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Nissan to build no more than 17 examples of Juke-R 2.0

Nissan is planning to put the new Juke-R 2.0 into low-volume production, a report says. It was revealed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed about a month ago, and it packs greasy bits from a Nissan GT-R into the modified chassis and bodywork of a Juke crossover. Version 2.0 packs 600 horsepower, a leap from the 545 hp produced by the first rendition. Production plans were not clear at Goodwood, but the Italian website OmniAuto.it says that Nismo will produce as many as 17 examples of the Juke-R 2.0. We say "as many as" because production will likely depend on demand, and as small as that number may be, the price of entry is sure to be steep. The previous version was limited to 21 examples, each priced at over $650,000. At the time that we drove it more than two years ago, Nissan had only made (and found homes for) four examples. Of course the Juke-R isn't the only performance crossover out there. Following Porsche's lead, Lamborghini, Maserati, Lotus, and Aston Martin (to name just a few) are all gearing up to launch their own, while the likes of Mercedes-AMG, BMW M, Audi Quattro, and Jaguar Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations division continue to churn out faster and more powerful sport utes. The Juke-R may be the most bonkers to date, but it'll soon find itself in good (and very fast) company. Related Video: Featured Gallery Nissan Juke-R 2.0 View 22 Photos News Source: OmniAuto.itImage Credit: Nissan Nissan Crossover Performance Supercars nissan juke-r

Recharge Wrap-up: Nissan Leaf top environmental performer, 50,000th Renault Zoe

Renault has produced its 50,000th Zoe electric car. A Frenchwoman named Sylvie took ownership of the milestone vehicle at the Flins plant where it rolled of the line. She says her children helped convince her to buy the all-electric vehicle, which Sylvie intends to use as a daily driver. The Renault Zoe is Europe's best selling EV since its launch in 2013. Renault reports a 98-percent satisfaction rate with the Zoe. Read more in the press release from Renault. Toyota will use a biosynthetic rubber called biohydrin in its engine and drive system hoses beginning in May 2016. Jointly developed by Toyota, biohydrin is a plant-based rubber with a 20-percent reduction in material lifecycle carbon emissions compared to petroleum-based rubber. Toyota plans to use the compound in even more components in the future, including brake and fuel line hoses. Read more from Toyota. So far in 2016, only 27.5 percent of hybrids and EVs are traded in for another electrified vehicle, according to Edmunds. That's down from 38.5 percent in 2015. 33.8 percent of electrified vehicles are traded in for SUVs. Despite the trend of EV and hybrid owners switching back to traditionally powered vehicles, average fuel economy isn't suffering. "This is an economics trend, since today's low cost of gas no longer makes it worth paying the price premium of hybrids and EVs," says Edmunds Director of Industry Analysis Jessica Caldwell. "And there are so many fuel-efficient vehicles on the market today that environmental concerns weigh less than they might have in years past. When you're buying a vehicle that can get over 30 mpg, you can still say you're doing your part to help the environment." Read more from Edmunds. Environmentally, electrified vehicles outperform their conventional combustion counterparts throughout their lifecycle. A study from the Automotive Science Group (ASG) finds that while production of advanced powertrains comes with a greater financial burden, most vehicles make up for it through efficiencies during their use phase. The ASG lists the 2016 Nissan Leaf as its best performer, with 47 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than the best-performing conventionally powered car, the Honda Fit. Rounding out the ASG's top five environmental performers are the Ford Focus Electric, Chevrolet Volt, Toyota Prius Two Eco, and Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid.

The birth of a drifter, meet James Deane

Drifting is sometimes a maligned from of motorsport because it's scored by judges rather than the outcome of shedding tenths off of lap times. But that doesn't mean the people behind the wheel are lacking in skill. In a new documentary series XCar Films interviews European drift champion James Deane, and of course he also shows off his abilities with some smoky slides. Amazingly, Deane got started drifting at just 15 in a Ford Sierra, and a year later, he was already winning championships in a Nissan S14. His current competition weapon combines a Nissan chassis with a turbocharged Toyota 2JZ engine and a NASCAR four-speed gearbox. Deane reckons the setup makes around 650 horsepower. As this video shows, Deane is a master of getting the car to slide just where he wants it to be. Coupled with Xcar's consistently fantastic cinematography, there's an interesting story here of a racer stepping up the ladder of competition. Related Video: News Source: Xcar Films via YouTube Motorsports Nissan Coupe Racing Vehicles Performance Videos drifting xcar xcar films drifter