The next-gen Juke is long overdue, but despite this,
Nissan hasn’t rushed things over. Thus, the outgoing subcompact SUV, which
entered production 9 years ago, is still being sold in Europe, and if the
latest report is accurate, then it will be almost 10 by the time the automaker
will launch its replacement.
According to AutoExpress, the second generation will
be introduced in before the end of 2019. It will be underpinned by the
Alliance’s CMF-B platform, already used in the new Renault Clio and set to be adopted
by the next-gen Captur. The architecture will allow the adoption of electrified powertrains,
and a fully-electric derivative is seriously being considered as a Kia e-Niro
and Hyundai Kona EV rival.
A plug-in hybrid powertrain appears to be in the
cards, too. It’s expected to combine a 1.6-liter petrol unit with an electric
motor and a 9.8 kWh battery, allowing it to travel in complete silence for 30+
km. Mild-hybrid versions are also on the cards, but the usual ICE-powered
versions won’t go anywhere either; two ICE units believed to make up the lineup
are the 1.0-liter turbo-three petrol and the 1.5-liter dCi diesel. All-wheel
drive will be an option in certain high-end grades.
New powertrains aside, the 2020 Juke will also
improve the interior legroom and headroom thanks to the adoption of the new
platform. The vehicle should have a larger overall footprint and, more
importantly, a longer wheelbase. Boot capacity will likely go up as well. Further improvements made inside
will be the addition of a new infotainment system, with smartphone integration.
Drivers will be aided in certain situations by the ProPilot semi-autonomous
driving system. Elsewhere, the next Juke will retain the funky styling that has made
it famous, albeit with some big design updates that will make it look more
modern and perhaps more futuristic as well.
