NISSAN JUKE GETS FRUGAL DIESEL MOTOR, CVT AUTOMATIC AND AWD

Nissan has been having a fun time selling the Juke small crossover vehicle. So much fun in fact that the little oddball has been selling an average of about 380 units per month since October 2011. One might even say it’s been a class leader, where there isn’t a class.

Now they’ve added more Juke to the basket to help it become more popular in the face of upcoming competition from Ford and Peugeot among others. In addition to the existing models, Nissan has introduced the Juke CVT, which, as the name suggests, uses a CVT automatic transmission instead of the standard 6-speed manual. There’s also a new all-wheel-drive (AWD) model for those who feel they want to feel the Duke in their Juke.

And better still, a new 1.5-litre dCi Acenta+ is now also in the mix. This is very good news to those who found the 141kW petrol a little too eager to visit petrol pumps, like we did. The engine has done its time for sure, this being its 6^th generation incarnation in many different applications, including those of Nissan’s sister brand Renault.

Maximum power of 81kW is applied at 4000rpm, while 260Nm of torque is available from 1500rpm. As such, Nissan claims the Juke diesel is capable of returning 4.2 litres per 100km in 50 ppm clean diesel, with C02 emissions sitting at a mere 109 g/km. The front wheels are pulled forward via a 6-speed manual gearbox.

The three driving modes of Normal, Eco and Sport can be engaged. In Eco mode torque is limited to 220Nm in order to take full advantage of its fuel economy, while the Sport button has that extra 40Nm of dollop for extra wallop. Although it isn’t a sports SUV, Nissan seems confident it will delivery similar driving pleasure to the 141kW version.

Kit is quite comprehensive, even as delivered from the factory. Here we can list niceties like 17-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, keyless entry, rain-sensing wipers, electrically-adjustable mirrors, Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port, cruise control, six cup holders and others. Yes ABS and VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) are also thrown in at the listed price.


Prices
Nissan Juke 1.5 dCi (R263 800)