By: IOL Motoring Staff
Rosslyn, Gauteng - Nissan has given its quirky crossover a fresh dose of what it calls 'Juke-ness' for 2015.
What that means is revised front and rear styling - i.e. new plastic bits - a revised tailgate, bigger rims, more bells and whistles and - last but not least - a new entry-level engine option.
At the front, there's a new grille with a grated design and a bolder Nissan badge while the top light clusters now incorporate daytime running lights in a new boomerang-shaped housing.
Bigger, squared-off side mirrors now have built-in indicator repeaters and, on the Tekna models, wide-angle cameras; these are linked to the rear and nose cameras for all-round visibility.
New taillight clusters match the new headlight design, and a revised rear diffuser and airdam make the tail section look wider and lower, and the reshaped tailgate has a wider number-plate area.
SPECIFICIATION UPGRADE
Apart from the base model, which retains its 16-inch rims, the Acenta versions go up to 17-inch alloys and the Tekna variants to 18-inch rims.
The cabin trim retains the purposeful look of the original, but with a more upmarket centre cluster, much like that of the revised-for-2015 Qashqai and X-Trail - and the whole range has had an specification upgrade.
Even the base model now has Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control, idle stop and auto aircon, while six airbags and vehicle dynamic control become standard across the range - but the big deal, if you'll forgive the pun, is a redesigned cargo bay that moves the space-saver spare downwards to increase luggage capacity from a modest 251 litres to a respectable 354.
All-wheel drive derivatives, however, have had to retain the old boot-floor setup to provide space for the rear differential and multi-link rear suspension.
GO DIRECTLY TO THE ENGINE ROOM.
The erstwhile entry-level naturally-aspirated 1.6-litre petrol four makes way for a direct-injection, intercooled 1.2-litre turbopetrol rated for 88kW at 4500 revs and 190Nm from 2000 - 4000rpmm, as seen in the new Qashqai. Standard-fit idle stop helps reduce claimed fuel consumption to 5.6 litres per 100km.
With the new 1.2-litre entry model the entire Juke range is turbo-powered and direct-injection fed; the second petrol prime mover is the 1.6 DIG-T, also with intercooler and idle stop, delivering a claimed 140kW at 5600 revs and 240Nm from 1600 - 5200rpm - that's good enough for 0-100 in eight seconds, at a cost of 6.9 litres per 100km in the combined cycle.
Then there's the equally familiar 1.5-litre dCi common-rail turbodiesel, with 81kW at 4000 revs and 250Nm from 1750 - 2500rpm. 0-1-00 takes 11.2 seconds and costs 4.2 litres of diesel per 100km.
Each drives via either a six-spec manual box or constantly variable belt-drive transmission; the XTronic CVT has been upgraded to deliver 17 percent greater ratio speed and 40 percent less internal friction.
SAFETY SHIELD
The 1.6 Tekna comes with the NissanConnect system and a 5.8” touch screen, that displays a bird's eye view on all sides thanks to four cameras fitted in the nose, side mirrors and rear spoiler; the rear camera has a 180-degree lens that can detect when it's dirty - and clean itself.
Once up to cruising speed, the system switches over to lane departure and blind spot warnings.
WHAT YOU GET
The Acenta base model now comes with rear privacy glass, front and rear fog lights, leather-clad steering wheel with speed sensitive power steering, front and rear electric windows, cruise control, driver-selectable control settings, Bluetooth connectivity, daytime running lights and remote keyless access and central locking.
The Acenta+ grade - available with 1.2 petrol or 1.5 diesel power - adds rain-sensing wipers, keyless access with Start/Stop button, electronic folding mirrors, 17-inch alloys and two-tone synthetic suede seat trim
The 140kW 1.6 Juke is available in Tekna trim, with auto headlights, chrome tailpipe, 18-inch alloys, leather seats with front-seat heaters and six speakers.
There's also an uprated Tekna with sunroof, NissanConnect 5.8-inch touch screen system with smartphone integration, satnav and four cameras, in either front or all-wheel drive.
WHAT YOU PAY
1.2 DIG-T Acenta - R254 900
1.2 DIG-T Acenta+ - R277 900
1.5 dCi Acenta+ - R299 900
1.6 DIG-T Tekna - R325 900
1.6 DIG-T Tekna with Sunroof and NissanConnect - R354 900
1.6 DIG-T AWD XTronic Tekna with Sunroof and NissanConnect - R364 900
All Jukes come with three-year or 100 000km warranty and a three-year or 45 000km service plan.