Nissan Launches Juke NISMO at Tokyo Auto Salon

Jan. 11 – Makuhari, Chiba prefecture – Nissan took the covers off the highly anticipated Juke NISMO Friday, launching the first model in NISMO’s new brand strategy.

Nissan unveils the Nismo Juke at Tokyo Auto Salon 2013

Nissan opted to showcase the special Juke at Tokyo Auto Salon 2013, an event renowned for its enthusiast following, with Japanese dealers set to begin sales next month.
The stylish, more-powerful crossover features a tuned 197 horsepower (200PS), turbo-charged petrol engine, improved styling and aerodynamics, and a special sport suspension.
“We are trying to expand the NISMO brand into road cars, incorporating some motorsports elements, such as aerodynamics, fun to drive and excitement,” said NISMO President Shoichi Miyatani.

NISMO President Shocihi Miyatani

“Juke NISMO is targeting the wider audience of people who are somehow interested in cars, somehow interested in driving cars, somehow interested in performance cars, but not only motorsports fans.”
The duked-up Juke, first shown as a concept at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, is part of big expansion plans for Nissan’s performance arm.
NISMO unveiled the March NISMO Concept at last year’s Tokyo Auto Salon, while this year’s event in Makuhari also showcases a body kit developed for the electric LEAF and a NISMO racecar version of the Fairlady Z two seater.

NISMO Chief Product Specialist Hiroshi Tamura

“The NISMO brand shows Nissan’s innovation and excitement is for everyone. It’s the ultimate essence. That’s the big point, the starting point,” said NISMO Chief Product Specialist Hiroshi Tamura.
The Juke NISMO offers a 37% increase in down-force compared with the stock model, aided by a reshaped front bumper, new side skirts and roof-mounted spoiler.
Its new suspension was specially developed in Europe where the average driving speeds are faster and roads are more irregular than those found in Japan.

The Juke NISMO at Tokyo Auto Salon 2013

Inside, the cabin features suede-trimmed NISMO sports seats with red stitching and customization spanning everything from the steering wheel to the air vents.
“We can make any number of cars that are beautiful, pleasant for people to look at, but when we work with NISMO, that’s not enough,” said Shinji Sasaki, the car’s chief designer.
“There has to be solid functionality behind that. In this Juke NISMO there is functional meaning behind every single design element.”
The Juke NISMO goes on sale in Japan on February 19 with a starting price of 2.85 million yen.