The JUKE NISMO RS comes complete from the factory with more horsepower and more attitude than any other JUKE. This ultimate JUKE includes unique engine, suspension, steering and brake tuning enhancements (versus the JUKE NISMO and standard JUKE models).
The JUKE NISMO RS starts with the standard JUKE inline 4-cylinder 1.6-liter DOHC aluminum-alloy Direct Injection Gasoline (DIGÔ) turbocharged engine and goes from there. While the base engine is rated at 188 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, the JUKE NISMO RS increases the engine’s performance to 215 horsepower (at 6,000 rpm) and 210 lb-ft of torque (from 3,600 to 4,800 rpm) for the 6-speed manual transmission-equipped front-wheel drive model.
The JUKE NISMO RS AWD with Xtronic transmission is rated at 211 horsepower (at 6,000 rpm) and 184 lb-ft of torque (from 2,400 to 6,000 rpm).
Changes to the engine to create the higher power and torque figures include optimized engine control (ECU) settings and a revised exhaust system with a larger main tube diameter and revised baffling. The JUKE NISMO RS’s exhaust has also been tuned to create a highly visceral sound, worthy of its racing-inspired roots. The exhaust system is capped by a chromed tailpipe finisher.
The engine’s connecting rod durability has also been enhanced for use with higher torque settings with the manual transmission, along with a strengthened clutch cover and dual mass flywheel. The high capacity 6-speed manual used in the JUKE NISMO RS is a different transmission than available in the JUKE NISMO manual transmission model and uses an optimized gear set and a shorter final drive ratio (4.428:1 NISMO RS, 3.933:1 NISMO) for quicker acceleration.
Manual transmission-equipped NISMO RS models also offer a standard helical-geared Limited-Slip Differential (LSD) to direct more power to the front wheel with the most traction, helping maintain acceleration during cornering. It also helps reduce torque steer, adding to the sense of driving excitement.
All-Wheel Drive JUKE NISMO RS models also offer improved acceleration and a sportier driving feel. With its steering column-mounted paddle shifters, NISMO RS AWD’s Xtronic transmission utilizes technology found in the Nissan Maxima sports sedan for an available manual feel. The Xtronic’s manual mode offers eight-step “gearing,” versus the JUKE NISMO Xtronic’s seven and base JUKE Xtronic’s six steps.
In addition, the advanced torque vectoring AWD system has been specially tuned for the NISMO RS’s increased active cornering, helping provide better line control through corners. The system – standard in all JUKE AWD models – is designed to limit understeer by increasing torque to the outside rear wheel, helping the car follow its intended course, while enhancing agility, giving the JUKE NISMO exceptional ride comfort and handling in spite of its higher ground clearance when compared to compact cars. Torque can be split up to a maximum of 50:50 front to rear, as well as shifted from side-to-side across the rear axle, up to 50 percent per wheel.
Information collected by various sources (measuring wheel speed, steering angle, yaw rate and lateral G-force) is interpreted to anticipate the driver’s intention. System actions are relayed to the driver via a real-time graphic display on the instrument panel depicting the torque distribution under all conditions.
Also adding a significant boost to JUKE NISMO RS’s engaging driving dynamics is a series of special body and chassis reinforcements designed to help increase overall rigidity. The additional reinforcements and fixing points are used primarily to increase steering precision and quicker response of the NISMO RS (versus the JUKE NISMO).
