In what has to be the most unexpected motoring news since Volkswagen called 'checkmate' on Porsche, Nissan has announced that it will produce a limited run of the crazy Juke-R super crossover.
Initially planned as a concept 'to marry two of Nissan's most innovative models' (Nissan's words not ours) the Juke-R was so well received at its launch as the pace car for the Dubai 24 hours that three firm offers for the car were received from high profile clients, including a 'well-respected member of Dubai society'.
Nissan will build the 3.8-litre, 160mph Juke-R on request with order books opening in the coming weeks. No official word yet on prices but we expect the Juke-R to come with a hefty premium over the GT-R on which it is based. Somewhere around £125,000 perhaps.
Whereas the concept cars were built using a MY10 GT-R the production models will use the newer MY12 platform meaning a power increase from 492- to 553hp resulting in a 0-62mph time of just over three seconds.
To go with the Juke-R's announcement Nissan has released a video, entitled Desert Nemesis, which shows GT Academy winner Lucas Ordonez pitting the Juke-R against supercars from Lamborghini, Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz. Turn the speakers up, enjoy and when you are done email Juke-R@Nissan.co.uk to register your interest in the car.
16 May: On 28 May over 100 classic cars of all eras will leave Peking on this year's Peking to Paris rally. The 7,500-mile route is expected to take 33 days to complete. A 1913 Ford Model T is the oldest car taking part while the newest is a 1982 Renault 4.
13 May: Citroen is celebrating the 45th anniversary of the Mehari with a special display at the company's C_42 showcase on the Champs-Elysees in Paris. The Mehari was created by a French fighter ace, based on the Citroen 2CV and used bright-coloured plastic bodyw
