Nissan launches two new special editions based on the Compact Crossover - Juke.

Nissan launches two new Juke Special Versions

• Pioneering compact crossover range gets two new special versions
• Juke Tekna Pulse features upgraded sound system for improved in-car listening Exclusivity with a limited production run of only 1,500 models
• Special version Juke N-Connecta Style also joins the range
• Both versions feature exterior and interior personalisation packs included as standard

The original compact crossover, Nissan Juke now gets even more expressive with two stylish new special versions joining the range - the Juke Tekna Pulse and Juke N-Connecta Style – which are both on sale now.

Juke Tekna Pulse

Music fans take note. The Juke Tekna Pulse comes equipped with an upgraded and more powerful audio system, providing a more immersive listening experience than ever before.

The enhancement is one of a number of sophisticated features being introduced as standard on the Juke Tekna Pulse, offering customers exceptional value for money.

New speakers from respected French audio company Focal are at the heart of the upgraded Juke Tekna Pulse. Focal’s unique processing technology provides a more precise listening experience. The special 6-speaker sound system, engineered with signature polyglass, DFS and inverted dome aluminium technologies, delivers crystal-clear audio in an immersive soundscape.

Maximum power is raised from 40 watts to 120 watts in the front and rear speakers, and from 40 watts to 100 watts in the tweeters.

The Juke Tekna Pulse special version is available with a choice of two exterior colours – Metallic Black or Dark Grey – and each can be selected in either flagship Tekna or N-Connecta grade. Both feature the Juke’s black exterior personalisation pack and striking 18-inch alloy wheels with black inserts as standard.

Enhancements continue inside the cabin, with sports pedals and luxury floor mats included on all versions, further enhancing the black interior personalisation pack. Tekna models also come with premium leather seats, while N-Connecta grade examples receive new-to-Juke part-leather seats.

Prices for Juke Tekna Pulse start from £20,700 for the DIG-T 115 turbo petrol and £22,305 for the dCi 110 turbo diesel. A production run of just 1,500 cars is planned.

Juke N-Connecta Style

The Juke N-Connecta Style offers an enhanced version of the N-Connecta grade, with exterior and interior personalisation plus packs included. The Exterior Personalisation pack enhances Juke’s styling cues with colour co-ordinated bumper and headlight finishers, mirror covers, vibrant 18-inch alloy wheel inserts in Tokyo Black. The Interior Personalisation pack comprises premium sports seats with striking Tokyo Black trim to match the centre console and door strips. Xenon headlights are now also included as standard.

Juke N-Connecta Style is priced starting from £18,755 for the DIG-T 115 petrol engine, and £20,360 for the dCi 110 diesel engine.

Dacia Duster Commercial 4x4 wins ‘Best 4x4 Car-derived Van’ for the second consecutive year

• Dacia Duster Commercial 4x4 wins ‘Best 4x4 Car-derived Van’ for the second consecutive year
• Robust commercial SUV praised for its grip, ruggedness and affordability
• Priced from £10,095 (excl. VAT) – Duster is the most affordable new commercial SUV in the UK

The Dacia Duster Commercial 4x4 has been named ‘Best 4x4 Car-derived Van’ for the second consecutive year at the VansA2Z Awards 2017, held yesterday at Twickenham Stadium.

Based on the popular Dacia Duster compact SUV, and launched at the Commercial Vehicle Show 2015, the Duster Duster Commercial 4x4 was praised by judges for its off-road capability, driving style and value for money. 

The Duster Commercial offers the perfect package for many tradesmen – based on the passenger car version of the vehicle yet with a 1,604-litre maximum load capacity and cost benefits thanks to its classification as an LCV.

Neil McIntee, Editor, VansA2Z.com, said: “Dacia has made an excellent return to the UK light commercial market and the 4x4 version of its Duster Commercial is so good we had to make it our 4x4 Car-derived Van of the Year for the second consecutive time. It feels well put together with on-road ride and handling that far exceed expectations, and is much more capable off-road than it appears on paper; all at a very appealing price point.”

Louise O’Sullivan, Head of Dacia UK said: “We’re very proud to see the Duster Commercial 4x4 adding another trophy to its collection. The Duster Commercial 4x4 applies the Dacia philosophy to LCVs – providing a no-nonsense solution to businesses looking for an affordable and reliable vehicle that’s also capable of heading off-road when needed.”

The Dacia Duster Commercial 4x4 has a flat load area in lieu of rear seats and a payload of 550kg. Available in two different trim levels – Ambiance and Lauréate – the Duster Commercial 4x4 receives Bluetooth connectivity, electric front windows and a heated rear screen even on entry-level versions. The Lauréate version adds features such as cruise control, leather steering wheel, alloy wheels, air conditioning and electric heated door mirrors. 

The Duster Commercial is offered with one business-oriented diesel engine – the dCi 110 unit, the best-selling Groupe Renault diesel powertrain, either as a 4x2 or a robust, go-anywhere 4x4. The 4x2 dCi 110 returns up to 64.2mpg (NEDC Combined), with CO2 emissions as low as 115 g/km and is available from £10,095 (excluding VAT) for the Ambiance entry-level trim.  

Meanwhile, the 4x4 dCi 110 returns up to 60.1mpg (NEDC Combined), with CO2 emissions as low as 123 g/km and is available from £11,795 (excluding VAT) for the Ambiance trim.

Dacia offers a comprehensive selection of low-priced option packs to help owners secure payloads and protect their vehicle during a life of hard work. 

There is a choice of steel or mesh bulkheads between the passenger and cargo areas; privacy film for the tailgate window and mudguards.

The VansA2Z Awards are decided by the expert editorial team at the independent commercial vehicle website VansA2Z.com. VansA2Z provides essential information for anyone looking to buy and kit-out a light commercial vehicle. 

The VansA2Z Awards seek to reward the best products, companies and services in the industry for their ability to make life easier, cleaner, safer and more efficient for light commercial vehicle operators in the UK.

For the first time on the model since introduction in 2013, Nissan has listed a Limited Black Edition on the Qashqai.

• Qashqai Black Edition is first Special Version introduced since model was launched in 2013
• Based on top-spec Tekna grade with styling enhancements and powered by dCi 110 engine
• Limited production run is on sale now priced from £27,310 OTR

Nissan is pleased to introduce the stylish new Black Edition’ to the Qashqai line-up. A new flagship specification for the range, the Black Edition is the first Special Version of Qashqai available since the model was launched in 2013. Offered in a limited production run, the Black Edition is on sale now and priced from £27,310 OTR.

Based on the generously equipped Tekna grade, Black Edition enhancements include 19” Black Ibiscus alloy wheels, Pearl Black metallic paint, front and rear styling plates and ‘Black Edition’ badged door entry guards.

The model also gains the sleek Panoramic Roof with one-touch shade, making it the only Qashqai with a glass roof as standard – typically a £400 option on Tekna models.

Nissan’s suite of advanced safety and driver assist systems – collectively known as Nissan Safety Shield – are included on the car as standard. These include Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Forward Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Warning, Moving Object Detection and Driver Attention Alert.

Additional specification includes full black leather upholstery, Intelligent Park Assist, bi-LED headlights and the state-of-the-art NissanConnect infotainment system. Based around an integrated seven-inch high-resolution touch-screen, it includes DAB digital radio and satellite navigation. Nissan’s pioneering 360º Around View Monitor – to help with low-speed manoeuvres – is also fitted as standard.

The Qashqai Black Edition is powered by the frugal yet refined dCi 110 6-speed manual 2WD, which delivers 70.6mpg combined fuel economy and CO₂ emissions of just 103g/km.

Kieran McMenamin, Section Manager for Qashqai at Nissan Motors GB Ltd., commented; “Top-grade Tekna versions represent around one in three Qashqai purchases and recent reveals like the Qashqai Premium Concept identify a desire and demand for Qashqai to extend towards the higher end of the segment. As a new flagship for the range, the Black Edition is the definitive statement for Qashqai – luxury styling and generous specification but maintaining an accessible price point. In fact, at just £450 more than the equivalent Tekna, the model represents around £1200 in savings compared with individual Option prices on Tekna models.”

The multi-award-winning Qashqai’s impressive quality, styling and innovative technologies continue to make it the best-selling crossover in Europe. Since production began in 2013, a new Qashqai has been built every 62 seconds, or 58 per hour, at the plant in Sunderland, UK. In September 2015 the Nissan Qashqai became the fastest ever UK-built vehicle to smash the half million production mark.

Renault's Captur Dynamique Nav dCi 110 wins £17,500-£22,000 class at 2016 Caravan Club Award

• Captur Dynamique Nav dCi 110 wins £17,500-£22,000 class at 2016 Caravan Club Award
• Judges praised the amount of space available in the compact crossover
• Fuel economy and weight saving helped to secure win for Captur
• Captur is best-selling compact crossover in Europe
• Captur priced from £14,295

The Renault Captur has been awarded the title of Best Towcar of the Year in the £17,500 to £22,000 category at the 2016 Caravan Club Awards. The Captur, in Dynamique Nav dCi 110 guise, beat five competitors to secure the win having been put through its paces to test true ‘caravanability’.  

The judging criteria included value for money, load capacity and suitability for accommodating caravan paraphernalia, how easily it could be hooked up to a caravan and the quality of towing information contained in its handbook.

Commenting on the Captur’s practicality as a caravanning vehicle, the judges commented: “It was great to see such a diverse variety of vehicles entered into the competition this year. There is a vehicle choice for everyone’s needs, whether you tow a small trailer tent or a large twin-axle caravan.  On behalf of The Caravan Club, our congratulations go to all the winners and a special mention must go to the Renault Captur, which showed that light weight, economical cars can make great towcars!”

Sophie Richard, Product Manager, Renault UK, said: “Captur comes as standard with a number of practical storage and convenience features and with the optional Touring Pack fitted, the compact crossover is an accomplished and affordable caravanning vehicle.  We’re delighted with this award and that the judges at The Caravan Club have recognised Captur for its towing and touring abilities.”

Captur is available with an optional Touring Pack comprising of a quick release tow-bar, luggage boot net and front centre armrest.  Priced at £550, it turns the practical compact crossover into a convenient and comfortable towing and touring vehicle. 

Seven expert driving judges evaluated the Captur for its dynamic abilities and ergonomic qualities, with a test route including tight and twisty ‘country lanes’, 17 per cent hill stops and starts, circuits of a high-speed bowl and reversing tests over a four day test programme.

The Captur is currently Europe’s best-selling compact crossover and has sold over 416,000 examples worldwide since it was launched in 2013.

Priced from £14,295 the Captur is available in four trim levels with a choice of two petrol and two diesel engines, with CO2 emissions as low as 95g/km and combined cycle fuel economy of up to 78.5mpg.  The award-winning Dynamique Nav dCi 110 version can tow up to 900kg (braked) and its 110hp 1.5-litre turbodiesel engine has CO2 emissions of 98g/km, placing it in VED Band A, and combined cycle fuel economy of 76.4mpg.  It is priced at £17,695 and comes with a comprehensive specification including 17-inch alloy wheels, handsfree keycard, climate control, 7-inch touchscreen satellite navigation and cornering headlights.

You Do The Maths, has worked wonders for Dacia with 50,000 sold in the UK in just over two years.

• Dacia reaches 50,000 new car sales in UK
• Landmark firmly establishes Dacia as leading ‘value’ brand
• Milestone model is a Dacia Duster Lauréate
• Dacia was launched in the UK in January 2013

Dacia has clocked up its 50,000^th new car sale in the UK, confirming its position as the nation’s favourite value car brand. The smart-buy carmaker – known for its straight-talking approach and ‘shockingly affordable’ pricing – has reached the landmark despite only coming to the UK in 2013.

Dacia’s biggest seller in the UK has been the Sandero Stepway, with 16,834 sales, whilst the Duster, the UK’s most affordable SUV has accounted for 16,541 of the 50,000 total.

The Sandero, still the UK’s most affordable car, and Logan MCV have also proved very popular with cost-conscious car buyers, achieving 12,432 and 4,193 sales respectively.

According to the latest sales figures out today from the SMMT, Dacia has sold 9,849 new cars in the UK as at the end of April – a rise of 11.9 per cent on 2014 and representing a market share of 1.1 per cent. Sales in April were up 17.2 per cent on the same month last year at 2,320 vehicles with a market share for the month of 1.3 per cent.

Since landing in UK showrooms, Dacia has proved extremely popular with private buyers. So far in 2015, 96 per cent of Dacias sold in the UK have been retail sales.

The 50,000 milestone was reached just days after Dacia maintained its position as fifth best brand, ahead of many luxury and premium rivals, in the influential Auto Express Driver Power survey. 

Dacia drivers scored the brand highly for practicality, in-car technology and servicing costs and rated the brand number one for fuel economy and other running costs.

Commenting on Dacia’s performance, Andy Heiron, Dacia UK Brand Manager, said: “When Dacia arrived in the UK it immediately struck a chord with new car buyers looking for maximum value for money. And in a short space of time the brand has evolved and built a strong reputation that’s about much more than a low price point.

“We are now seeing lots of repeat business from customers moving into their second or even third Dacia, motorists moving up through the Dacia range and conquest business from other more established brands."

He added: “We’re absolutely delighted to have reached the 50,000 landmark so quickly and it gives us a very solid platform on which to build even further growth. There are exciting times ahead for Dacia in the UK.”

The 50,000^th Dacia sold was a Duster Lauréate dCi 110 4x2 in Khaki. It was sold by Westover Dacia in Corfe Mullen, Dorset, and was bought by Steve and Debbie Joy who part-exchanged another Duster they bought new when it was first launched.

After tens of thousands of miles of low cost fault-free motoring, the Joys, from Bournemouth, decided the time was right for a new car and the Duster was the only model on their radar.

To mark the occasion, the couple was presented by Dacia UK with a Dacia Service Plan – available on all Dacia models for a fee of £489 – which covers the cost of all routine servicing and maintenance for the first three years or 36,000 miles.

Steve Joy said: “I think for value for money and affordability, the Duster is top of its class. You just can’t beat it.”

“We couldn’t believe it when we were told our new car was the 50,000^th Dacia sold in the UK. Our original was one of the first to be delivered so it’s great,” he added.

Dacia is part of Renault Group (Renault cars, Renault vans and Dacia), which has experienced an unprecedented period of ahead-of-the-market growth over the last two years. 

This growth has continued into 2015 with 41,369 sales for the Group in the UK as at the end of April – up 17 per cent on the same period last year and representing a four per cent share of the UK car market.

Dacia Duster Black Edition available for UK customers to order now

• Dacia Duster Black Edition available for UK customers to order now
• One-off special edition smart-buy SUV released to celebrate July’s Goodwood Festival of Speed
• Award-winning SUV comes with meaner, more sporty look and is packed with extras

The ‘shockingly affordable’ Dacia Duster is now available in a Goodwood Festival of Speed special Black Edition.

Having taken the UK by storm since arriving at the start of this year, with over 4,000 orders to date already, the award-winning smart-buy SUV now looks even meaner for the price.

The Dacia Duster Ambiance dCi 110 4x2 Black Edition is loaded with extras, including a striking brushed black vinyl wrap finish, luxurious ash leather interior, hi-tech Kenwood media system and stylish 18” alloy wheels.  The media system includes a 6” high resolution screen, Garmin satellite navigation with TMC traffic information, DAB, Bluetooth with hands-free calling, ipod connectivity, DVD playback and rear USB connection.

With an on-the-road price of just £17,575, the Romanian SUV continues to blow the competition away when it comes to value for money.

The Black Edition was a one-off creation released to celebrate the historic Goodwood Festival of Speed – the largest car culture event in the world held in July.  Overwhelming interest at the event has resulted in the car now being available to be ordered by UK customers with first deliveries from October.

Phil York, Dacia’s UK Marketing Director, said: “The Dacia Duster Black Edition is a mean, more upmarket version of what is already a great selling vehicle. I challenge anybody to drive home such a great looking SUV, with or without 4x4, with so much kit for anywhere near the money.”

Already the nation’s “most affordable SUV” by a mile, Dacia Duster is also winning over more fans after being hailed one of its least depreciating new cars.

Dacia, a subsidiary of the French carmaker Renault, has made an enemy of the unnecessary and makes a simple range of cleverly designed, high quality vehicles which unashamedly favour function over frivolity. Its jaw-dropping prices are clear and straightforward, whether you buy online at the Dacia Store on www.dacia.co.uk or through its nationwide retailer network.

Dacia only launched officially in the UK in January 2013, but has already cleaned up nine major awards, including a hat-trick of trophies at the carbuyer.co.uk 2013 awards, including Car of Year and 4x4 of the Year, plus Scottish Car of the Year for Duster, and Best Supermini under £12,000 for Sandero with What Car?.