Nissan Juke Nismo Concept Sports

Nissan just couldn't wait for the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show on Wednesday to share the news on a fresh concept version of its Juke crossover prepared by its in-house motorsports and performance division, Nismo.

Unlike the extremely radical Juke-R project, which features the inner works of the GT-R sports car including its twin-turbo V6 engine and advanced all-wheel drive system, the Juke Nismo concept is a very realistic study for a down-to-earth sporty variant of the regular model.

“The global sales success of Nissan Juke has proved beyond doubt that customers are looking for something different,” said Andy Palmer, Executive Vice President of Nissan. “The Juke Nismo Concept takes that idea to the next level. It’s energetic, distinctive and highly desirable.”

Nismo's technical team started out by tuning the Juke's 1.6-liter direct injection turbo gasoline engine that has been uprated to deliver more power and performance, though Nissan didn't provide any specific numbers. For the record, in standard JDM trim, the four-cylinder engine produces 190-horses.

They then proceeded with the chasses that was lowered and stiffened using parts of the same kind that will be available from Nismo’s parts catalogue. The 19-inch multispoke alloy wheels with wider tires round out the performance improvements.

No tune is complete without a visual makeover, and Nismo doesn't disappoint with a new aero kit that bundles a revised front bumper and grille, side skirts, wider fenders, side skirts, a new roof spoiler, different mirrors and a bespoke rear bumper that houses a diffuser and the twin chrome exhaust pipes. The Juke Nismo is finished in a white paint with red highlights.

We won't see the interior until Wednesday, but Nissan tells us that the Juke Nismo's cabin has been upgraded with several sporty touches that include the steering wheel, pedals, gauges, shifter knob, door trims and bucket seats.

Nissan Plans Major Expansion for its Nismo Performance Division

If you are a gaming, racecar, then you already know about Nismo. For the rest, it’s an abbreviation of Nissan Motorsports, the Japanese carmaker’s in-house performance division established in 1984.

Yet its activities have been restricted mainly in motorsports, where it has been involved with great success in events like the FIA GT1 World Championship, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and of course, numerous racing series in Japan .

Its road car presence has been limited to tuning parts and a very small number of special edition models such as the 370Z NISMO (Fairlady Z in Japan). But this will soon change as Nissan announced today the initiation of a major expansion program for its performance arm which will use its race and tuning expertise to spice up the company’s road cars.

"Nismo has carved out an enviable reputation in motor racing", said Carlos Ghosn, Nissan President and CEO. “In fact, in 2011, Nismo cars and engines won in every category they competed in - the first time we have achieved this milestone."

"The time is now right to let ordinary drivers experience what our racing drivers enjoy every time they head out onto the track. We aim to bring Nismo's passion and focus on driving excitement to mainstream models, and the Juke Nismo Concept shows what we can do”, he added.

Ghosn’s intention to compete with other carmakers’ performance divisions, like BMW’s M and Mercedes-Benz’ AMG, is more than evident in the building of an all-new global Nismo headquarters in Tsurumi, Yokohama, in the beginning of 2013.

Looks like the Juke Nismo Concept is just the warning shot in the war Ghosn is planning to wage against rivals in the performance segment.

New Nissan Juke-R Video Highlights Super Crossover

You didn't think that Nissan was done with the Juke-R project just because it released pictures and videos of the completed prototype, did you?

And sure enough, after last week's revelation, the Japanese carmaker published the eighth installment of the Juke-R's ongoing video series.

The latest clip charts the changes that took place under the body in order to make the Juke-R handle like the GT-R. Aside from the all-wheel drive system, the small crossover also borrows 2011 GT-R's brake package while featuring a bespoke suspension set up and a purpose-built roll cage.

"The Juke R is something you can take down to Tesco's [Britain's equivalent of Walmart], you can drive it, you can take your kids to school and then go and beat a [Porsche] 911 on the Nordschleife," says Darren Cox, General Manager, crossover and sports for Nissan Europe.