New Nissan JUKE: Designed to thrill

The facelifted Euro-spec Nissan Juke has made its first public appearance at the ongoing Geneva show, looking… not very different. In Nissan's words, "to radically alter the proportions would undermine the Juke's unmistakable presence," and we couldn't agree more.

There are now 370Z-inspired headlamps (now xenons, incorporating LED DRLs as standard), revised tail lamp graphics (now with LED light guides), updated front and rear bumpers, a slightly-changed grille and new 16- to 18-inch alloys. The door mirrors now hold LED indicators and, where fitted, Around View Monitor cameras.

More changes are to be found under the skin. A new 113 hp/190 Nm turbocharged 1.2 litre DIG-T engine replaces the naturally-aspirated 117 hp/142 Nm 1.6 litre HR16DE unit.

Fuel economy and CO2 emissions for the 1.2 litre DIG-T are a claimed 5.5 litres per 100 km and 126 grams per km respectively (2WD, start-stop as standard).

The 1.6 litre DIG-T engine has been enhanced to give more low-end torque. Its compression ratio has been upped from 9.5 to 10.5, and there're improved low-friction technologies and cooled exhaust gas recirculation.

The facelifted Nissan Juke 1.6 DIG-T 4WD comes with a six-speed manual as standard; Xtronic CVT optional. In 2WD versions, luggage space is up by 40% to 354 litres, thanks to changes in the boot area. A sunroof is available as an option.

Where tech's concerned, Nissan Dynamic Control is available on select variants, offering Normal, Sport and Eco driving modes. The latest-gen 5.8-inch NissanConnect touch-screen also features, along with Nissan Safety Shield (Around View Monitor, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Warning, Moving Object Detection).

The Nissan Juke facelift also introduces a range of personalisation options for outside and inside - you can specify what colour you want your mirror caps, headlamp finishers, bumper inserts, centre console, seats, gear knob, door trim etc. to be in.