First details of the next-generation Nissan Juke are beginning to emerge, and Auto Express can exclusively reveal an all-new version of the compact crossover will arrive in 2018 with a bold new look and the possibility of a hybrid model joining the lineup.
Speaking to Auto Express at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Shiro Nakamura, Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer at Nissan, revealed there is a huge amount of expectation surrounding the new Juke: “It’s not always easy to make the second-generation model as successful as the first,” Nakamura told us, “Qashqai second-generation is very successful, and now we need to have a second generation Juke. But Juke is not like a Qashqai, we must have some surprise, repeating the same thing is not enough. Will we go extreme or a different direction? We have options.”
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Questioned as to whether that new direction would also include a hybrid model, Nakamura replied: “Could be. We are still working on Juke, and it has a lot of potential. We are still working on a couple of scenarios.”
If given the go-ahead the hybrid system used could also be an adaptation of the Series Hybrid powertrain featured in the Gripz concept, which was unveiled at Frankfurt. Senior figures at Nissan revealed the powertrain – which is a form of range extender – is the Japanese manufacturer’s way of making an ‘attractive hybrid’, which ‘gives a completely different fun-to-drive experience’. It is understood the powertrain is under serious consideration for production.
The new Juke will take further inspiration from the Gripz in terms of design, too. Nakamura poured cold water on speculation that the Gripz did in fact preview a new Z car, instead confirming it actually previewed a more sporty direction for future crossovers. Expect the concept’s prominent V-motif grille and angular bodywork to be adapted for the new Juke.
Beneath the surface the Juke will also be one of the first models from Nissan to be based on a new small model architecture expected to be called CMF-B. However, the overall proportions of the Juke will not change as Nakamura explained: “It will be a next-generation platform, but we have to keep it compact. Size is very important, we do not make the car any larger.”
The news follows Nissan announced that the next-generation Juke will continue to be built at the firm’s facility in Sunderland, North-East. Over £100 million has been invested in the site, which also produces the Qashqai, Note and Leaf.
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