The all-new Nissan Juke Nismo RS, available across the country at West Way, is the replacement for the Nismo hot hatch. The Juke has been turning heads – some in open-mouthed admiration, some admittedly in shock at its bold-as-brass styling – since 2010, and this latest incarnation does nothing to turn the volume down.
Not everyone will love it, but Nissan knows that you don’t need everyone to buy your product. Especially not with a product as niche as this one. The regular Juke got plenty of people out of their superminis and into the small SUV, so can the latest Nismo RS take its fair share of the hot-hatch market? Let’s take a look.
The front looks mean, with its front splitter and two gaping grilles sucking in air. Wheel arches flare in anger, protecting their bespoke 18-inch alloys, side skirts are deeper and the wheelbase is shorter. This is a car as chunky as it’s funky.
The deeper bumper at the back and a mean tailpipe give the Juke low, wide appeal. There’s a boot-lip spoiler and fiery red accents on the mirrors and brake calipers.
Inside, it’s all about the driver, and you’ll feel spoiled. The steering wheel comes wrapped in Alcantara, the sports seats are a tactile treat in suede. The contrast red stitching adds yet another sporty touch.
The Nismo RS comes with plenty of toys to play around with, including climate and cruise control. A 5.8-inch touchscreen is where you’ll view the sat-nav and reversing camera. Performance-wise, the ride is smooth and there are 215 horses under the bonnet to help you gallop from 0 to 60 in under eight seconds.
In the boot, there’s a flexible floor that gives you the alternative of a generous 354-litre area or a more secure, hidden area meaning that this model isn't just about performance, it's practical too.
In summary, if you march to a slightly different beat from the rest of the crowd, you should march right on down to the showrooms at West Way to test drive the Nismo RS.