Nissan SA has added a seventh derivative to its Juke range in South Africa with the release of the 1.5dCi Acenta+.
While a turbodiesel variant of Nissan's quirky crossover, following as it does hard on the tailpipe of the Juke CVT and all wheel-drive models, may seem counter-intuitive for a sporty little city car whose appeal is based on punching above its weight, product manager Nancy Reddy insists it makes perfect sense.
“The Juke is for drivers who dare to be different,” she said, “and the new diesel adds another dimension to that, whether returning amazing fuel-consumption figures or enjoying its torquey performance from robot to robot.
“Drive it like your hair's on fire or cruise around as relaxed as a lizard in the sun - the choice is yours.”
NUTS AND BOLTS
The Juke's sixth-generation 1.5-litre dCi - which needs 50ppm or low-sulphur diesel fuel - has been upgraded with revised piezo-electric fuel-injection nozzles that reduce unburnt fuel after the combustion process thanks to a more precise spray pattern and a new low-inertia, variable geometry turbocharger with a more direct intake manifold.
Diamond-like coatings on the tappets (a technology borrowed from Formula One) reduce both noise and friction - so much so that Nissan's petrol engines are getting it as well.
EURO 6-COMPLIANT
A new thermostatically-controlled, variable-displacement oil pump also helps to reduce internal friction, while a closed-loop, low-pressure exhaust gas recycling system - cooling exhaust gases and feeding them back into the intake plumbing to re-use unburnt fuel - helps make the engine Euro 6-compliant (and, at a CO2 rating of 109g/km, exempts Juke diesel customers from emissions tax).
Even the idle-stop function has been tweaked with upgraded ECU mapping for a quicker re-start; Nissan promises the little diesel will be up and running within half a second of the driver pressing the clutch pedal.
The ratios in the six-speed manual gearbox have also been revised; the first two are shorter for improved acceleration off the line, the top for are longer for relaxed cruising and lower fuel-consumption. Whether that leaves an uncomfortable gap between second and third, we'll find out when we drive one.
BOTTOM LINE
The 1.5 dCi is rated for 81kW at 4000rpm and a 260Nm (20Nm up from the previous edition) from 1500 revs, while three drive modes - Normal, Eco and Sport - allow the driver to adjust the Juke diesel's personality to suit the mood.
In Eco mode peak torque is limited to 220Nm (with the full 260 available in kick-down) allowing Nissan's feather-footed test drivers to return 4.2 litres per 100km on the combined cycle, while Sport mode sharpens up the power delivery, pedal feel and throttle sensitivity.
WHAT YOU GET
Standard kit includes 17” alloys, front foglights, keyless entry and a start/stop button, an immobiliser, electrically adjustable and folding door mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, electric windows all round, privacy glass in the rear, a multifunction leather-bound steering wheel, trip data computer, Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free telephony and audio streaming, a quality four-speaker audio system with USB and iPod ports, cruise control with a speed limiter, six cup or bottle holders, two-tone suede-touch upholstery and a leather-trimmed gear lever.
WHAT YOU PAY
The Nissan Juke 1.5 dCi Acenta+ retails at R263 800, which includes a three-year or 100 000km warranty and a three-year or 90 000km service plan.
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