Nissan Factory Visit (Juke-R and 2012 GT-R Content)

[JT182]

Thought I'd write a thread about my visit to Nissan's Sunderland plant, as I'm sure there are a fair few GT-R fans on here! I was invited to go and drive a few of their tamer models for a media day that they were holding, but I shan't bore you with the details of underpowered and overpriced diesel Qashqais, Notes, and Jukes!

However, the highlight of the day was without question the drives in the 2012 GT-R, and the absurd Juke-R. In short, the revised GT-R is life-changingly fast (managed 3.0 seconds to 60mph with help from its launch control), and the Juke-R is a huge amount of fun as you'd expect. It's much, much more involving than the GT-R on the limit. It really was an honour to drive the latter, as there are only two of them in the world. We were also treated to a passenger ride in the Juke-R later in the day with Nissan's super-talented young driver, Jann Mardenborough. His car control is unbelievable. I was stamping on invisible brakes in the passenger footwell while he slammed on the anchors at the very last second, then proceeded to balance the car through the corner by making millimetric adjustments on the throttle and steering wheel!

Reviews of the GT-R and Juke-R:

http://joshtimlin.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/2012-nissan-gt-r.html
http://joshtimlin.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/nissan-juke-r.html

Anyway, here are a few photos from a sun-drenched day in Sunderland!

And here's one from the tour of the incredibly efficient factory:

 

[ColinG]

Can't believe you got to drive the juke-r

Must have been an awesome day!

 

[johnbryan45]

Want that juke-R! They look awesome to drive.

 

[Joe#]

Both unbelievable cars.

 

[BoatNonce]

Don't like the normal Juke but the Juke-R should have been produced. Both lovely cars.

 

[JT182]

Don't like the normal Juke but the Juke-R should have been produced. Both lovely cars.

I think they're producing a sportier version of the Juke, but it'll be nowhere near as potent as the R! In a way, I'm glad they're not producing it in mass numbers as it'll be a true cult car in years to come as it's just so out of the ordinary. The two are fully road legal as well! Maybe if they use it in a race series, an homologated road car made in tiny numbers would be sold out quickly as it seems people have taken really well to the Juke-R. I imagine this was simply an exercise to show what can be achieved with the car as a platform for future versions.

 

[Kane.]

I love the Juke-R. Such a weirdly beautiful car.

 

[TimR26]

That Juke-R looks fantastic

 

[Darren S]

I think they're producing a sportier version of the Juke, but it'll be nowhere near as potent as the R! In a way, I'm glad they're not producing it in mass numbers as it'll be a true cult car in years to come as it's just so out of the ordinary. The two are fully road legal as well! Maybe if they use it in a race series, an homologated road car made in tiny numbers would be sold out quickly as it seems people have taken really well to the Juke-R. I imagine this was simply an exercise to show what can be achieved with the car as a platform for future versions.

Something that is seriously lacking from most mainstream manufacturers these days. If it makes the bean-counters happy, then it goes through into production. Otherwise, nay chance.

D.

 

[AK]

The Juke-R is awesome.

 

[kpowell911]

What did you do to be able to get access to those cars? Do you work for Nissan?

 

[Scrooge]

I hate Jukes but I love the juke R.

 

[DrR]

Juke looks horrid!

 

[Munson]

Awesome!

 

[Ian_182]

Looks like a great day.

Im not a fan of the GT-R but i can like it a bit more in that colour.

 

[markhinton]

That is mental!

JT what are/were you studying at Huddersfield?

 

[JT182]

What did you do to be able to get access to those cars? Do you work for Nissan?

I'm lucky enough to do freelance motoring journalism when I'm not studying, so I covered this event for a newspaper I've been with for a few years. It's a great privilege to do it, particularly with driving the Juke-R as only a handful of people have had access to them. As far as hosting goes, Nissan were one of the best I've encountered for sure!

Mark - I studied Journalism and Media at Huddersfield.

 

[mitch1503]

the Juke R is a lovely car.. a m8 of mine who works at nissan posted a pic of it on facebook about a week and a half ago and i thought then it looked awesome

 

[AK]

What's the difference between the old and new GT-R?

 

[Munson]

Mostly suspension and engine changes I think.

 

[Knuckles]

Aww FFs I wish I knew about this lol! I can be a journalist if it would've got me a go in a gtr lol!

 

[JT182]

Mostly suspension and engine changes I think.

Yeah, it's had a thorough going over (as far as annual revisions usually go). Valves, inlet manifold, heads, pistons, dampers, springs, and even the gearbox has been sharpened. I drove a 2009 model not so long back and the difference is definitely noticeable; particularly low-down grunt and above 4500rpm. Its ride is far better as well, and its brakes are just as brutal as the acceleration. For £75k, there's nothing else I'd rather have as the GT-R copes with everything brilliantly.

 

[timuss]

That GTR is just plain out sexy!!!! Phwoar:evil:

 

[Englebert]

Nice write up, thanks for sharing.

I would love a Juke-R as the ultimate all-rounder (albeit with a proper interior).