In both Active Tourers, the electrically assisted steering is
no longer artificially flavoured. We preferred speed-sensitive Sport, which
matches gearing to turn-in angle for reduced effort around town and enhanced
stability above 50mph.
Although this is essentially a two-box design, the A-pillars
and quarter-pane supports occasionally obstruct vision, reminding you that this
is a high-roof vehicle with unique proportions.
Don’t fret: BMW’s
spent 14 years proving it can do FWD with the Mini
Both cars quickly drew a crowd, with a mixed response. While
drivers of non-premium products tended to give the Active Tourer the thumbs up,
BMW owners were more sceptical. But perhaps the market is ready for a new look
MPV, a premium space-functional concept complete with LED headlights, fine
leather seats, panoramic sunroof and the latest infotainment wizardries. There
is absolutely nothing a 3-series can offer that an Active Tourer is deprived
of, budget permitting. It looks as if BMW has not only managed to reinvent the
minivan, but also lifted it to a more upscale and profitable basis.
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Specs
Engine
·
1995cc 16v 4-cyl turbodiesel, 148bhp @ 4000rpm, 243lb ft @ 1750-2750rpm
Gearbox
·
Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Performance
·
8.9sec 0-62mph, 127mph, 68.9mpg, 109g/km CO2
Weight
·
1375kg
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Nissan Juke Tekna DIG-T
Punchy new 1.2 turbo and mid-life refresh create the
king of Jukes.
The updated Nissan Juke is the best version of Nissan’s
compact crossover we’ve ever driven. Well, apart from the ballistic Nismo
nutcase, of course, with its GT-R running gear. But in the real world, the new
1.2-litre version of the hot-selling, bold-faced SUV has been given a new
engine, with direct injection, all-alloy construction and a healthy 113bhp
given the capacity.
The turbocharged unit, which fi rst appeared in the Renault
Megane in 2012, has genuine pep: it’s responsive and loves to rev, pushing the
Juke along with a verve and surprising fun factor as you throw the crossover
around corners and punch holes in traffic. There’s also start/stop as standard,
helping improve fuel consumption to 51.4mpg from an already parsimonious
47.1mpg.
Nissan Juke Tekna
DIG-T
That’s not the only change for the updated Juke: there are
‘customisable’ exterior packs, with the contrasting lower strakes in the
bumpers and mirror caps available in potentially gaudy colour combos.
The Juke was previously cursed with a horribly packaged
boot. It was a deal-breaker for many potential buyers, so much so that Nissan
has taken action and fashioned it into a more usable area, liberating 113
litres in the process for a 354 total; pretty extraordinary for a mid-lifecycle
nip-and-tuck. Shame they haven’t updated the tragically plastic cabin, which is
a much stronger indicator of the Juke’s age than the exterior styling, which
has held up well.
Nissan Juke Tekna
DIG-T Navigation
Overall, though, the new 1.2-litre engine has breathed fresh
life into the Juke, and for shorter trips, we’d have it over the diesel
version. It’s punchy, fun and cheap to run. An engine that’s fit for a Juke
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Specs
Price
·
$29.283,61
Engine
·
1197cc 16v turbocharged 4-cyl, 113bhp @ 4500rpm, 140lb ft @ 2000rpm
Gearbox
·
6-spd manual, fwd
Performance
·
10.8sec 0-62mph, 111mph, 51.4mpg, 129g/km CO2
Weight
·
1236kg
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