Petrol-electric power comes to the class-defining Nissan Juke compact SUV, with CO2 emissions of 118g/km and a 40 per cent boost to efficiency
As a pioneer when it comes to electric cars, Nissan has been slow to electrify its line-up. But it’s now coming on strong, with a new Juke Hybrid model part of the plan to offer a fully electrified range by next year.
Nissan promises that the Juke Hybrid’s petrol-electric powertrain will deliver a 40 per cent reduction in fuel consumption, while the brand claims that up to 80 per cent of urban journeys can be completed on electric power alone.
Drawing on tech from Alliance partner Renault, under the bonnet sits a 1.6-litre petrol engine producing 93bhp and 148Nm of torque. It’s joined by an electric motor supplied by Nissan offering a maximum of 48bhp and 205Nm, with the new hybrid powertrain producing 25 per cent more power than the petrol-only Juke, at 141bhp in total.
Similar to the tech in the Renault Clio, the electric motor is fed by a 1.2kWh liquid-cooled battery, while the two power sources drive a clever “multi-modal” clutchless automatic gearbox.
This is possible thanks to the Renault-sourced 20bhp belt starter/generator; the Juke Hybrid always starts off in electric drive mode and Nissan says there are four ‘ICE’ gears and two ‘EV gears’ with synchronisation of the ratios taken care of by the pair of electric motors.
It gives a claimed EV-like driving experience and boosts efficiency, with the brand claiming provisional figures subject to homologation up to 54mpg and CO2 emissions from 118g/km. A top speed of 34mph on electric power is possible, although Nissan has not yet outlined any further performance stats.
There’s a dedicated EV mode, selectable by a button so drivers can keep the powertrain in its zero emissions configuration when in residential areas, for example. Eco, Normal and Sport modes are also on offer, with each changing the steering weight, throttle response and climate control settings.
The Juke Hybrid also features adjustable regenerative braking, with Sport mode ramping up the retardation offered by the motor to maximise harvesting of electric power, later deploying this for maximum acceleration. An e-Pedal mode offers the strongest brake regeneration, slowing the Juke to a 3mph creep, so full one-pedal driving is not possible, as with other hybrid and plug-in hybrid machines.
To set the Juke Hybrid apart from the rest of the line-up and improve aerodynamics, maximising efficiency, it features a new front grille with Nissan’s latest logo and a black plastic strip where it meets the bonnet, plus a smaller opening and new mesh due to the Hybrid’s lower cooling requirements.
A radiator grille shutter has also been added to blank off this area when cooling is not needed, helping to reduce drag.
New tyre spoilers on the front wheel arches help clean up airflow around the fresh set of 17-inch alloy wheels (Ariya-inspired 19-inch items are also available), while the Juke features ‘Hybrid’ badging on its front doors, an underbody cover for the rear axle to improve aerodynamics and a reprofiled rear spoiler.
Inside, the Juke Hybrid features new instruments, including a dial to show power usage and regenerative charging. There’s also a seven-inch screen in the instrument pack that can show the flow of energy.
Packaging of the car’s hybrid system and battery has reduced boot space compared with the pure-petrol Juke, down 68 litres to 354 litres in the hybrid; with the rear seats folded down there’s up to 1,237 litres of load space on offer. Nissan says knee room in the rear is unchanged over the regular Juke, at 553mm.
Pricing and on-sale information hasn’t yet been revealed by Nissan, but depending on the trim levels offered the Juke Hybrid could start from around £24,500 when it goes on sale in summer this year. Deliveries are expected to commence around the start of Q3 2022.
Keyword: New Nissan Juke Hybrid offers up to 54mpg