Nissan's new Juke Nismo, an SUV, has entered production at the company's Sunderland factory.
The manufacturing teams have integrated the new Juke Nismo model into the existing production line after modifications at the plant for production of the front and rear bumpers.
The Juke Nismo features a more aerodynamic body kit, driver-focused interior upgrades and a more powerful turbocharged engine. Stiffer suspension and modified steering creates sportier handling and improved traction.
Nissan has lowered the front and rear bumpers, has designed wider wings and sill side skirts, and modified the grille and tailgate spoiler to improve airflow.
These upgrades reduce front and rear lift without increasing drag, combining with new 18-inch alloy wheels shod in wider tyres.
Since its launch in 2010, more than 330,000 Jukes have been built at the Sunderland factory, where Nissan also manufactures the Note, Qashqai and Qashqai+2, and sold throughout Europe.
Around 80 per cent of production is exported, mainly to mainland Europe, and the plant set a new production record despite the slump in the market, making 510,000 cars in 2012.
Darryl Scriven, lead designer for Nissan Europe, said early input on the design of the new Juke came from Nissan’s studio in Paddington, London. “It was really important to make something that looked stronger but wasn’t more complicated,” he said.
“Nismo is not about adding shape and surfaces for no reason, it’s about genuine aerodynamic and dynamic improvement. So the design has to add something, and that was a challenge, but we have a front end that’s dramatic and bold, but also distinctive.”
