Sporty Nissan Juke Nismo launched

The Nissan Juke is the first in the Nismo range here

Nismo has been unveiled as the brand name for Nissan’s performance road cars in Europe, with the Nissan Juke the first to get the Nismo treatment here.

The name is synonymous with motorsport in Japan and the United States and gamers will be familiar with it from the likes of Gran Turismo but up until now it has been absent from European roads.

According to Nissan: ‘The Nismo ethos is to concentrate on upgrading the ride, handling and design characteristics of a road car to emulate its racing counterpart rather than focusing purely on adding massive power.

‘This results in delivering truly thrilling performance cars without the excessive cost penalties that higher power outputs bring thus making them more accessible to a wider audience.’

For the Juke Nismo, enhanced performance is achieved through a new aerodynamic body kit – with the new model sporting a modified grille and tailgate spoiler as well as lower front and rear bumpers and side skirts.

Wider tyres on the 18-inch alloy wheels offer improved grip, with red and pinstripe exterior styling announcing its Nismo credentials.

The Nismo trim continues inside, with suede-trimmed sports seats, a leather and suede covered steering wheel and sportier pedals, gear knob, guages and door trims.

The Nissan Juke Nismo is powered by a 1.6-litre 200PS direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine and is available in a 4WD Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with seven-speed manual mode or a six-speed manual transmission 2WD model.

Suspension settings are stiffer and the Juke Nismo also offers sportier handling.

The Nissan Juke Nismo is available now, with prices starting from €29,675. Next up for the Nismo treatment is the Nissan 370Z, which is expected in Ireland later this year.

Visit the Nissan Ireland website or its Facebook page for further details.