2016 Nissan Juke

When Nissan introduced the Juke in 2011, its hip styling in a rather bland segment made it a near immediate hit. To this date, it is still the swan in a class filled to the brim with ugly ducklings. Add to that a base turbocharged engine that pumps out 188 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of twist that allows it to hit 60 mph in just 7.3 seconds, even with a cruddy CVT backing it up.

That was 2011 and now we are moving into the 2015 model year, so it is time for a mid-cycle refresh. And a refresh the Juke received, as Nissan unveiled the Euro-spec Juke at the Geneva Motor Show this week. Sure, a few of the engines won’t make their way to the U.S., but we did get a nice look at how Nissan added in its new design language and revised the only U.S.-bound engine: the 1.6 DIG-T.

Overall, the refresh is, well, refreshing. The Juke looks like a whole new car, despite sharing most of its sheet metal with the 2014 model. Unfortunately, the Juke’s interior is largely carried over, but the interior was never a complaint, except for cargo space, which was address with this refresh.

2016 Nissan GT-R Nismo - First Drive

The 2015 Nissan GT-R NISMO has been priced at $151,585, including a $1,595 destination charge, making it the most expensive  ever launched. For those at home counting, that’s almost $50k more than the entry-level 2015 GT-R’s $103,365 sticker but it does get you one of the fastest cars currently in production.

When it comes to track prowess, only the exotic Porsche 918 Spyder and McLaren P1 are quicker on the famed Nürburgring race track in Germany, with the Nissan's best time set at 7:08.679 while the exotics are both under 7 minutes. But the Nissan will be much easier to live on a day-to-day basis, and it has a usable back seat and trunk.

Key to the car’s performance is a boost in output for the venerable twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V-6, with the final numbers registering at 600 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque, up from the regular model’s 545 hp and 463 lb-ft. However, more power is not the end of the story as downforce, suspension updates and brake performance is also crucial in achieving the car’s .

CLICK HERE FOR OUR 2015 NISSAN GT-R NISMO FIRST DRIVE

Inside, the Nissan GT-R NISMO cockpit inspires driver confidence through both its craftsmanship and optimized driving position. Racing-style Recaro seats are standard, along with an on-board driving recorder and a unique Bose stereo whose 11 speakers are mounted in rigid aluminum die cast panels for better sound quality.

The 2015 Nissan GT-R NISMO will go on sale in select Nissan dealers on July 31, 2014. The less extreme 2015 GT-R Track Edition will also go on sale at this time, and has been priced at $117,305 with destination charges.

Below is pricing for the complete 2015 Nissan GT-R lineup:

GT-R Premium: $103,365
GT-R Black Edition: $113,105
GT-R Track Edition: $117,305
GT-R NISMO: $151,585

Nissan 370Z 2012

Cheap Sports Cars for 2012

08. 2012 Nissan 370Z - $31,450

The 2012 Nissan 370Z has a couple of things going for it.  First the Z has a very storied and prestigious history spanning all the way back to 1969.  The Datsun 240Z was cheap sports car that is still a real favorite among many enthusiasts.  Many different iterations of the Z have spanned a couple of decades all culminating in the 370Z model.  The second major factor the 370Z has in its corner is the technology that Nissan possesses.  The Nissan GTR is considered one of the ultimate sports cars in the world and plays the role of big brother to the 370Z.  Thus the 2012 Nissan 370Z gets all kinds of goodies (technology) passed down from the mighty Godzilla.  Like a true sports car; the 370Z features something never seen before on a mass marked car.  SynchroRev Match is a down shift rev-matching system in which the computer automatically blips the throttle when downshifting.  This helps keep the car right in the sweet spot of the powerband.  The base model 2012 Nissan 370Z has a starting price of just over $31,000.  This Japanese sports car is powered by a 3.7L V-6 engine that provides 332 horsepower and 270lb-ft of torque.  A 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic transmission can be had.  0-60 MPH fly’s by in 4.5 seconds making this one cheapest fast sports car you can buy.  Fuel economy is not bad either with the 370Z getting 18 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway.  The exterior of the car is something different with the arrow style lights and the severe slope on the roofline.  But overall the 370Z makes a bold visual statement.