Exterior Evokes a Concept Car

This new model is the production version of the Qazana concept car announced at last year's Geneva Motor Show, characterized by its striking exterior design.

Despite its compact body, the widely flared fenders and the large tires they house express the SUV's robust power. The roofline, flowing from the A-pillar, is finished in a style reminiscent of a sports car.

Scheduled for Release in Japan in Early Summer

The European models are equipped with three engine options: a 1.5-liter inline-4 diesel, a 1.6-liter inline-4 gasoline, and a newly developed direct-injection 1.6-liter inline-4 gasoline with turbo. The 1.4-liter inline-4 gasoline engine is paired with a new-generation Xtronic CVT with sub-transmission, enhancing fuel efficiency.

The drive system is 2WD for the gasoline NA and diesel engines, while the gasoline+turbo model is available in both 2WD and 4WD. The 4WD system features the newly developed 'All-Mode 4x4-i' with torque vectoring, which optimally distributes torque to the front and rear wheels, and between the left and right rear wheels, depending on driving conditions.

The name 'Juke' is derived from a term meaning 'to deftly evade the defense' in sports like American football. It is scheduled for sale in Japan, Europe, and the United States, with the Japanese release announced for early summer.



BRAND HISTORY
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. began producing the Cedric under its own name in 1960. The parent company was founded in 1937 and has a history of handling knock-down production of Austin vehicles after World War II.

In 1966, it merged with Prince Motor Company. From 1983 to 1987, it established a joint venture with Alfa Romeo, producing passenger cars in Italy. At one point, it rivaled Toyota in market share, but faced a management crisis in the 1990s, leading to Renault's capital investment in 1999, bringing it to its current state.

Nissan's characteristic approach may lie in creating cars that suit the Japanese lifestyle. The dream of owning a personal car, the aspiration to enjoy high-performance vehicles, pride in Japanese cars with global value, and a desire for luxury cars... Nissan has skillfully translated the evolving automotive desires of the Japanese people throughout the era of motorization into its products.

In 1966, during the dawn of motorization, it offered the dream of "my car" ownership with the small Sunny. In 1967, it highlighted high performance with the Bluebird. Recognizing the growing interest in motorsports among young people, it launched the Skyline in 1968, followed by the Fairlady Z in 1969 as a sports car "recognized in the United States," all in rapid succession.

Furthermore, during the bubble economy era, reflecting the market's demand for luxury cars, the Cima achieved great success in 1988. Simultaneously, it unveiled the Skyline GT-R in 1989, embodying the high performance of Japanese cars. This solidified the legend of the GT-R, a legacy that continues to the present-day NISSAN GT-R.

The company's genuine human touch, such as promoting its developers to the forefront of advertising to foster a closer relationship with consumers, remains evident today. The personalized corporate image, which moved forward with purpose like a living person during an era that emphasized driving performance and technology, is Nissan's unique strength.

It is also true that Nissan has lagged behind competitors like Toyota in developing next-generation technologies. It is said that the many businesses closed during the capital alliance with Renault in 1999 included hybrid technology, which was more advanced than that of other companies at the time. While a four-door electric vehicle called the Leaf is scheduled for release in autumn 2010, Nissan's direction in environmental technology remains somewhat unclear.
(Updated August 2010)