First look: Nissan uncovers Juke-R super-crossover

NISSAN has released the first image of its mad new Juke-R in road-ready guise.

Appearing every bit as wild as the concept that stunned the automotive world earlier this month, the street-legal Juke-R was unveiled during a Nissan Dualis press event in Malaga, Spain today.

Although it is not confirmed for production, Nissan says the Juke-R is a “one-off concept to test the public’s reaction to a seriously sporty Juke” and could lead to a high-performance version of its successful mini-SUV if public reaction remains positive.

Just two examples of the Nissan-developed super-Juke – a left-hand and a right-hand drive model – are being built by British motorsport outfit RML, with input from Nissan Technology Centre for Europe (NTC-E).

Testing of what Nissan describes as the world’s fastest, most innovative crossover will commence in December, presumably focussing on how the diminutive five-door copes with the GT-R super-coupe’s 390kW/612Nm 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6.

Instead of the all-wheel drive system in the regular Juke, which has proved a smash hit in Europe with more than 100,000 units sold there in its first year, the Juke-R employs a modified version of the GT-R’s AWD drivetrain, including its six-speed dual-clutch transaxle.

Shown for the first time in the metal, the Juke-R rides on 20-inch forged-alloy wheels beneath wildly flared wheel-arches, more aggressive black-finished front and rear bumpers, and a wild racing-inspired split rear wing.

The Juke’s regular dashboard will be transformed to accommodate the gauges, dials and seven-inch customisable LCD display from the GT-R, while the cabin will be kitted out with a pair of racing seats with five-point harnesses and a roll cage to meet FIA safety requirements.

The garden-variety Juke, which is powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine offering a more sedate 140kW and 240Nm, remains unavailable in Australia, where Nissan Australia continues to study its viability alongside the Dualis and X-Trail compact SUVs, as well as its upcoming Micra hatch-based Almera light sedan and Tiida-replacing Pulsar small hatch.