Regional sales of Nissan’s recently facelifted sub-compact crossover, the Nissan Juke, jumped to 668 vehicles per month, an increase of 127 per cent since the upgraded vehicle became available in the showrooms in February.

Since launching the financial year 2014 model of the Nissan Juke, Nissan has recorded average sales of 294 units per month between April 2014 and January 2015.

Nissan also revealed that the total number of Nissan Juke vehicles sold in February-March hit 1,336 with March witnessing the popular urban crossover record its best-ever GCC-wide monthly sales of 855 units. The year-on-year increase versus Financial Year 2013 is 42 per cent for the region.

Samir Cherfan, managing director, Nissan Middle East, said: “The impressive results are a testament to the Japanese auto maker’s innovation and experience in the Middle East and proof of Nissan’s commitment to delivering what customers want and an outstanding dealership network.”

“The Nissan Juke is in a highly-competitive segment but the sales since the facelifted version came on the market have been tremendous. However, the numbers are not surprising as the Nissan Juke set a new benchmark the moment it hit the Gulf showrooms.

“Nissan Juke is a unique vehicle and has been a major success since its inception. The market in the Middle East has taken it to its heart. It is comfortable ride and with rapid, sporty response. The vehicle achieving its best monthly sales on record in the region reflects how special the Juke is,” he added.

Nissan Juke’s GCC-wide SUV-S market share rose from 3.7 per cent in Financial Year 2013 to 4.2 per cent in financial year 2014.

While results throughout the region were strong, sales in the UAE for Financial Year 2014 were exceptional, increasing 64 per cent over the previous corresponding 12 months. It was a similar situation in Oman with sales soaring 62 per cent in the last financial year compared to 2013’s financial year.

The upgraded Nissan Juke retained signature aspects including its dramatic front-end design. It is powered by a choice of either a 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated engine or a 1.6-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, the latter being direct injection.

Three driving modes – normal, sport and eco – are available, along with a new audio system, the latest-generation NissanConnect connectivity technology.

Maximum engine power for S & SL Grade is 86(117)kW(ps)@6000rpm with 158Nm of torque. The SL Turbo grade has maximum engine power of 140(190)kW(ps)@ 5600rpm while torque is 240Nm.

The three grades are available for the new Nissan Juke, S, SL and SL Turbo.

Exterior revisions include tweaking the upper front lamps (now with LED daytime runners), updating the grille, toughening up the under-bumper trim, redesigning the door mirrors (adding LED repeaters and new rear view camera) and creating a more aggressive rear bumper to match the revised tail-lights which now have LED ‘light guide technology’.

Nissan Juke prices range from $17,970 to $23,140, a statement said. – TradeArabia News Service