Nissan JUKE with new hybrid powertrain

Nissan JUKE, the brand's iconic urban crossover, will soon receive a new powertrain. It will be a hybrid design, providing sufficient performance combined with lower fuel consumption and reduced CO2 emissions.

“Nissan's electrification strategy is gaining momentum. The JUKE hybrid will be added to the range later this year, marking another milestone in our strategic goal of electrifying all models by 2023.” Said Guillaume Cartier, president of Nissan in the AMIEO region.

Nissan JUK Hybrid 2022

JUKE Hybrid will be equipped with a multi-mode hybrid transmission. Unlike other hybrid designs, where the electric motor is just a supplement to the internal combustion engine, it offers users significant benefits:

• Electric drive only (every time)
• Driving pleasure in all conditions
• Extremely low fuel consumption thanks to an intelligent multi-mode transmission, efficient braking with energy recovery and a powerful battery.

A key assumption in the development of the hybrid powertrain was to provide JUKE customers with exceptional driving pleasure. A new, powerful, responsive and economical powertrain will cope with this task.

Efficient internal combustion engine thanks to Alliance collaboration

The new hybrid powertrain makes full use of the Alliance's technical capabilities.

The powertrain includes Nissan's next-generation high-tech internal combustion engine, designed specifically for hybrid operation, which develops 69 kW (94 hp) and up to 148 Nm of torque.

Electric drive is provided by a 36 kW (49 hp) Nissan electric motor with 205 Nm of torque. Renault comes with a 15kW high-voltage starter generator, inverter and 1.2kWh liquid-cooled battery pack, as well as an innovative gearbox.

This unit delivers 25 % more power than the current JUKE gasoline engine, with fuel savings of up to 40 % city and 20 % combined (data pending approval).

Intelligent automatic transmission

An essential component of Nissan JUKE Hybrid driving pleasure is an advanced friction-reduced multi-mode transmission that optimizes the performance of the electric motor, combustion engine, or both.

To reduce friction inside the gearbox, instead of conventional synchronizers, clutches are used to shift four gears in an internal combustion engine and two in an electric drive. Eliminating the traditional clutch serves the same purpose. The car always starts in 100% electric mode. Two electric actuators synchronize gear shifting for smooth and dynamic acceleration.

The transmission is controlled by an advanced algorithm that manages gear shifting, battery charging and innovative series-parallel system operation. The powertrain can operate in a variety of hybrid modes (series, parallel or series-parallel) depending on the actual need for acceleration and power. Switching modes is distinguished by a high culture of work and does not require the participation of the driver. As a result, it can always count on smooth and fast vehicle response while maintaining low emissions and optimum fuel consumption – a solution that combines the advantages of both types of drive.

Driving experience like in an electric car

The Nissan JUKE hybrid intelligent system manages the powertrain based on a range of parameters to optimize all-electric runtime. During testing, Nissan engineers were able to achieve up to 80% city driving times in 100% electric mode. Short hybrid phases recharged the battery, after which the car switched back to electric power. Not only does the JUKE Hybrid start in electric mode, but the electric motor can also accelerate it to 55 km/h so that the driver can enjoy the unrivaled driving pleasure and driving experience just like in an electric car.

The system automatically makes the most of the electric driving mode. The driver of the Nissan JUKE Hybrid can also activate this mode himself when he or she does not want to start the internal combustion engine - for example, when driving in residential buildings, near a school, in a parking lot, at a driveway window or in a traffic jam. As soon as the battery condition allows, the JUKE Hybrid will use only electric drive.

Energy recovery braking

When braking, the electric motor acts as a generator, converting kinetic energy into electricity. It is stored in the battery that powers the hybrid drive.

The advanced braking system combines regenerative braking with traditional frictional mechanical braking for efficient energy management while maintaining a natural brake pedal feel. The driver does not even notice the interaction of the two systems - the pedal works continuously and gives an intuitive feeling.

The JUKE Hybrid is equipped with a driving mode switch that allows the driver to select Eco, Normal or Sport modes. Different modes affect the power of the power steering, the operation of the air conditioning system and the characteristics of the accelerator pedal. In the case of the new hybrid powertrain, the regenerative braking function and charging of the traction battery also depend on the selected driving mode. For example, in sport mode, braking energy regeneration is set to a high level to provide maximum power for dynamic acceleration.

Smooth city driving with electronic pedal

Like the all-electric LEAF, the JUKE Hybrid will also feature Nissan's electronic pedal, which allows you to control acceleration and braking with just the accelerator pedal. When the driver takes his foot off the accelerator pedal, the vehicle starts to brake (up to 0.15 g) until the critical speed is reached (approx. 5 km/h). In certain situations, and if it is necessary to completely stop the car, it may be necessary to additionally press the brake pedal (for convenience, you can turn on the "auto hold" function to keep the car stationary). The driver quickly gets used to the intuitive use of the electronic pedal. City driving becomes less stressful and smoother, and the battery is fully charged by the energy recovered during braking and deceleration, providing even more driving pleasure, like in an electric car.

Changes in appearance

The hybrid version of JUKE retained the style of a sports coupe-crossover. We have taken care of every detail: numerous small changes are aimed at optimizing aerodynamic efficiency and emphasize that the JUKE Hybrid is an electrified vehicle. There are Hybrid badges on the front doors and trunk lid.

The JUKE Hybrid's grille features a new Nissan logo and a high-gloss black stripe along the line of contact with the hood, reminiscent of other Nissan electrified vehicles.

The grille itself has a mesh structure, and the less need for cooling the engine compartment in the hybrid version has reduced airflow openings and improved aerodynamics. The changes also affected the lower part of the body under the bumper. The hybrid version adds a shutter in the grille that automatically opens or closes the cooling air supply as needed, minimizing the vehicle's frontal aerodynamic drag.

The reshaped spoiler above the rear window improves airflow behind the car. The moldings on the front wheels have also been changed and relocated, and an additional cover has been installed under the rear axle to improve aerodynamic performance around the car.

The Nissan JUKE Hybrid will also feature new 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels (also on combustion engine versions) and 19-inch dual-tone alloy wheels similar to those found on the Nissan Ariya for even more attractive looks and performance. aerodynamic.

Interior changes

The right dial of the dashboard is the speedometer, and the left dial is the power indicator, the arrow of which moves between the fields "charging" when regenerating energy when braking, "eco" when driving in electric mode and "power". » (power) when the gasoline engine and the electric engine are running at the same time. There is also a battery indicator at the bottom of the left dial.

The energy flow diagram can be displayed on the 7-inch screen between the clock on the instrument cluster. Clear and transparent animation allows the driver to understand the principle and operation of the vehicle's drive system.

The e-Pedal function button is located on the center console behind the electric parking brake button, and the 100% electric mode activation button is located between the center air vents. When the e-Pedal and EV functions are activated, this information appears at the bottom of the instrument cluster screen.

The luggage compartment volume of the hybrid version is 354 liters, which is 68 liters less than the internal combustion version due to the presence of a 1.2 kWh battery. With the rear sofa folded down, the luggage compartment remains the largest in its class (1237 liters). The amount of space at knee height (553 mm) has not changed either.

“The launch of the new JUKE Hybrid this summer will be another key step in completing Nissan's electrified vehicle lineup. We are in the midst of an electrified product offensive where we place equal emphasis on environmental performance and driving pleasure. Like all of our electrified models, the JUKE Hybrid will be a game-changer in its segment with bold innovations to improve performance and efficiency,” said Arnaud Charpentier, Vice President of Product Strategy and Pricing for AMIEO, Nissan.

Photo: Nissan