SHORT DRIVE NISSAN JUKE 16GT
Blown away
If you need some performance to make the Juke a more fun car to have, go for the turbo version.
What's new?
Earlier this year, we sampled Nissan's Juke with an entry-level 1.5-litre petrol engine and found the small crossover to be a rather funky car to buy with its bold, concept car-like styling. But it's more about cat-walking ability due to very basic performance.
This week, we're back again with a new 1.6-litre turbo-petrol motor with direct-injection tech that should answer the needs for Juke fans needing more driving fun to make the overall experience more special.
Like before, this pumped-up Juke is an unofficial import with prices more or less heading towards the fashionable Mini brand - another B-segment player that's obviously not meant for the average Jazz or Yaris buyer, but for those who don't mind spending money on a four-wheel toy.
As you can see in the accompanying graphic, the 16GT is substantially more powerful than the regular 15 model. And if you take pricing trends in the Thai grey market into consideration, the more performance-oriented Juke costs B200,000 more at B2.19m.
Interior looks the same as basic Juke.
What's cool?
The engine and transmission, to put it straight. With the presence of a blower, the 16GT performs effortlessly at virtually all kinds of speeds you would see on the speedo calibrated for Japan - the country from which the Juke has been imported.
Although the 16GT doesn't exactly feel the 190 horses it has under the bonnet nor is it as lively as in the 184hp Cooper S, the way the Juke moves around is still sumptuously rapid when you look at other cars on the road.
The CVT automatic transmission may mask some of the oomph in performance, but it certainly makes the overall driving smooth and refined.
Throw the gear level into the six-speed manual mode - the 15 doesn't have this - and note how quick the cogs swap. In fact, gear-shifting is nearly as fast as in a dual-clutch automatic from Volkswagen.
Despite the markedly increased level in performance, the handling and ride balance is just about right for Thai roads. There's enough ride comfort, handling is still taut and steering is direct and not heavy.
The interior is the same as in other Jukes, but the instrument cluster on the centre console swapping between air-con function and driving information is a nice touch, particularly the normal/sport/eco modes that makes much more sense in the 16GT than 15.
Engine is smooth and punchy.
What's not?
There's hardly any difference in visual terms between the two Jukes, so you might not feel particularly special when driving the 16GT even though understatement is a good thing for some people.
But aren't we talking about a stand-out import in the first place?
Then there's the inevitable compromise in fuel economy. You get more performance in the 16GT, but more visits to the fuel station. But again, should potential buyers with B2m to spare really care about gas bills?
Turbo sells for B2.19m.
Buy or bye?
If you love the Juke for the way it looks but don't need performance, the basic 15 version seals the deal.
But when a mere B200k (okay that's sensitive for a Honda Jazz or Toyota Yaris buyer needing to fork out B600-700k) earns more driving performance - by that we mean a combination of fun performance and peace-of-mind overtaking power - the 16GT is very enticing at that price premium.
Therefore, not much needs to be said for this turbocharged version of the Juke.
Test car courtesy of Eton Auto Import.
Chassis balance is good.
4x4 TECH
For another B100,000, Eton says buyers can get the Juke with four-wheel-drive system that also comes with multi-link rear suspension in place of the torsion beam layout used in the front-wheel-drive version as tested in the main story.
This isn't an ordinary 4x4 setup, though. The Juke's system not only varies torque between the front and rear axles but also between the left and right rear wheels. In theory, this makes for neat handling in demanding road conditions.
4WD for tidy handling and grip.
But as we found out in the FWD 16GT, grip is still more than enough while understeer is quite well-contained even when the car is pushed hard in corners. That said, 4WD should be unnecessary for most drivers.
But if you really need a dynamic driving experience - as well as a Juke with complete technological innovations - B2.3m still doesn't sound bad at all, especially when you think of a Mini Countryman that costs B1m more.
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
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