Nissan has released a few pictures of their next-generation Juke crossover undergoing testing in the UK. The car itself is under some distracting body camo, of course, but the general look of it paints it being significant improvement over its predecessor.
In fact, so sure is the Japanese automaker of the all-new version’s aesthetics that they even promise it would feature the sleekness and lines of a coupe. Seen here, the prototype wears sporty 19-inch alloys finished in black. Less quirk, more twerk.
We still do not know a lot about the new Juke’s technical specifications, mind you, but can extrapolate from the design team’s list of available ingredients, able to borrow resources from its sister marques, Renault and Mitsubishi.
The upcoming model is noticeably roomier than the model it replaces thanks to its expanded footprint. However, the company is quick to point out that does not compromise its agility and driving character, seeking to win over buyers once behind the wheel.
Given its size, it would be a natural fit to share a platform with the Renault Clio and Captur, retaining its front-wheel drive layout and perhaps its small displacement turbo-petrol engines and dual-clutch transmission.
Under that somewhat bulbous bonnet - made more palatable by the new fascia and V Motion grille - would likely be a 1.0-litre three-cylinder or larger 1.3-litre four-cylinder lifted from the popular European-market Qashqai.
Given their predilection for electrification, a hybrid variant of the Juke would likely not be too far off its initial launch, though we’re a little skeptical that Nissan would be inclined to pursue a more performance-oriented RS variant, with internals taken from the Clio RS.
That said, this new model does look like it would be a better match to the 3.8-litre VR38DETT twin-turbo V6 from the GT-R, though the chances of that lightning strike occurring again are close to nothing.
Nissan has also said that the all-new Juke will become the third model in their portfolio to feature the ProPILOT tech suite, which adds new connectivity, active safety and semi autonomous driving features.
For more on Nissan cars, check out our Showroom.
