Skip to main content

Nissan’s Juke RSnow doesn’t care if winter is coming or going

nissan juke rsnow details and photos trax 0101
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Nissan’s Juke has always been the Rogue’s quirky younger sibling. The endearing crossover has also been the subject of some of Nissan’s most outrageous experiments, like getting the 545 horsepower GT-R shoved inside it just to see what the result would be. This time, Nissan tweeted an image of the perfect winter-equipped Juke that we’re sure everyone on the East coast wished they had this week.

Trax-0151
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Dubbed the Juke RSnow, it’s the latest crazy Juke-based Frankenstein’s monster to come out of Nissan’s “drunken bet” division. The car itself is a stock Juke Nismo RS, which is powered by a 215 horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with direct injection. This is mated to an Xtronic CVT with a sport mode setting. The bottom half is a track system that comes from American Track Truck, which simply swapped out the wheels for the tracks that they make compatible for regular vehicles.

According to Wired, the Juke RSnow was born into existence by an ice-driving Academy located in Lapland, Finland. Modding the Juke to fit the treads was a simple matter, with just a few bits of the front and rear fascia trimmed off to accommodate the bulk treads. Electronically, the torque vectoring system that the crossover usually implements for tighter turns on tarmac was recalibrated to work properly with the track system.

Don’t start calling dealerships just yet, though. As nice as it would be to be able to forever abolish snow day concerns, this isn’t going to show up on Nissan’s website any time soon. Those interested to upgrade their current 4×4 can simply get the track system for around $15,000 from American Track Truck.  Until then, bundle up, stay warm, and dream of the tank-tracked automotive future you’ll build in time for next year.

Alexander Kalogianni
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Alex K is an automotive writer based in New York. When not at his keyboard or behind the wheel of a car, Alex spends a lot of…
Mercedes-Benz G580 first drive: old-school off-roader goes electric
2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 from three quarter view.

American car buyers mostly know Mercedes-Benz as a luxury brand. But for decades, the automaker has also produced the tough, rugged G-Class (also known as the Geländewagen or G-Wagen), an SUV not afraid to get its leather upholstery muddy. And now, this iconic Mercedes is going electric.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology — the final name of the SUV previously known as the EQG — isn’t the first electric off-roader. The Rivian R1S and R1T and GMC Hummer EV have proven that electric powertrains and off-roading are a great combination. But the electric G-Wagen is different because it’s based on an internal-combustion model — and a very traditional one at that.

Read more
Honda believes hydrogen semi trucks will make the case for fuel cells
Honda hydrogen fuel-cell semi truck.

Honda remains committed to hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, but the market for those vehicles remains limited. So Honda is looking at other uses for fuel cells -- including commercial trucks.

To show how that could work, Honda converted a semi truck to fuel-cell power, replacing its diesel engine with three fuel-cell modules. Together, the three modules produce a combined 321 horsepower, and can propel the truck to a top speed of 70 mph. There's enough onboard hydrogen storage capacity for a 400-mile range with a full load, Honda claims.

Read more
Mercedes-Benz G580 vs Rivian R2: Is the much cheaper Rivian actually better?
2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 from three quarter view.

Mercedes-Benz has finally taken the wraps off of the new "Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology." Yeah, it's a mouthful, but it's basically a new electric G-Wagon. It looks a lot like the G-Wagon you know and love, but with an electric powertrain and a battery. It's not the only electric SUV out there, however, and there are some great ones -- like the Rivian R2.

Both the Mercedes G580 and the Rivian R2 have a lot going for them, but they also approach the electric SUV slightly differently. Is one better than the other? I put the two head-to-head to find out.
Design
The approach that the two vehicles take to design is quite different -- and you might like one better than the other.

Read more