Nissan Developing High-Powered Version of Juke CUV

MADRID – Nissan’s souped-up CUV has the auto maker in a welcomed dilemma.

“It is a Juke which believes it is a GT-R,” a spokesman says of the new version of the jaunty B-segment entry and the premium coupe Nissan bills as a “supercar.”

Nissan Juke-R has modified GT-R drivetrain.

The belief arguably isn’t unfounded.

The Juke-R, currently undergoing testing, runs on a 3.8L twin-turbo V-6 powerplant adapted directly from Nissan’s flagship GT-R.

The Juke-R’s engine is complemented by the GT-R’s 6-speed transaxle with a modified GT-R all-wheel-drive driveline and prop shaft.

It mimics the coupe’s instrument-panel design, including a 7-in. (18 cm) liquid-crystal display.

Elsewhere inside the Juke-R is the central console of the standard Juke, inspired by the fuel tank of a motorbike.

But the vehicle’s sporty aspirations are reflected in the twin racing seats with 5-point harnesses.

The CUV is being developed by race driver and motorsports engineer Ray Mallock’s firm under the supervision of the Nissan Technical Center for Europe.

That collaboration dates back to 1990 with the entry of Nissan’s R90C prototype in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The auto maker and design firm later ran Primera models in the British Touring Car Championship.

In 2003, they unveiled the Micra-R, powered by a Primera engine installed in place of the rear seats and later replaced by a V-6 from a Nissan 350Z.