Nissan Hyper Punk previews the next Juke | GRR
The run-up to the Japan Mobility Show, which opens on 25 October, has been bombarding us with automotive delights all month, not least from Nissan, which has revealed four concepts and the latest, this car, is called the Nissan Hyper Punk.
Like the Hyper Urban, Hyper Adventure and Hyper Tourer that came before it, the Hyper Punk concept gives an idea of what a future EV of one of the firm's current models, the Juke, could look like, and, in a word, it's odd. Very odd.
The Hyper Punk's body serves as a meeting place for geometric folds, angles and curves that your brain struggles to get a handle on, further complicated by light-up triangular trims hiding 23-inch wheels. You also get a silver paint job that shifts from light to dark depending on where you're standing and LED lights integrated behind the bodywork.
It all points to an electric Juke that will be bolder, more confident and more aerodynamic than the current model that already aims to appeal to style-conscious urbanites.
The interior is even more out-there. Nissan describes it as a mobile creative studio that uses biosensors and AI to detect and adapt to your mood. It also offers connectivity for multiple devices. The car's infotainment system can overlay the digital world on your surroundings based on images from its exterior cameras. However, we suspect Nissan will substitute the concept's Manga graphics for something more practical come production.
Unfortunately, Nissan skims over details on the Hyper Punk's electrical drive and powertrain, only saying that it will be capable on and offroad and feature the company's V2X system that allows the car's electricity to be pumped back onto the grid when needed.
And the chances of the production car looking anything like the Hyper Punk? Slim. But we'd put money on the new Juke having a more angular design, an infotainment-heavy interior and, of course, an electric powertrain.
Like Nissan's other four concepts, digital billboards in Japan's Shinjuku district will preview the Hyper Punk before its physical motor show debut. It will also be available on the online game Fortnite under the name "Electrify the World".