Best News Ever: Nissan Juke-R Limited Production Run

This is quite possibly the best news I’ve heard for some time. Nissan has confirmed that they’re going to build a “limited” number of Juke-Rs, the mad-as-a-hatter GTR-based crossover that caused such a media storm when it debuted in Dubai earlier this year. Apparently people were literally “making offers for the original on the street”. That was Dubai remember, if they’d have driven it through say, Romford, I’m sure they’d have had an altogether different response...

Nevertheless, orders are being taken for the next four weeks after which Nissan, along with British engineering firm Ray Mallock Limited (RML), will build the cars on a strictly order-by-order basis. They’ve already had three orders, two of which have come from a “high-profile and well-respected member of Dubai society”. Well, what did you expect? Honestly.

The original concept used the drivetrain and running gear from a 2010 GTR, with 485bhp and a 0-60 time of a little over three seconds. The production cars however, will benefit from the 2012 GTR’s innards. That means a healthy 545bhp and an aerodynamically limited 160mph from the 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V6.

If you’re in any doubt as to the Juke-R’s credentials, check out the video below of the concept comprehensively trouncing a Ferrari 458, Lambo’ Gallardo and Mercedes SLS in a race around a closed marina. Now image it with 60 more bhp. You get the idea...

Those performance figures are scary. Nearly as scary in fact as the way it looks. With its distinctive headlights, wide-boy stance and aggressive front and rear spoilers, this is one Juke you’ll definitely want to avoid cutting up. Not that you’re ever likely to see one on the road - unless your name begins with “Sheikh” and is 74 characters long.

The price? We don’t know. But somehow I think the old adage “If you have to ask, you can’t afford it” applies here. Oh well, I can still dream.