New Nissan Juke - 1.6 Petrol Visia Quick Stats :
	0-60mph Maximum Speed Combined average MPG Personal Leasing	11.1 seconds 111mph 44.1 from £209 inc pm

Since the launch of Nissan Qashqai back in 2007, we have seen that vehicle go from strength to strength winning customers with its stylish looks and practicality, whilst offering excellent value for money. We have been amazed with the amount of customer loyalty shown towards the Qashqai, with many customers simply ordering a like for like replacement with simply a change in colour.

We were therefore exicted to hear about a new model being introduced by Nissan. The JUKE.

Juke? It’s a smaller version of the Qashqai, the UK’s fifth best-selling vehicle last month and Nissan’s Sunderland plant can’t turn them out fast enough. Since Nissan opened up the order bank we have taken no end of orders and were getting customers wanting to order without being totally sure of the monthly lease price.

Under the skin it is effectively the Renault/Nissan B platform which underpins the Clio, Micra and Note.

Engines include Renault’s 1.5-litre dCi turbodiesel delivering 108bhp and a sturdy 177lb ft, a new take on the Nissan 1.6-litre petrol unit delivering 115bhp/116lb ft in naturally aspirated form and a useful 187bhp/177lb ft in turbocharged guise. Most models drive through the front wheels alone, but there’s all-wheel drive available with the top model 1.6i DIG-T.

The interior is curvaceous, with superficially spiffy plastic inserts which can be coloured according to whim and pocket. The cabin fits tightly round the occupants and while there’s headroom aplenty, front-seat passengers clash elbows. There’s really only room for two adults in the back, but again there’s headroom to spare and (just) enough leg room for one six-footer to sit behind another.

Under the hatchback the boot is shallow with a false floor hiding a spare tyre, or a reflation kit and more spare space. While the seats are comfortable and the fronts are adjustable for height, the steering wheel only adjusts up and down and some might find it difficult finding a good driving position.

So appearance aside, the Juke is a tried and trusted formula, although small tweaks like a new front subframe and body stiffening, together with a couple of months with Nissan’s brilliant chassis engineers at Cranfield, bode well.

The ride is pretty good, coping adroitly with broken surfaces, with supple body control even with the optional 17-inch wheels and tyres. The electronically-assisted steering is light and direct and all-round disc brakes are powerful, but over-assisted so they need care on that first push.

Juke should start hitting the roads towards the end of September, and we fully expect these funky little motors to become one of our biggest sellers, further strengthening Nissans grip on the market and continuing to win business from long standing models from Ford and Vauxhall.

As the public continue to be drawn towards something slighly different whilst seeking a product that offers excellent value for money, we believe Juke has to be a serious consideration..