New Nissan Juke: Electric and Traditional Engines
The next generation of the Nissan Juke, expected in Europe as early as next year, will get an electric version. However, unlike previous plans, the company may continue production of petrol versions of this popular compact model. This is due to changes in market demand and varying paces of transition to electric vehicles in different countries.
As sources report, the electric version of the Juke will be built on the CM-EV platform, which is already used by the Nissan Ariya and Renault Megane E-Tech. Production will begin at the plant in the UK. The design of the new model is inspired by the Hyper Punk concept.
“Given the varying paces of transition to electric vehicles in Europe, we are considering the possibility of continuing production of the Juke with an internal combustion engine,” said Alexandre Armada, Head of Product Planning for Nissan Europe.
Why might Nissan keep petrol versions?
The Juke remains one of the brand’s most popular crossovers in Europe, second only to the Qashqai. The current model is offered with a 1.0-liter turbocharged engine (114 hp) and a 1.6-liter hybrid version (143 hp). The electric version is likely to be more expensive, which could affect its sales.
Technical details of the electric Juke have not yet been disclosed, but it is expected to receive batteries with a capacity of 63 or 87 kWh, like the Ariya. An option with a smaller battery (40-55 kWh) for urban use is also possible. The new model’s competitors will include the Jeep Avenger EV, Kia EV3, Hyundai Kona Electric, and others.
Nissan’s decision to consider parallel production of different versions of the Juke reflects a general trend in the automotive industry. Many manufacturers face the need to balance environmental goals with actual consumer demand, which is not always ready for a full transition to electric vehicles. This is especially true for compact models, where price plays a decisive role.