Does the Toyota Yaris Cross finally have competitors? 2022 Nissan Juke Hybrid Revealed as Economical, Stylish Lightweight SUV
The Nissan Juke Hybrid will launch internationally later this year, but its Australian debut has yet to be confirmed.
Nissan has introduced a hybrid version of its Juke small SUV for overseas markets, though its inclusion in the brand's Australian lineup is unclear.
Unlike its main competitor, the Toyota Yaris Cross, the Juke Hybrid combines a 1.6-liter gasoline engine with an electric motor and a 104kW high-voltage starter/generator.
The front-wheel-drive hybrid variant is 20 kW more powerful than the standard car's 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine.
However, torque figures for the hybrid have yet to be revealed, meaning it's still unclear if it surpasses the current car's 180Nm output.
As a member of the automotive alliance, Nissan borrowed engine production from its partners, while the starter/alternator, inverter, 1.2 kWh water-cooled battery and gearbox were sourced from Renault.
Speaking of which, the Juke Hybrid features an “advanced low friction multi-modal transmission” that replaces traditional synchronizer rings with dog clutches.
Nissan advertises four gears for the combustion engine and two gears for the electric motor, with the Juke Hybrid starting up in EV mode every time and being able to hit 55 km/h without any exhaust emissions.
"The transmission is controlled by an advanced algorithm that manages shift points, battery regeneration, and an advanced series-parallel architecture," Nissan said in a statement.
“The powertrain can seamlessly transition through the various possible types of hybridization (series, parallel, series-parallel) according to acceleration and power requirements without any driver intervention.”
Of course, features such as regenerative braking and Nissan's single-pedal e-Pedal driving system are included for maximum energy recovery, resulting in an average fuel consumption of 4.4 liters per 100 km - an improvement over the Juke's current 5.8 l / 100 km.
On the outside, only die-hard Juke fans will be able to tell the difference between the hybrid and petrol models, but changes include "Hybrid" badging on the front doors and tailgate, a unique brand logo on the front, and an aerodynamically optimized front end. grille with upper glossy black stripe.
The wheels are also 17-inch and have a new design, although they will also be available for the rest of the Juke lineup.
Inside, the dashboard has been updated with a power gauge to reflect the electrified powertrain, and boot space has been reduced to 354 liters (down 68 liters) due to a 1.2 kWh battery installation.
The Juke Hybrid will go on sale internationally later this year. Cars Guide contacted Nissan Australia to determine their chances of opening local showrooms.
