NISSAN #1 - Paris welcomes the Nissan Juke NISMO, aggressiveness with the look only a mother could love.

• New Nissan Juke NISMO RS priced from on sale in December 2014
• 1.6-litre DIG T engine produces 218PS – 18PS more than Juke NISMO
• Sharper handling for a more focussed drive
• Mechanical Limited slip differential standard on 2WD models
• Choice of six-speed manual or Paddle-shift Xtronic transmission with eight-speed manual mode
• Prices from £21,650 OTR

The wait is nearly over: the Nissan Juke NISMO RS is set to storm into showrooms across Europe in December and priced from £21,650 OTR. The arrival of the new RS model marks the start of a second exciting chapter in the history of the Juke NISMO and further expands Nissan’s growing NISMO road car line-up.

First previewed at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, the Juke NISMO RS has undergone a thorough NISMO development programme, and follows hot in the wheel-tracks of the flagship Nissan GT-R NISMO.

Confirming Nissan’s reputation for delivering excitement and motorsport-developed technologies to the broadest possible audience, the new Juke NISMO RS features a host of enhancements over the standard NISMO model. With more performance, a sharper chassis set-up, more powerful brakes and extra equipment, the new RS is an even more extreme and focussed version of Nissan’s acclaimed compact crossover.

Like every NISMO model, the RS is infused with motorsport-inspired design, aerodynamics and maverick engineering to deliver thrilling performance and handling in a road car.

"With Nissan Juke NISMO already accounting for a growing number of all Juke sales in Europe, the enthusiasts' desire for more performance is clearly there. The new NISMO RS version offers just that and cements NISMO's reputation as creators of digital age performance," said Guillaume Cartier, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing for Nissan in Europe.

Benefiting from NISMO's extensive global motorsport experience, the NISMO RS's advanced 1.6-litre DIG-T engine has been reworked to boost power to 218PS (160kW) from 200PS (147kW) while torque in two-wheel drive/manual transmission versions is increased from an already impressive 250Nm to 280Nm. To ensure the chassis can successfully transfer the extra torque to the road, 2WD models also benefit from the addition of a mechanical Limited Slip Differential (LSD) on the driven front wheels.

Four-wheel drive models feature Nissan’s advanced Torque Vectoring System as standard, along with Nissan's Xtronic transmission and 250Nm of torque. Xtronic transmission models also feature standard-fit steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts to control the eight-speed manual mode.

The NISMO RS’s performance gains are matched by a sportier soundtrack courtesy of a retuned exhaust system with a large diameter silencer.

Other improvements linked to the increased engine performance include strategic body strengthening to increase torsional stiffness still further, and a braking system that has been enhanced for even better resistance to fade under repeated hard use. Front disc size has increased from 296mm to 320mm, while the rear discs are now ventilated. Revised spring and damper settings complete the chassis changes.

The Juke NISMO RS is set apart with red brake callipers and discreet ‘RS' badging on the front and rear. Inside, the RS logo appears in the rev counter while a distinctive suede wrap covers the instrument binnacle. The final finishing touch inside is an eye-catching water print finish on the shift knob/paddle shifters and the central cluster.

Options on the RS version include special Recaro sports "bucket" seats and the Safety Pack that includes the following: Xenon headlamps, Nissan's Around View Monitor and Safety Shield, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Warning and Moving Object Detection giving visual and audible warnings to avoid potential collisions.

The new Juke NISMO RS is available in a choice of three exterior colours – Storm White, Pearl Black and Blade Silver - with a single bespoke interior treatment.

The NISMO RS's aerodynamically-optimised exterior has lower front and rear bumpers, wider wings and sill side skirts, plus a dark chrome V-motion grille - complete with Nissan's new brand signature - and tailgate spoiler to better control airflow. Developed using experience gained on the racetrack, the aerodynamic upgrades reduce front and rear lift without increasing drag.

NISMO exterior design cues include red door mirror caps and a red pinstripe that encircles the bottom of the car. The picture is completed with new LED daytime running lights set within the lower air intake grilles at the front of the car, while eye-catching 18-inch alloy wheels accentuate the new Juke's bold stance.

The NISMO treatment continues inside with a performance-oriented steering wheel, pedals, gauges, gear knob and door trims. Special suede-trimmed NISMO sports seats with red stitching provide extra support and comfort during cornering.

The NISMO RS also benefit from a number of further changes introduced across the entire new Juke range. The most obvious external changes include redesigned upper lamps, revised ‘boomerang' tail lamps and door mirrors which incorporate LED side turn strip repeaters.

Despite its performance potential, the Juke NISMO remains highly practical. 2WD versions now benefit from a 40 per cent increase in carrying capacity, for example, thanks to subtle reshaping of the luggage area, while a two-stage floor and fold flat rear seats make the space even more flexible.

"New Juke NISMO RS conforms exactly to the NISMO ethos, providing an instant performance feeling in a premium design inspired by our motorsport activities. The result is engaging, exciting and accessible," said Guillaume Cartier, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing for Nissan in Europe.