In case you’ve dodged every automotive outlet on the planet for the past few weeks, let me be the first to inform you that Nissan’s European division has created a miniscule monster – a compact, all-wheel drive, matte-black beast with big wings and gaping louvers, to be more specific. Called the Juke-R, the one-off concept is a fusion of Nissan’s only two turbocharged models available in the U.S. – the funky-featured Juke and its tech-littered brother, the GT-R supercar. Two Juke-Rs have been built by RML (one of the silent ninjas of motorsports based in Northants, England) in collaboration with the Nissan Technology Centre for Europe. The Juke-Rs are legal for use on European pavement, and come in either right- or left-hand drive. If the goal of the Juke-R was nothing more than a publicity stunt, consider it mission accomplished. But under the surface, we’re betting Nissan is up to more than simply throwing a pre-2011 GT-R’s modified drivetrain (which includes a 485-horsepower VR38DETT engine, GR6 six-speed twin-clutch gearbox, and ATTESA E-TS all-wheel-drive system) into a diminutive Juke body and making a few tantalizing YouTube videos. The Japanese automaker appears to be subliminally taking the temperature of the public to see if developing a sportier, enthusiast-focused Juke is worth the effort.  Gauging from the reaction to the Juke-R so far, yes, it most certainly is. After just a year on the European market, more than 100,000 people call themselves Juke owners. The CUV was recently launched in Russia, where dealers had waiting lists filled with potential buyers. Although less popular with the more traditional, extra-large-SUV-loving American populace, the Juke has been relatively successful thus far, with some 27,000 moved off dealer lots through September of this year. Fuel-conscious, parking-spot-stressed urbanites adore it for its tidy dimensions and decent 27/32 mpg city/highway fuel economy. A 1.6-liter turbocharged heart and torque vectoring all-wheel-drive system make the compact CUV a fun and economical means of transport. But as it stands, the all-wheel-drive Juke’s peppy 188-horse turbo mill is connected to a lackluster continuously variable transmission that drones and whines. Want the six-speed manual? You’ll have to make do with a front-wheel-drive layout. The Juke has the potential to be much more entertaining.  Here’s where a Juke Sport, if you will, comes in. We’re talking a lower, slightly stiffer suspension, some tasteful exterior cladding, restyled wheels, bigger brakes, and boosted up into the 250-hp range. Throw in a proper gearbox (automatic or manual) and keep the all-wheel-drive setup, and we’re betting a significant buyer pool would gladly spend $25,000 or more on one. Need proof? Just ask Mini, which is selling $30,000-plus Countrymans like hotcakes. While it may not be time for a production version of the 480-horse baby Godzilla, I believe it is time for an affordable CUV that’s as fun for enthusiasts to toss into a corner as it is for teenyboppers to park at the mall. Unless Nissan is working on a successor to the much-loved Silvia/240SX coupe,  a car that one product planner told me would be hard to push through the pipeline given the segment’s demise (ahem, what about the Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S?), a souped-up Juke would be a great way to keep younger, urban enthusiasts engaged with the brand.

Coast Nissan

12100 Los Osos Valley Road

San Luis Obispo, California 93405

Phone: 888-245-3836

Website: www.coastnissan.com