Nissan’s new head-turner, the Juke, hits New Zealand streets

February 13, 2012

Nissan’s new head-turner, the Juke, hits New Zealand streets from Thursday

Already surpassing sales expectations in several offshore markets including the United Kingdom, Japan and United States, the Juke is sure to have people talking.

Described as the baby brother to the highly successful Nissan Qashqai, the Juke’s “dare to be different” shape and unique design features are the brainchild of Nissan Design Europe Director Paul Garside and his young, London-based design team.

At an average age somewhere in the early-30s, Garside’s team provides a fresh, youthful approach to vehicle design; one which has seen them responsible for not just the Juke, but also the hugely successful Qashqai and high performance GT-R vehicles that have also tumbled out of their uber cool design studio, tucked away in a 1960s-style building just north of Paddington in London’s Little Venice.

Part SUV, part sports car, Garside and his team took inspiration from the dune buggy, to create the Juke – a funky alternative to a conventional hatchback.

Garside is in New Zealand this week to launch the Juke, which he describes as polarising among consumers; a Marmite vehicle – “people either love it or hate it”.

“Obviously there was some risk involved in designing a vehicle that was a fresh approach, but sales in Europe have taken off and demand continues,” says Garside.

Nissan New Zealand Managing Director, John Manley, is confident Kiwis will embrace the Juke’s unusual style and says the Juke is perfect for New Zealand’s driving conditions. “We believe New Zealand motorists will really take to this vehicle and its innovative features.”

Innovation is right across the Juke’s design, from the interior motorcycle-inspired central console and screen graphics, to the distinctive exterior, which combines the look of an all-wheel drive (AWD) crossover, mashed with a sports car.

The Juke comes in seven snazzy exterior colours and will be available at 33 Nissan dealerships up and down the country from Thursday in two models – the ST at $31.990 and Ti at $33,990.

“It’s a fun sort of hatch,” says Manley, who can’t wait to see the first Jukes on New Zealand roads.

Join Paul Garside, Director of Nissan Design Europe, for an informal session to discuss Nissan’s latest statement in style, sophistication and superior design – the Juke.

Already described by New Zealand motoring media as “fun”, funky” and even “jaunty”, come and hear how Garside and his London-based design team “dared to be different” and arrived at the Juke’s revolutionary new design.

Dan Thompson, Nissan Motor Co. Australia CEO, will also be in attendance – and both Paul and Dan are available for one-on-one interviews after the session.

Nissan Juke launch – media conference
Wednesday, 15 February 2012 – 4.30pm
Regatta Room A, Pullman Hotel, cnr Princes Street and Waterloo Quadrant, Auckland city

ENDS

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