Nissan has announced that the production version of Nissan Juke Nismo will make its global debut at the Le Mans 24 hour this weekend alongside the Nissan DeltaWing and Juke-R.

Previously revealed as a concept at the Tokyo and Geneva International Motor Shows, this is the first glimpse of Nismo’s performance DNA which will make the eagerly awaited transition from racetrack to road in early 2013, a statement from Nissan said.

Its Nismo product range, developed by the brand’s motorsport and personalisation division in Japan, offers distinctiveness and individuality as well as sports orientated handling, performance and excitement to standard Nissan cars starting with the Juke.

The Nismo combines the current Nissan Juke design, with a unique blend of sports coupé lines and SUV styling, influenced by Nismo’s motor sport expertise.

The new model features lower front and rear bumpers, wider wings and sill side skirts, and a modified grille and tailgate spoiler which controls airflow. These aerodynamic enhancements reduce front and rear lift without increasing drag enhancing the Juke Nismo’s driving performance.

Stylish new 18-inch alloy wheels with wider tyres offer improved grip, and further boosts the Juke’s on-road presence, the statement said.

The Nismo is enhanced with a tuned-up version of its 1.6-litre direct injection turbocharged petrol engine, inspired by the one installed in Nissan’s DeltaWing Le Mans race car, it said.

Andy Palmer, executive vice president, global product planning, said: “The introduction of Juke Nismo further cements our dedication to provide innovation and excitement for everyone. The Juke, with its radical design and pioneering attitude, is the natural choice to be one of the first Nissan models to receive the legendary performance and distinctive design treatment from our Nismo specialists.”

The Juke Nismo will be built at Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK in Sunderland, and sales in Europe are due to start early 2013. The model will be available in Japan and US at a later date. – TradeArabia News Service