We've now officially heard it from the horse's Nissan's mouth. Today at a pre-Chicago Auto Show event, Nissan confirmed what we've been hearing for the last month: the funky Juke will jive its way to America this Fall. The small crossover was presaged by the Qazana concept, and the production version promises to share a number of that vehicle's unique styling features.

We'll get our first official glimpse of the new Juke at the Geneva Motor Show next month, and that debut will be followed up later in the month when the Juke gets its North American introduction at the New York Auto Show. Nissan says the Juke will offer "a sporty crossover alternative to traditional small hatchback vehicles," which we can only assume to be competing models such as the Kia Soul and Scion xB.

The Japanese automaker also tells us that the car's center console was inspired by a motorcycle tank. We never knew we wanted a gas tank-shaped center console until now, but Nissan officially has our interest piqued with that little tidbit. We'll see if the actual implementation is as intriguing as it sounds soon enough; in the meantime, click past the break for the official press release.

 

Not a fan of this hideous vehicle coming to market in North America.

 

Had to do it. Anyways, also not a fan of the Juke's styling but hey, it ain't cookie-cutter.

So how does this fit into Nissan's lineup with the Rogue, Xterra and Murano?

 

Good question. I see some Rogue/Juke/Cube cross-shopping/confusion/cannibalization coming...

(Xterra is hard-core, non-crossover SUV, and Nissan's anti-Jeep and FJ Cruiser, while Murano is larger and more of a Venza rival)

 

Nissan Juke To Debut at 2010 Geneva Auto Show

Published Feb 10, 2010

FRANKLIN, Tennessee — Nissan said its new Juke compact crossover, which debuts next month at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show, will come to the U.S. this fall. The car will make its North American premiere in late March at the 2010 New York Auto Show.

Nissan released a teaser shot of the car in January and a full set of images on Wednesday, ahead of the Geneva show.

New photos of the Juke reveal a high beltline with dramatic, coupe-like stance. Nissan says the Juke's interior features a "wide center console that takes its inspiration from a motorcycle fuel tank."

Expect the Juke to offer both gas and diesel engines in Europe, while the U.S. will likely be limited to the Nissan Versa engines, with which it shares a platform. The 2010 Versa uses both a 1.6-liter or 1.8-liter inline-4 cylinder.

Inspired by the Nissan Qazana concept, the Juke will be slotted in the U.S. beneath the Murano and Rogue. In Europe, it will complement the Note and the Qashqai.

Inside Line says: Is it our imagination, or does the Juke resemble a curvier version of the Kia Soul? — Paul Lienert, Correspondent


2010 Geneva Auto Show - 2011 Nissan Juke

http://www.insideline.com/niss....html

 

touche

 

Wow, it actually looked kinda interesting in that shadowy shot, but the full shot is kinda eww.

That lower front valence with the 3 portholes is mondo-barfo!!!

The Vehicross looked a little goofy, but it was a totally kick-*** truck.

This thing is just weird, period. At least it's not gross in the sad, pathetic way that the Aztek was.

It's weird in a French/Renault kind of way, not in the endearing Japanese-weird sort of way.

At least it's not cookie-cutter, I'll give them that.

 

Sometimes I really wish I was in the boardroom when designs like this are approved.





I cant believe thats the production version. How do we classify that level of UGLY??

 

that's little too funky for me. i like the aggressive stance though.

 

It's actually better looking than the concept IMO. But why does the interior remind me of a PT Cruiser?

 

Maybe passing the pipe in the boardroom and this was the result.

 

it does. probably because of that shiny plastics. yuck.

 

straight up!!!!!!!! busted

 

It's different, better than the Rogue and Versa for me.

 

I agree it's different, eeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwww.