Nissan offers CVT ’box for Juke

THE JUKE has been somewhat of a fluke for Nissan SA, with solid sales figures of 6 600 units since its introduction in late 2011 raising an eyebrow or two.

To widen that crossover target market locally the Japanese carmaker is now bringing in CVT derivatives, in both traditional front-wheel and new All-Wheel Drive (AWD) guises.

Nissan reckons the updated continuously variable transmis- sion technology allows for over 1 000 gearing patterns – dependent on throttle inputs – and can be compared to more conventional torque-converter auto ‘boxes in its execution. Nissan also promises better fuel consumption thanks to this software, which allows for a more-economical rev-range to be maintained.

The All-Mode 4x4i is available exclusively in the range-topping 1.6-litre turbo (which pushes 140kW and 240Nm), and like other soft-roaders will distribute torque automatically between front and rear wheels via a torque vectoring system dependent on driving conditions (it monitors steering input, yaw rate, lateral G and wheel speed).

The torque vectoring system will also manage power between the two rear-wheels via an electronically-controlled coupling to reduce understeer while cornering.

The Juke 1.6 Acenta+ CVT is priced at R249 900 while the Juke 1.6 DIG-T Tekna AWD CVT comes in at R314 900.