front fog lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic air conditioning, remote audio controls, Bluetooth connectivity for phone and audio streaming, cruise control and limiter, Nissan Dynamic Control System and chrome interior touches.
Enhances for the new Juke, Nissan Dynamic Control is an advanced driver control system giving the choice of three different driving modes – Normal, Sport or Eco - along with instant driving information and vehicle setting controls.
Tekna models add power folding door mirrors, light and rain sensors, i-Key with Start/Stop and the latest NissanConnect with rear-view parking/reversing camera, Around View Monitor and Safety Shield.
NissanConnect now offers smartphone connectivity with access to a variety of apps ranging from social media platforms to entertainment including internet radio through a large, 5.8in colour touch screen. The latest generation satellite navigation system integrates with Google® to reveal a host of useful information from weather forecasts to the location of fuel stations, hotels, restaurants and many other points of interest.
A send-to-car function also allows drivers to search for their destination at home and send destination instructions to NissanConnect system at the click of a button. The system includes Bluetooth audio streaming and mobile phone integration as well as Aux-in and USB slots.
When not in infotainment mode, the screen doubles as a monitor for the newest version of Nissan’s pioneering Around View Monitor which gives a complete real-time 360 degree ‘helicopter’ view around the car to make manoeuvring as safe and easy as possible. Using the AVM cameras together with sensors, radar and other advanced technology, Juke’s Safety Shield incorporates a number of features engineered to make the car as safe as possible. These include Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Warning and Moving Object Detection, which gives visual and audible warnings to avoid potential collisions.
The final option opens a whole new world to Acenta and Tekna owners, literally. A large open-able glass panel allows not just daylight to flood into the cabin but also fresh air as required. When opened, the panel sits on top of the rear portion of the roof so as not to steal interior headroom. The glass panel measures 964mm wide by 837mm long to cover two thirds of the roof area. This is matched by an opening width of 693mm and an opening length of 301mm to add to the feeling of airiness in the cockpit.
Three engines are available for new Juke, with changes to the two petrol options: one is new and the other extensively revised. The existing and acclaimed 1.5 dCi diesel with 110ps (81kW) continues unchanged.
New Juke will go on sale across Europe in the summer, 2014.
