Nissan Juke Nismo RS revealed at LA Motor Show
212bhp Nissan Juke Nismo RS unveiled in Los Angeles. Tipped for early 2014 release date
The Nissan Juke Nismo RS has been introduced at the LA Motor Show, becoming a new flagship model for Nissan’s compact crossover range.
The RS uses the same 1.6-litre turbo as the standard Juke Nismo but with power boosted from 197bhp to 212bhp thanks to a tweaked ECU and updates to the exhaust. There’s no official 0-62mph time just yet but expect it to be around 7.5 seconds – down from 7.8 seconds in the Nismo.
There’s a four-wheel-drive version of the RS, too, only available with a CVT gearbox which – in the Nismo – tends to sap the performance a little. A much better choice is the six-speed manual gearbox, which has even been improved in the RS.
Nissan has also added a limited-slip differential to the manual model to help improve cornering, while all RS models get tweaks to the suspension and the steering. What’s more there’s also a bit of extra stiffening in the body and some improved brakes to rein in the performance.
The interior features some lightweight Recaro bucket seats as an option, to give owners the full racing driver experience. The seats are part Alcantara and the steering wheel is finished in the same material. The dials are finished with subtle RS badging.
Meanwhile the exterior features a new more aggressive bodykit designed to improve aerodynamics, while the LA show car was finished with a series of garish decals. As with the standard Nismo, the RS is available in black, silver or white, with each featuring contrasting highlights in the grille and wing-mirrors.
There’s no specific UK price just yet but US Nissan representatives were predicting an increase of about 10 per cent over the Nismo. That means you can expect a starting price of around £22,000. A release date of early 2014 is expected.
