We had to double check that the invite to a day of high-performance on-track action in Mondello actually came from Nissan Ireland. After all, our economy is, well, you know what it is, and hence the vast majority of car sales in the country are of small and efficient models. Along with all that, Nissan didn't have any especially new model for us to try out in between acting the race driver.
However, Nissan is in buoyant form, as it should be with the excellent Qashqai in second place in the sales charts at the moment. Next year will be relatively quiet from the brand to start with - other than the launch of the interesting, but not so relevant to our times, Juke Nismo - though the tail end of the year signals a ramp up in new models that will include a new Nissan Note, an all-new Qashqai and a C-segment car of some description.
But back to Mondello. Awaiting us at the rain-lashed circuit in Kildare is a mouth-watering selection of metal to try out. There's a selection of GT-Rs of various specification, race-prepped Nissan 370Zs and one of the highly rare Juke-Rs. Oh and a Micra to carry out an autotest in, lest I forget.
Nothing like a baptism of fire. We pile into the GT-Rs first. Lead by a pace car we carry out a handful of quick laps. It should be pointed out that the rain was still streaming down at this stage and the Mondello track features loads of surface changes that really keep you on your toes in these conditions. The GT-R is a phenomenal bit of kit though, putting its 550hp via a super-quick six-speed dual-clutch gearbox to all four wheels. Left in default mode (other than the gearbox, which we chose to operate for ourselves) the GT-R slithers around the track, with plenty of slip allowed before the electronics rein in the power and the car quickly falls back into shape.
The grip levels are so low that this feels a little frustrating so there's more satisfaction to be had from driving it within the limits and not feeling the disapproving intervention of the electronics. Even so, we're lapping at quite indecent speeds by any measure.
Next up is one of the liveried 370Zs. These came from Silverstone where they were used as part of Nissan's GT Academy competition. Along with bigger brakes and special tyres, the rear differential has been replaced by a race version, which is probably great in the dry, but in the wet it makes these cars very snappy indeed. Thankfully traction control is retained and there's still huge fun to be had. Never before have I concentrated so much on matching engine and road speed though, as the rear wheels lock up on changing down a gear if you don't get it right.
Unfortunately, the owner of the Juke-R, Nissan Europe, deemed the weather too bad to allow mere journalists behind the wheel of its pride and joy. Instead, Aron Smith, BTCC hot-shoe, gets to take us around for a couple of fast laps. He's impressively committed in every corner, but I note that he hasn't turned the traction control off either! This car feels like the GT-R, condensed.
Seeing as so few Juke-Rs will ever be made, I couldn't let the opportunity pass, and managed to convince Nissan to allow me drive it on the following day on a dry track. It's nothing short of sensational. Grip, composure, body control, speed: it has it all in spades - though it's also quite wieldy and highly adjustable at the limit. One of the most memorable aspects of this car though is its braking - simply outstanding lap after lap with a firm, confidence-inspiring pedal.
That's even more impressive when you learn that the Juke-R (and all the other cars mentioned) were being put through their paces continuously for nigh on five days. Other than a few minor 'offs' by over-enthusiastic drivers there didn't seem to be a single issue. Impressive stuff.
Let's hope some of the passion and skill gone into developing this selection of high-performance machines finds its way into the next generation of regular Nissan road cars...
Key Facts:
Model tested: Nissan Juke-R prototype
Price: €600,000 (approx.)
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V6 petrol
Transmission: six-speed dual-clutch automatic, four-wheel drive
Body style: five-door crossover
Top speed: 257km/h
0-100km/h: 3.7 seconds
Power: 485hp at 6,400rpm
Torque: 588Nm at 3,200 - 5,200rpm