Nissan’s Juke-R 2.0 is set to terrorize Goodwood with 600 hp

By Stephen Edelstein June 25, 2015

Back in 2011, Nissan decided to stuff the powertrain from its mighty GT-R into the Juke mini-crossover (which we called “the perfect ride for a speed freak with a sense of humor”), creating a monster known as the Juke-R. Now, this chimeric crossover is getting an upgrade.

The Nissan Juke-R 2.0 debuts this week at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed in the U.K. Originally teased as the Juke-R NISMO (the last part of the name is short for “Nissan Motorsports”), it’s even more insane than version 1.0

Nissan’s latest monster Juke still features the 3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged GT-R, but it’s been upgraded from the previous production version’s 545 horsepower to 600 hp. That’s the same output as the GT-R NISMO, the most extreme version of the GT-R available to customers.

Nissan didn’t say specifically, but seems logical for the Juke-R 2.0 to pack the GT-R NISMO’s 481 pound-feet of torque as well. An all-wheel drive system derived from the one used in the GT-R helps put that power to the ground.

In addition to giving the Juke-R 2.0 an extra shot of horsepower, Nissan made some visual upgrades as well. The new version is based on the facelifted Juke that debuted for the 2015 model year — although it takes an eagle eye to spot the differences between the two.

More noticeable changes include a new front bumper with larger cooling apertures, a carbon-fiber rear bumper with integrated diffuser, carbon-fiber fender flares, and newer-style GT-R wheels.

Those steroidal add-ons, combined with the stealthy matte-black paint, almost make the Juke-R 2.0 look sinister. Until you remember that this is still a Juke, and see its goofy face.

The dissonance between the serious performance implied by the GT-R hardware and the laughs brought on by the Juke bodywork helped make the previous Juke-R a fan favorite. The same will probably be true of the new model.

Besides the two original concept versions, Nissan actually built a handful of production Juke-Rs for people to buy. The carmaker won’t discuss plans to sell the Juke-R 2.0 right now, but you can bet that if it does go on sale, it will cost as much as the supercars it seeks to imitate.

Editors' Recommendations

Audi R8 not hardcore enough for you? Check out the LMS GT2 race car

Topics

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Cars

Rivian R2 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5: Should you wait for the Rivian R2?

Rivian R2

Rivian has taken the wraps off of the Rivian R2, an electric SUV that's similar to the much-loved R1S, but smaller and, crucially, cheaper. But the R2 goes up against some serious competition. The likes of Hyundai have been building solid EVs for some time now -- including the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The R2 and the Ioniq 5 each make a compelling case for themselves, and they're likely to end up being similarly priced if the Ioniq 5 doesn't get much cheaper and the R2 does end up being sold at $45,000. To be fair, the cars are pretty different -- the R2 is more of an SUV, while the Ioniq 5 is much more crossover-sized. But because of their similar price, you might be deciding between the two. How do they compare? We put the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 head-to-head.
Design
The differences between the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 are perhaps no more apparent than when it comes to design.

Cars

The 6 best remote car starters in 2024

Best car remote starters

While some modern vehicles come standard with remote start features, it's still relatively uncommon. That's a shame because if you live somewhere where cold weather, snow, and ice are frequent concerns, a remote car starter is one of the best auto accessories you can have. If you're not familiar with them, a remote car starter works similarly to a key fob, except it will actually start your car from a distance instead of just unlocking the doors or trunk. That means you can start your car from the warm comfort of your home or office before venturing out. If you live somewhere hot, you can even start your car and let the AC run for a little bit. You'll never enter a freezing cold or scorching hot vehicle again.

The best remote car starters have long ranges, replaceable batteries, and other handy features — but how do you know which is best for you? We’ve compiled a list of the best car starters in a range of prices and features. Keep in mind that while you can install some yourself, some will require a professional.
The best remote car starters in 2024

Cars

The best portable jump starters for cars in 2024

The Clore Jump-N-Carry JNC660 portable jump starter connected to a truck battery.

Any time you hit the road, whether you're taking a short or long trip, it's a good idea to have backups handy. A spare or backup tire, some anti-freeze, windshield wash fluid, a road hazard kit, and, last but not least, one of the best portable tire inflators and a portable jump starter. You never know when cold weather, inadvertently leaving the dome light on, or plain old Father Time can curse you with a dead battery. Ensure you have one of the best portable jump starters that can save you in a jam, kickstarting your car even when there isn't anyone around to jump the battery. Naturally, that's why we’ve rounded up what we feel are the best portable jump starters for 2024.
The best portable jump starters in 2024

Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter overall.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter runner-up.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter and tire inflator combo.
Buy the if you want another name-brand option.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter for cheap.