Tata eMO EV in Detroit

Engineering services firm Tata Technologies has been displaying its Electric Mobility Electric Vehicle (or eMO EV for short) at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The project was a participant in the 2012 Michelin Challenge Design programme, which had the theme ‘City 2046: Art, Life and Ingenuity - Transforming Personal Mobility.’



Entrants were asked to develop a vehicle that could carry between two and ten people, giving consideration to what transport infrastructure and needs might be like in the future.



Tata’s solution has been designed to maximise internal space while keeping the exterior dimensions as small as possible. The eMO EV concept - which was engineered with input from teams in India, the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States - is a full four-seat car, although there’s no dedicated luggage compartment.



Drive to the front wheels is via a pair of electric motors that are fed by an 18.4 kW air-cooled, high density / high energy battery pack. Estimated range between recharges is 100 miles (161 km), and the eMO EV is capable of reaching a top speed of 65 mph (105 km/h). Not exactly quick then, but more than enough for congested city centres.



For the time being at least, the eMO EV will remain just a concept as there are no plans to put it into mass production.

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Top 10: Irish car sales 2011

Despite continued bleak economic conditions, the Irish car market managed to grow slightly during 2011. Figures released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry show that total registrations were 89,904, an increase of 1.7% compared to the previous year’s 88,373.



Around 12,000 of 2011’s sales were due to the scrappage scheme, which closed at the end of June. This gave Vehicle Registration Tax relief of €1,250 per new car, provided that the customer’s trade-in was at least ten-years-old.



While the Focus was the most popular model, Ford slumped to third place in the manufacturers’ rankings. That left Toyota to take the top spot, closely followed by Volkswagen.

Ireland's most popular car in 2011: The Ford Focus.

BMW slipped into the top ten, thanks mainly to 2,163 new 5 Series registrations. The entire Mercedes-Benz range combined couldn’t beat that performance, which contributed to BMW achieving a massive 37.7% year-on-year sales upsurge.



Even that wasn’t quite enough to beat rivals Audi, though, because it too experienced an impressive growth rate and ended the year with 3,464 registrations.



The other stand-out success was Hyundai, which posted 1,052 extra sales compared to 2010.

Top 10: Irish Car Sales 2011 - By Manufacturer
Position	Manufacturer	2011	2010	+/-	% +/-
1	Toyota	11,812	10,660	1,152	10.8%
2	Volkswagen	11,247	10,301	946	9.2%
3	Ford	10,519	11,215	-696	-6.2%
4	Renault	8,580	9,746	-1,166	-12.0%
5	Nissan	6,763	5,494	1,269	23.1%
6	Opel	6,387	6,603	-216	-3.3%
7	Škoda	4,651	4,915	-264	-5.4%
8	Hyundai	4,011	2,959	1,052	35.6%
9	Audi	3,464	2,723	741	27.2%
10	BMW	3,433	2,493	940	37.7%
Figures provided by SIMI Statistical Service

Top 10: Irish Car Sales 2011 - By Model
Position	Manufacturer	Model	Registrations
1	Ford	Focus	4,242
2	Volkswagen	Golf	3,980
3	Toyota	Avensis	3,661
4	Renault	Fluence	3,016
5	Volkswagen	Passat Saloon	2,975
6	Ford	Fiesta	2,953
7	Nissan	Qashqai	2,653
8	Toyota	Corolla	2,592
9	Renault	Mégane	2,530
10	Toyota	Yaris	2,311
Figures provided by SIMI Statistical Service

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2012 Suzuki GSR750 ABS

When Suzuki’s naked GSR750 was introduced last year, one key item was missing from the spec sheet: anti-lock brakes.



Now that omission has been fixed with the launch of the GSR750 ABS, which goes on sale this month.

The UK on the road price has been set at £7,478, which is just £350 more than the non-ABS version. As an extra incentive, there’s currently a £650 cash back offer that runs until the end of April, but to qualify the bike has to be bought using Suzuki’s finance scheme.



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Shelby Anniversary Editions

Fifty years in business for a specialist manufacturer is something to celebrate, so it’s unsurprising that Shelby American is producing some special versions of its cars to mark its golden jubilee.



50th Anniversary Editions of the Shelby GTS, GT350 and GT500 Super Snake will be available, although just fifty white and fifty black examples of each are going to be built to guarantee exclusivity.

All come with gold stripes, special wheels, six-piston front brakes, 50th anniversary badges, unique interiors, a car cover and a special vehicle identification number. And that’s about it, which is a bit underwhelming, although buyers do also get to go to the Shelby factory in Las Vegas for a handover ceremony.



Starting prices for the post-title 50th Anniversary Edition packages range from $19,995 for the GTS V6 to $59,995 for the GT500 Super Snake, plus the cost of the base Mustang.



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Lincoln MKZ Concept

With Mercury gone, Ford now only needs to concentrate its efforts on one other brand: the somewhat moribund Lincoln.



But it appears that serious work is being put into rebuilding the marque, which is understandable considering that the luxury segment in the United States accounts for over ten per cent of sales. Over the past year or so a dedicated team has been formed, and in 2011 the Lincoln Design Studio opened.



One of the first products of the new facility is the MKZ Concept, which has been unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Lincoln MKZ Concept. Scroll down for more images.

Based on a new mid-size platform that can accommodate front- or all-wheel drive set-ups, the concept hints at a production model that should go on sale later this year.



Its significance shouldn’t be underestimated. As Derrick Kuzak, Ford Motor Company group vice president for Global Product Development, said, “With the Lincoln MKZ Concept, we are not introducing a new car. We are essentially introducing a new brand. The MKZ Concept is the next step in the reinvention of Lincoln, something we’ve been quietly but aggressively pursuing.”



The styling gives a clue to what all future Lincoln vehicles will look like, and is described as ‘elegant simplicity’ by Max Wolff, Lincoln design director. It looks agreeably distinctive, cleverly combining traditional elements such as the split-wing grille with a novel fastback silhouette.



Certain features such as the panoramic glass roof probably won’t make it to production, but at least Lincoln has demonstrated some original thinking. If anything, the MKZ Concept has an almost Gallic air; it could quite easily wear a Citroën or Renault badge.



Although the interior of the concept is only a four-seater, the emphasis is on light and space, something that’s helped by the pale champagne-coloured leather seats. But technology abounds too, and in place of conventional instruments there’s a 10.1” LCD screen directly ahead of the driver.



Doubtless Lincoln will be keen to gauge public reaction to the MKZ Concept, as that should indicate whether its renaissance strategy is likely to succeed or not.

2013 Kia Cee’d first view

Kia has released the first image of the new 2013 Cee’d five-door hatchback, which will make its public debut at March’s Geneva Motor Show.

Nothing has been revealed about the car’s technical specifications or engine line-up, but expect the new Cee’d to be more efficient than the outgoing model.



Sales are due to begin across mainland Europe from the second quarter of 2012, and UK deliveries will commence in June. The estate version should then arrive later this year, with the sporty Procee’d three-door following sometime in 2013.



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2012 NACTOY winners

The Land Rover Range Rover Evoque has been declared the 2012 North American Truck of the Year.



Awarded 254 points by the jury of fifty automotive journalists from across Canada and the United States, the Evoque achieved an emphatic victory over the other two finalists. The second-place Honda CR-V scored 142, while the BMW X3 managed a modest 94.

2012 North American Truck of the Year: Land Rover Range Rover Evoque.

It was a much closer contest for the 2012 North American Car of the Year title. The Ford Focus and Volkswagen Passat secured 155 and 161 points respectively, but the Hyundai Elantra emerged as the eventual winner with a score of 174.

2012 North American Car of the Year: Hyundai Elantra.

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2013 Cadillac ATS revealed

The just-unveiled Cadillac ATS compact sports saloon has an important job to do for the brand.



As Don Butler, vice president of marketing for Cadillac, says, “the ATS aims to change the status quo of the European-dominated segment.” And that means it’ll have to steal customers from the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4... not an easy task.



The new arrival could also allow Cadillac to re-launch itself in Europe with a credible product offering. Apparently, it has been engineered to accommodate a diesel engine (although for North America three petrol engines will initially be available), and there’s even the possibility of a right-hand drive version.

Based on an all-new platform, the ATS is claimed to offer superior driving dynamics combined with lightness. Certainly, a kerb weight of less than 1,542 kg (3,400 pounds) is similar to the latest generation BMW 3 Series, and a 51% front / 49% rear mass distribution should help the car’s handling prowess. Buyers will have a choice of either rear- or all-wheel drive drivetrains.



The styling represents the latest interpretation of Cadillac’s ‘Art and Science’ design language, typified by taut, angular bodywork and strong vertical light clusters front and rear. It works well, and the long wheelbase and wide tracks give the ATS pleasing proportions.



While an on-sale date and pricing have yet to be confirmed, Cadillac has announced that as well as a standard version, the ATS will be available with Luxury, Performance and Premium Collection trim packs.

2013 Cadillac ATS - Preliminary Technical Specifications
Body
Type	4-door luxury sport sedan
EPA vehicle class	Small car
Construction	Unitised welded steel body with direct-mounted front cradle and rubber-isolated, multi-link independent rear suspension
Drivetrain	Rear- or all-wheel drive
Engines
2.0 litre turbo DI VVT
Displacement	1,998 cc (122 cu. in.)
Bore and stroke	86 x 86 mm (3.39 x 3.39 in.)
Block material	Cast aluminium
Cylinder material	Cast aluminium
Valvegear	DOHC, four-valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing
Fuel delivery	Direct high-pressure fuel injection
Compression ratio	9.2:1
Power	270 bhp (201 kW / 273 PS) @ 5,300 rpm (est.)
Torque	353 Nm (260 lb/ft) @ 2,400 rpm (est.)
Maximum engine speed	7,000 rpm
Recommended fuel	Premium unleaded recommended but not required
Estimated fuel economy	TBD
2.5 litre I-4 DI VVT
Displacement	2,457 cc (150 cu. in.)
Bore and stroke	88 x 101 mm (3.46 x 3.97 in.)
Block material	Cast aluminium
Cylinder material	Cast aluminium
Valvegear	DOHC, four-valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing
Fuel delivery	Direct high-pressure fuel injection
Compression ratio	11.4:1
Power	200 bhp (149 kW / 202 PS) @ 6,200 rpm (est.)
Torque	255 Nm (188 lb/ft) @ 4,500 rpm (est.)
Maximum engine speed	7,000 rpm
Recommended fuel	Regular unleaded
Estimated fuel economy	TBD
3.6 litre V-6 DI VVT
Displacement	3,564 cc (217 cu. in.)
Bore and stroke	94 x 85.6 mm (3.7 x 3.37 in.)
Block material	Cast aluminium
Cylinder material	Cast aluminium
Valvegear	DOHC, four-valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing
Fuel delivery	Direct high-pressure fuel injection
Compression ratio	11.5:1
Power	320 bhp (238 kW / 324 PS) @ 6,800 rpm (est.)
Torque	362 Nm (267 lb/ft) @ 4,900 rpm (est.)
Maximum engine speed	7,200 rpm
Recommended fuel	Regular unleaded or E85
Estimated fuel economy	TBD
Transmissions
Tremec M3L TR3160
Type	Fully synchronized six-speed manual with single overdrive
Gear ratios (:1)	First: 4.12; second: 2.62; third: 1.81; fourth: 1.30; fifth: 1.00; sixth: 0.80; reverse: 3.75
Final drive ratio	3.27
Hydra-Matic 6L45
Type	Six-speed, electronically controlled, automatic overdrive with torque converter clutch
Gear ratios (:1)	First: 4.06; second: 2.37; third: 1.55; fourth: 1.16; fifth: 0.85; sixth: 0.67; reverse: 3.20
Final drive ratio	3.27 (2.5L, 3.6L); 3.45 (2.0T)
Chassis
Differential	Open (FE2 suspension); mechanical limited-slip (FE3 suspension)
Front suspension	MacPherson-type with dual lower ball joints and direct-acting stabilizer bar; Magnetic Ride Control (FE3)
Rear suspension	Independent five-link with monotube shock absorbers; Magnetic Ride Control (FE3)
Steering type	ZF rack-mounted electric, power-assisted and variable assist
Steering ratio	FE2: 16.8:1; FE3: 15.3:1
Steering turns, lock-to-lock	FE2: 3.16; FE3: 2.86
Turning circle	FE2 RWD: 11.09 m / 36.38 ft; FE3 RWD: 10.97 m / 35.99 ft; FE2 AWD: 11.60 m / 38.05 ft
Chassis control	Four-channel StabiliTrak with brake assist and traction control
Brakes
Type	Four-wheel disc with sliding calipers on base; four-channel ABS/TCS with DRP; Brembo brakes with fixed calipers on Luxury, Performance and Premium collections
Disc treatment	Ferritic Nitro Carbunized process for corrosion resistance
Disc size and thickness, standard	Front 300 x 26 mm (11.8 x 1.02 in.); rear 315 x 23 mm (12.4 x 0.90 in.)
Disc size and thickness, up-level	Front 321 x 30 mm (12.6 x 1.18 in.); rear 315 x 23 mm (12.4 x 0.90 in.)
Wheels / Tyres
Wheel sizes and types	17 x 8-inch aluminium (painted); 17 x 8-inch aluminium (polished); 18 x 8-inch aluminium (machined-face); 18 x 8-inch aluminium (polished)
Tyre sizes and types	P225/45R17 90H all-season; P225/45R17 90V run-flat all-season; 225/40R18 92V run-flat all-season; 225/40R18 88W / 255/35R18 90W run-flat summer-only; 225/35ZR19 88Y / 255/30ZR19 91Y run-flat all-season (LPO)
Exterior dimensions
Wheelbase	2,775 mm (109.3 in.)
Length	4,643 mm (182.8 in.)
Height	1,421 mm (55.9 in.)
Width	1,805 mm (71.1 in.)
Track	Front 1,512 mm (59.5 in.); rear 1,548 mm (60.9 in.)
Approx. curb weight	Less than 1,542 kg (3,400 lb)
Weight distribution	51 % front / 49 % rear
Interior dimensions
Legroom	Front 1,079 mm (42.5 in.); rear 851 mm (33.5 in.)
Headroom	Front 980 mm (38.6 in.); rear 935 mm (36.8 in.)
Shoulder room	Front 1,345 mm (55.2 in.); rear 1,370 mm (53.9 in.)
Hip room	Front 1,345 mm (53.0 in.); rear 1,328 mm (52.3 in.)
Seating capacity	2 front / 3 rear
EPA passenger volume	2,573 litres (90.9 cu. ft.)
EPA trunk volume	290 litres (10.2 cu. ft.)
Capacities
Trailer towing maximum	454 kg (1,000 lb) (3.6L)
Fuel tank	60.5 litres (16 US gallons)
Engine oil	TBD
Cooling system	2.0T 7.7 litres (8.1 qt.); 2.5L 6.7 litres (7.1 qt.); 3.6L 10.4 litres (11.0 qt.)

Images © GM Company.



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2012 Euro COTY nominees

The original thirty-five candidates for the 2012 European Car of the Year award have been whittled down to a list of seven nominees, following a first round of voting.

2012 European Car of the Year Nominees
Manufacturer	Model
Citroën	DS5
Fiat	Panda
Ford	Focus
Range Rover	Evoque
Toyota	Yaris
Vauxhall / Opel / Chevrolet	Ampera / Volt
Volkswagen	Up!

Given that there have been some dubious winners in the past (the Simca / Chrysler Horizon in 1979 and Fiat Bravo / Brava in 1996 are obvious examples), it’s good to see that the jury has decided on a strong group of finalists.



Perhaps the one exception is the Toyota Yaris, which really doesn’t deserve to triumph over any of the other six contenders. Arguably, the Citroën DS4 or even the Porsche 911 ought to have taken the Toyota’s place instead.



A second ballot will now take place to determine the overall winner, and the result will be revealed on 5 March 2012 at the Geneva Motor Show.



And which model should be named 2012 European Car of the Year? Either the Citroën DS5 or Range Rover Evoque.

Citroën DS5: 2012 European Car of the Year nominee.

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2013 Dodge Dart leaked

Just ahead of its debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, images of the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart compact have been leaked.

2013 Dodge Dart. Scroll down for more images.

Their emergence follows Dodge’s teaser campaign last month, so perhaps we’ll never know how ‘official’ the release of these latest pictures is.



Whatever, it seems that the heavily-cropped teaser shots really didn’t do the Dart’s styling justice.



Thanks to a low, wide stance, a prominent rising beltline along the side and a neat arrangement for the headlights and Dodge crosshair grille, it manages to look pretty good from just about any angle. Certainly in terms of design, the Dart moves things on immeasurably from its Caliber predecessor.



Based on a stretched and widened Alfa Romeo Giulietta platform - known as Compact U.S. Wide (CUSW) - the Dart is going to be available with a choice of three four-cylinder petrol engines. Two of those feature Fiat’s MultiAir valvegear technology, which should mean significantly improved fuel consumption and emissions.

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Volt crash safety enhanced

Clearly keen not to put off potential purchasers or existing owners, General Motors has been swift in upgrading the crash performance of its Chevrolet Volt and Vauxhall / Opel Ampera range extenders.



The changes are designed to provide additional protection to the battery pack, in order to prevent a post-impact electrical fire.



They come in response to a crash test that was carried out in the United States by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration back in May 2011. That test caused battery coolant to leak, which in turn resulted in an electrical fire three weeks later. The NHTSA then replicated the situation under laboratory conditions, which caused a battery pack fire six days after.



Included in the modifications are a sensor for the battery coolant reservoir that monitors coolant levels, a tamper-resistant bracket for the reservoir to prevent coolant overfill and additional structural strengthening that should provide extra side-impact protection for the battery pack.

As well as being incorporated into the production process, the enhancements will also be retro-fitted to customers’ cars.



Image © GM Company.



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New Škoda Fabia IRC livery

The Fabia S2000 campaigned by Škoda UK Motorsport in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge is getting a fresh paintjob for the 2012 season.

To be driven by the reigning IRC champion, Norwegian Andreas Mikkelsen (the chap who made Vicki Butler-Henderson rather carsick when they competed together in a navigational rally for Fifth Gear), the car’s new livery combines Škoda’s traditional green, white and black colours with a Union Flag design for the roof and bonnet.



The 2012 Intercontinental Rally Challenge comprises thirteen events, of which nine are run on asphalt, three on gravel and one on mixed surfaces. The series begins with the Sata Rallye Azores, which takes place in February.



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Top 10: UK car sales 2011

1,941,253 new cars were sold in the UK during 2011, according to figures just released by the SMMT.



As expected, that was down on 2010’s total of 2,030,846, but the 4.4% reduction wasn’t quite as bad as had been previously forecast.



Some manufacturers did buck the trend though, recording some healthy percentage increases. The biggest winners were Infiniti, Lexus, Alfa Romeo and the rejuvenated MG, but all are comparative minnows with a combined market share of just over 1%.

Of more significance were the rises of 14.2% and 14.0% achieved by Mini and Audi respectively, with the latter also managing the highest unit growth - 13,969 - of any marque. Indeed, Audi finished the year with 113,797 sales, tantalisingly close to archrival BMW’s figure of 116,642.



Needless to say, for many firms it wasn’t a good year. Unsurprisingly, neither Daihatsu nor Saab did well, but shockingly Smart saw its sales slashed by over a third and Mazda’s decrease was of a similar magnitude.

Renault suffered the largest volume drop, with 27,159 fewer registrations compared to 2010. Perhaps that massive 28.4% reduction goes some way to explaining the company’s decision to decimate both its model range and dealer network in the UK?



Despite all the year-on-year movements, there was little change at the head of the manufacturers’ league table, as Ford, Vauxhall, Volkswagen and BMW retained the top four spots.

Top 10: Cumulative UK Car Sales Q4 2011 By Manufacturer
Position 2011	Manufacturer	Registrations	Position 2010	Movement
1	Ford	265,894	1	-
2	Vauxhall	234,710	2	-
3	Volkswagen	179,290	3	-
4	BMW	116,642	4	-
5	Audi	113,797	6	+1
6	Nissan	96,269	8	+2
7	Peugeot	94,989	5	-2
8	Mercedes-Benz	81,873	10	+2
9	Toyota	73,589	9	-
10	Citroën	68,464	11	+1

Ford also excelled in the individual models’ chart, with the Fiesta and Focus occupying the first two positions (as they did throughout 2011).

Top 10: Cumulative UK Car Sales Q4 2011 By Model
Position	Manufacturer	Model	Registrations
1	Ford	Fiesta	96,112
2	Ford	Focus	81,832
3	Vauxhall	Corsa	77,751
4	Volkswagen	Golf	63,368
5	Vauxhall	Astra	62,575
6	Vauxhall	Insignia	46,324
7	Volkswagen	Polo	45,992
8	BMW	3 Series	42,471
9	Nissan	Qashqai	39,406
10	Mini	Hatchback	35,845

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Dacia Lodgy MPV first pics

Dacia has revealed its new Lodgy MPV, which is due to debut at March’s Geneva Motor Show.

Specification details are sketchy, but Dacia has confirmed that the Lodgy’s dodgy name derives from ‘lodge’, five- or seven-seat versions will be available and its overall length is 4,500 mm (about 14’ 9”).



That makes it just a tad shorter than the Grand Scénic from parent firm Renault, although it’s unclear whether both models share the same platform. Certainly they manage to look different which, judging by the images, isn’t necessarily a good thing for the Dacia.



While the Grand Scénic manages to appear fairly neat and stylish, the Lodgy looks a bit too van-like and its awkward proportions aren’t helped by seemingly tiny wheels. Going by the first view it’s a disappointment, especially as some recent Dacia designs (such as the Duster) have managed to be both distinctive and appealing. Perhaps the Lodgy will be better in the metal…



The Dacia brand is scheduled to launch in the UK in a year’s time, so there’s a chance that in time the Lodgy MPV could end up on sale here.



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Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid

Choosing the 2012 North American International Auto Show to unveil the Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept is rather apt, given the popularity of SUVs in the United States and reluctance among buyers there to enjoy the fuel-saving benefits of diesel.

Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept. Scroll down for more images.

A key selling point of the XC60’s petrol hybrid system is that it lets the driver decide how power is delivered, via a choice of three modes.



As the name suggests, Pure mode relies solely upon the 69 bhp (51 kW / 70 PS) electric motor for propulsion. Driving the rear wheels, it’s linked to an under-floor 12 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and offers a range (according to the New European Driving Cycle) of 28 miles (45 kilometres).



That’s a useful distance and, with the plug-in recharging facility, it means the need to run the internal combustion engine could be a rare event. Topping up the battery from flat takes 7.5 hours with a 110V / 12A supply, but if 220V / 12V is available that time is slashed to 3.5 hours.



Hybrid mode, the default setting, concentrates on efficiency. It combines the electric motor with a 276 bhp (205 kW / 280 PS) four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, which sends its power to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. With this set-up, NEDC fuel consumption is an impressive 122.8 mpg (2.3 l/100km / 102.2 mpg US), while CO2 emissions are a paltry 53 g/km.



Thirdly, Power mode shifts the focus onto performance. Harnessing the full 345 bhp (256 kW / 350 PS) that’s on offer from the motor and engine - plus an extra 44 bhp (34 kW / 45 PS) from the Integrated Starter and Generator - zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) takes just 6.1 seconds. The ISG replaces the usual starter motor and alternator and, as it’s connected directly to the crankshaft, it can help out under hard acceleration too.



Volvo is saying that the drivetrain technology featured in the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept will come to market in a couple of years, but the model which will receive it first has yet to be confirmed.

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Juke-R performance stats

Shoehorning the suspension and drivetrain from a Nissan GT-R into the Juke crossover always had the potential to produce some spectacular results.



And it seems that that promise has been realised, judging by the performance figures that Nissan has just released for its Juke-R project.

Nissan Juke-R. Scroll down for more images.

A top speed of 160 mph (257 km/h) is more than adequate, if not stunning, but it’s the acceleration that really impresses: zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) is claimed to take just 3.7 seconds.



That time may not beat the donor GT-R, but it is better than the 3.9 seconds of the Porsche 911GT3 RS 4.0, for example.



Such supercar-humbling ability obviously means the Juke-R easily outshines the regular version:

Comparison: Juke 1.6 DIG-T 4WD M-CVT versus Juke-R
	Juke 1.6 DIG-T 4WD M-CVT	Juke-R
Engine	1.6 litre I4 turbo	3.8 litre V6 twin turbo
Max. power	187 bhp (140 kW / 190 PS)	478 bhp (356 kW / 485 PS)
Max. torque	240 Nm (177 lb/ft)	588 Nm (433 lb/ft)
Acceleration 0-100 km/h	8.4 secs	3.7 secs
Top speed	124 mph (200 km/h)	160 mph (257 km/h)
Kerb weight min.	1,425 kg	1,806 kg
Overall length	4,135 mm	4,135 mm
Overall width	1,765 mm	1,910 mm
Overall height	1,575 mm	1,575 mm
Wheelbase	2,530 mm	2,530 mm
Track width (front)	1,525 mm	1,586 mm
Track width (rear)	1,505 mm	1,598 mm
Min. ground clearance	170 mm	115 mm

The Juke-R has been developed in the UK by Nissan in collaboration with Nissan Technical Centre Europe and race team RML. That motorsports influence is clearly evident, too, as the Juke-R features a full FIA-specification roll cage, OMP race seats, 20-inch Rays forged alloy wheels and a substantial rear wing.



Just two examples have been built for now, but sadly the chances of the Juke-R making it into series production seem rather slim.

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