While Audi’s plans for the U.S. market originally did not include the compact Q3 crossover, but Audi is re-considering the decision to not import the car after seeing the segment expand with offerings like the MINI Countryman, BMW X1 and the Nissan Juke.

While the Q5 starts at $35,200, Audi would likely have to price it closer to the MINI Countryman which retails between $21,650 and $26,950. A sub-$30,000 price tag might be uncomfortable for Audi and its positioning as a premium brand, but with the small crossover segment growing, it could be a chance for Audi to increase their overall volume in North America.

The Q3 would likely be powered by the corporate 2.0T engine, with the possibility of a 2.0L TDI diesel engine as well. The diesel offering could allow the Q3 to stake out a niche within the segment, and remain consistent with Audi’s overall diesel strategy.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

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Nissan knows exactly who the target audience of the new Juke is: young males. As though the crossover’s turbocharged direct-injection 4-cylinder and high-tech AWD system weren’t a sufficient argument, a new series of ads featuring a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model certainly speaks volumes.

The Juke is tested is against the model, Amber, in such categories as acceleration, agility, aerodynamics and curb appeal; and while these spots certainly pander to the lowest common denominator, they’re actually quite funny too.

Designed to help promote the Juke, and the 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition (on newsstands today), it’s just the latest example of Nissan’s clever marketing.

Vote for your favorite model here and read AutoGuide’s review of the new 2011 Nissan Juke here.

See the rest of the ads after the jump:

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Despite the harsh criticism leveled at the Nissan Juke, Nissan‘s…. erm…distinctive crossover is off to a pretty good start, according to sales data from Timothy Cain over at Good Car Bad Car.

In it’s first month on sale, Nissan sold 2103 Jukes, significantly more than the Honda Eelement or Volkswagen Tiguan, while closing in on the Mazda CX-7 and Kia Sportage.

We were worried that customers wouldn’t be able to get past the Juke’s styling, but that hardly seems to be an issue. Within Nissan, the Juke outsold every Infiniti product save for the G37 lineup, as well as the Nissan Xterra, Pathfinder, Titan, Armada, Cube and 370Z.  Not bad for such a polarizing car, and we’re delighted that the Juke is finding homes amongst American buyers.

[Source: Good Car Bad Car]

Nissan has a tradition of entertaining television ads that put a smile on your face, and their new Juke has a couple of comercials that continue that tradition.

The first is a Walter Mitty-esque spot where an ordinary office worker turns into a dashing mercenary of menial tasks thanks to his Juke, and the confidence it brings him. The second spot is a kind of futuristic fable where the new Juke challenges the authority of a monolith/robot known as “The Dread”. This one’s a little out there, but we have to admire Nissan’s creative team for not patronizing their target buyers, who according to demographic data, are more interest in playing Xbox than anything else.

Hit the jump to see the official press release

[Source: Nissan]

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Alright, we said it bluntly in our review of the 2011 Nissan Juke: it’s just ugly. No matter what angle you look at the car, it’s hard to discern its natural lines to be attractive. Nonetheless, the Nissan Juke is a fun car to drive at an affordable price and for those that care to be seen in something different, it’s an excellent option. And hell, some people really dig the styling of the Juke, proving there’s something for everyone.

But here is fantastic proof of what slight modifications can do to an otherwise unattractive body. The Photoshopist on hand took your run-of-the-mill Nissan Juke, dropped it to the ground and outfitted it with a set of Takata Green Volk Racing TE-37 wheels. And just like that, the Juke suddenly looks killer, it’s strange crossover shape becoming a much more attractive package when pretending to be a sporty coupe.

Knowing that there’s a potent 1.6L turbocharged motor under the hood, we have to believe that the tuners will be tinkering with the Juke in no time and hope to see more rolling around our streets.

[Source: SpeedHunters]

Read AutoGuide’s Nissan Juke Review by Clicking Here

Get more Nissan Juke news and info at JukeForum.com

Nissan‘s controversially styled Juke has been priced at $18,960 for the base Juke S, which comes with front-wheel drive and a CVT gearbox. The 6-speed manual version will cost $20,260, while cheapest four-wheel drive model Juke S AWD (which is only available with a CVT) will cost $20,460.  The top of the line Juke SL AWD will cost $24,550.

While the Juke is a strangle looking vehicle, its unique styling, turbocharged 188 horsepower engine and sophisticated torque-vectoring AWD system should make it an attractive proposition to the more upscale MINI Countryman and the rather staid Subaru Forester. The Juke will go on sale, but Autoguide is set to test drive the Juke next week at its launch in Vancouver, Canada.

[Source: Nissan]

Hit the jump to see the official press release and check out Juke Forums for more.

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Nissan’s new Juke crossover took its place in cinema history as it became the last car to traverse a parking lot used in the 1971 Michael Caine film “Get Carter”.

The structure, set to be demolished shortly, is located close to Nissan’s plant in Sunderland, England. The scene, where Michael Caine throws a villain to his death, took place at the parking lot.

Check out Juke Forums for more info

[Source: Auto Express]

The Nissan Juke is such a polarizing car that any predictions regarding sales numbers in North America are almost pointless – it really is a “love it or hate it” vehicle and trying to pin down consumers taste is almost a futile exercise.

Nissan must have faith in their diminutive crossover’s ability to sell here, and its doubtlessly due to the incredible sales the Juke is generating in Japan.

While Nissan estimated that there would be 1,300 orders in the first month of sales, the total came to 11,000. The largest demographic for the Juke are 20-29 year old men, a great statistic for a country where youth are rapidly losing interest in cars.

Hit the jump to read Nissan’s press release, and check out Juke Forums for more info

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Nearly a year after Nissan Canada launched a successful social media campaign for their Cube subcompact, the company is getting ready to launch their Juke compact SUV with an innovative microsite.

The microsite features an interactive, 360 degree view of the Juke, as well as product information relating to styling, technology, performance and “adaptability”.  In addition, technical specifications, photos and videos are made available.

Donna Trawinski, senior manager, marketing communications at Nissan Canada, told Marketing Magazine that the Juke’s marketing campaign will be focused on digital efforts. “That’s where we believe the target buyer lives,” said Trawinski. “We call them urban adventurers, young people who are very connected, savvy and plugged in.”

[Source: Marketing Magazine]

For more Nissan Juke news and information visit JukeForums.com

Nissan‘s oddball Juke crossover is beating sales projecting in Japan by 300%, moving 1300 units in its first week. The turbocharged Juke is certainly unique looking, and its compact proportions and relatively low price should help make it an attractive proposition in a land where novelty and quirkiness are highly sought after traits in an automobile.

The real test will come when the Juke goes on sale in North America in the fall of 2010. Initial impressions have largely been positive, with some journalists comparing its driving dynamics with the class leading MINI Countryman.

[Source: Autoblog]

Check out Juke Forums for more info

With Nissan set to introduce its new global small car at the Geneva Auto Show tomorrow and the press conference schedule a tight squeeze, the Japanese automaker decided that no formal debut of its new Juke crossover was necessary. As a result, we’ve been able to get a good look at this oddly styled model which Nissan has announced will be offered in North America later this year.

Slotting in underneath the Rogue in Nissan’s North American lineup, the Juke is aimed at winning-over small hatchback buyers with a smaller vehicle that has a more versatile platform.

As controversial as the styling is, we’re excited about this car mainly because of its engine. Nissan has announced that the Juke will come equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with direct-injection technology – GTDI (gasoline turbocharged direct injection) for short. It also gets variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust side of the engine. Power is rated at 188-hp and 177 ft-lbs of torque, but so far no fuel economy numbers are available. It should, however, undercut all other crossovers, so expect some impressive numbers. Plus, it should undercut the competition in price. With the Rogue currently sitting around the $20,000 mark, we’d have to think a smaller model would be even less.

Nissan’s press conference it set for tomorrow (March 2nd) and we’ll be sure to see if there’s any new news about the Juke then. Nissan has chosen the New York Auto Show at the end of the month to officially debut the U.S.-spec model on American soil.

GALLERY: Nissan Juke

Nissan has just released the first photos of the Juke crossover, which will slot in just underneath the Rogue in the Japanese automaker’s lineup. Shown here in Euro-spec trim, we expect some changes when it arrives in the U.S., but not much. After all, Nissan wants this car to be a big change from the traditional crossover. We have to admit that the front headlights bulging off the hood and the massive fog lights are a tad excessive.

In fact, because it’s more of a sub-compact crossover, Nissan is hoping to win-over small hatchback buyers, with a more versatile platform. The Juke is also likely to undercut other crossovers on the market, as it almost has to be priced well-below the $20,000 mark, otherwise it would compete with the Rogue.

The Juke will officially debut at the Geneva Auto Show on March 2nd, with the U.S.-spec model debuting at the New York Auto Show at the end of March. We’ll bring you full info (at least on the Euro-spec model) on March 2nd.

Click here for AutoGuide’s live 2010 Geneva Auto Show coverage starting Monday, March 1st.

GALLERY: 2011 Nissan Juke

Official release after the jump:

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Nissan has now officially confirmed that the Juke crossover will be offered in North American later this year. Inspired by the Qazana concept, the Juke is an even smaller crossover than the Rogue and we expect pricing to start at less than $20,000. Nissan says the Juke is targeted towards the small hatchback segment, giving those customers a different option in the marketplace. Nissan also promises plenty of style and driving enjoyment.

The Juke will officially debut at the Geneva Auto Show on March 2nd, with the U.S.-spec model debuting at the New York Auto Show at the end of March. We should have more information and photos available tomorrow.

Official release after the jump:

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Nissan has confirmed that after missing out on a long list of auto shows, it is preparing for the New York Auto Show in late March. The company is launching eight new models in the next 12 months and has announced that the new QX56 full-sized luxury SUV (pictured in spy photos above) from the brand’s Infiniti arm will bow at the Big Apple show.

This will also be the first time Infiniti will show the all-new M37 and M56, as well as the facelifted 2010 Infinti G37. There is even a strong possibility that the new G25 model, powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter V6, will arrive in New York.

Nissan is expected to showcase new products as well, likely showing the Juke compact crossover, that will first debut at the Geneva Auto Show in early March.

GALLERY: 2011 Infiniti QX56 Spy Photos

Official release after the jump:

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Nissan is planning to bring its new Juke compact crossover to North America, which will slot in just underneath the Rogue in the Japanese automaker’s lineup. Somewhere between a crossover and an MPV, this new model is inspired by the Nissan Qazana, which debuted at last year’s Geneva Auto Show. The only details we have on it are the photo above, but from that it certainly seems to target models like the Kia Soul.

The decision to bring this smaller crossover to North America seems to be a part of a larger plan by Nissan to be at the forefront of the current downsizing in the U.S. auto industry, while it also shows the automaker’s interest in lowering development costs through the use of more global platforms. Prior to this announcement, Nissan has also said it will deliver two new small cars to the U.S., based on the replacement for the Nissan Micra.

Along with the Juke, Nissan will bring seven other new models to North America in 2010 and early 2011, including the M37 and M56, the 40th Anniversary Edition 370Z, the Infinti QX56, the NV 2500 commercial vehicle, the Leaf electric car, a new Infiniti variant (presumably the G25) and the all-new Quest minivan.

The Nissan Juke could debut in production form as early as the Chicago Auto Show next month, but a more likely debut for this global platform is the Geneva Auto Show in March.

GALLERY: Nissan Qazana

[Source: USAToday]