Nissan Juke redesign targets Hyundai Kona

author: FutureCar Staff    

Bold design has always been a defining characteristic of the Juke since its introduction in 2010, and it appears that this will continue with the upcoming model. The concept's sharp and angular surfacing can still be seen in our images, and the Juke's chunky and squat stance is accentuated by the darkened wheelarch extensions. The hidden rear door handle remains, and at the rear, we can expect some influence from the Ariya (and Hyper Punk) with a lightbar.

Nissan recently made an announcement that by 2030, it will transition to being fully electric and will only launch new EVs in Europe. They have set a target of having 19 fully electric cars by the end of the decade, so it is likely that some of the Tokyo concept cars will make it into production.

One of these concept cars is the Hyper Punk small SUV, which directly points to the upcoming Nissan Juke EV. Although the Tokyo concept is slightly larger than the future successor to the current petrol Juke, it showcases many styling cues that are expected to make it into production, as shown in our exclusive images.

Nissan made a big splash at this year's Tokyo Motor Show, unveiling a range of concept cars that provide a glimpse into the brand's future and hint at upcoming model plans.

The new Juke will be targeting the same B-segment rivals as the current model while sitting below the next-generation Leaf (which will transform into a crossover) in Nissan's lineup. This means it will be competing with the likes of the Jeep Avenger, Hyundai Kona, and the upcoming Kia EV3.

Thanks to Nissan's partnership with Renault, the two manufacturers will be sharing EV technology. The upcoming Renault 5 and Nissan Micra will utilize the same CMF-B EV platform, likely offering a choice of 40kWh and 52kWh batteries for a range of up to 249 miles. The Juke is also expected to be based on this architecture, but its higher positioning in terms of size and price may require Nissan to find a way to offer larger batteries for increased range.

While Nissan plans to launch its first EV with solid-state batteries by 2028, it is anticipated that the Juke EV will initially use nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) batteries. Gilles le Borgne, Renault's Chief Technical Officer, stated that "The next Leaf, the next Juke, the next Micra, the [Renault] 5 and R4 will stick to this chemistry."

While a single motor mounted on the front axle seems to be the most likely configuration for the Juke EV, there is also the possibility of a dual-motor variant. The idea of an electric Juke first surfaced in 2021, and at the time, Nissan Europe's general manager for product planning mentioned the potential use of the Ariya's e-4ORCE electric four-wheel-drive system in the Juke. The additional power provided by an extra motor could even pave the way for a hot Juke Nismo EV.

With the next-generation electric Micra supermini positioned below the Juke at around four meters in length, and the confirmed crossover replacement for the Leaf set to undercut the Ariya, it will be important for Nissan to keep the Juke's size at around 4.2 meters. However, the use of an EV platform should allow for a roomier interior with seating for five and a decent-sized boot.

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FutureCar Staff