One of Britain’s most popular crossovers just got that bit more tempting - because it’ll soon be available with a sophisticated hybrid powertrain.
With trademark beach buggy styling, a sharp interior, impeccable safety and a generous 422 litre boot, it’s fair to say the Juke is something of a crowd-pleaser.
As of right now it's available with just one engine option - a traditional, 1.0 litre, three cylinder petrol mill that produces 117 PS and returns up to 48 miles to the gallon.
But how can the Juke continue to take to the fight to its nearest rival, the Ford Puma?
As you might already know, the Puma can already be had as a mild-hybrid, and with power of 155 PS to boot.
And so what Nissan has done is risen to the challenge. Instead of a typical mild-hybrid, the new Juke will get what’s called a ‘multi-modal hybrid powertrain’. That ‘multi-modal’ bit in the description is all about the Juke’s Hybrid's clever gearbox.
What it does is to provide ‘optimal use of the propulsive power, whether electric, petrol engine, or both’, says Nissan. There’s no clutch. All vehicle starts are 100% electric, and the 2 EV motors are used in combination to synchronise the gears, ‘delivering a smooth, connected and responsive acceleration’.
It’s a gearbox that responds to your input and does some quick calculations to deliver the best shift spots but also has battery regeneration in mind.
In first gear, it’s ‘pure electric’, while Nissan says that in urban settings it’ll work as an EV for 80 per cent of the time.
Power itself comes from both a petrol engine - producing 94hp and 148Nm of torque - and an additional electric motor which adds another 49hp and 205Nm of torque.
A Nissan spokesperson adds:
“The net result is a powertrain providing 25% more power than the current petrol engine option, with a fuel consumption reduction of up to 40% in urban cycle, and up to 20% combined.”
It means fuel consumption jumps up to 54 mpg while CO2 decreases to 118 g/km.
As with the LEAF, the Juke Hybrid will be equipped with Nissan’s ‘e-Pedal’ step system, which, when activated, allows the progress of the car to be controlled using the accelerator pedal alone, which should take some of the stress out of those morning commutes.
Meanwhile there are also tweaks to both the exterior and interior.
There are small alterations to the front grille to optimise aero efficiency, as well as modifications to the bodywork below the bumper to improve airflow.
The rear spoiler which is mounted above the rear window has been re-profiled for cleaner airflow behind the car. And in front of the front wheels, the tyre spoilers have been reshaped and repositioned to clean the airflow, while the rear axle has gained a cover which smooths the airflow under the car.
You can also have 19 inch aero wheels pilfered from the Nissan Ariya EV should you like them.
Inside the cabin, there’s a new 7 inch ‘combimeter’ screen showing whether or not your consuming energy or recuperating it through braking,
And while the boot has shrunk slightly to make room for the battery, you still get a decent 354 litres, which is still plenty more than a Ford Fiesta.
Arnaud Charpentier, Region Vice President, Product Strategy and Pricing at Nissan, adds:
“The introduction of the new JUKE Hybrid this summer will be another key addition to Nissan’s electrified range.”
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