No one thought the super sensible managers of Nissan would greenlight the Juke-R project for production. In fact we were amazed they even authorized the concept version. But the fact of the matter is, they found some people who are going to give them good money for this car, so why wouldn’t they make it. Suddenly their most bonkers project ever made a lot of sense!

On the evidence of these official sketches, the production car will lose none of the unique features found on the concept version of Nissan Juke-R. The customers have paid over half a million dollars to Nissan for that car they saw as a concept. They won’t tolerate getting anything different.

Actually, they are going to get something better. The first concept version used the engine and drivetrain of a 2012 Nissan GTR, which means it only had like 480 horsepower. The production versions will get the 2013 GTR’s powertrain. That will give the small crossover 550 horsepower, and an even more sophisticated gearbox and four-wheel-drive system. The looks and the bespoke interior will be identical to the concept car.

It’s a wonderful toy this car. But we’re still not convinced it’s worth the asking price. You can get like six GTRs or twenty Jukes with that money.