Nissan Juke's active, sporting exterior is matched by its interior… where the dominant feature also displays a sense of fun: the centre console, finished in a high gloss paint, resembles a motorcycle fuel tank.

"It's unexpected," says Alfonso Albaisa. "And that gives the interior a certain sexiness."

Reflecting the exterior's blending of SUV and sports car attributes, the interior provides the commanding driving position but with all the attributes expected of a sports car. The gear shift sits on the top of the 'motorbiketank' to guarantee slick changes while the tank itself is no mere styling statement but also provides a bracing point for the driver's knee during spirited cornering.

Similarly, the central stack - which incorporates the new Nissan Dynamic Control System - is ergonomically designed to ensure the driver has instant access to the information and drive mode controls.

Attention to detail is evident everywhere. Chrome fittings and high quality materials are used throughout while the interior colours - red or gun metal grey for the central console are available, depending on the grade; black, silver or red accents to the leather or honeycomb 'sports' fabrics - underscore the car's sporting attitude. Even the door arm rests, shaped like flippers used by scuba divers, reflect an active outlook.

Despite its overall compact dimensions, the roomy interior offers competitive levels of space inside: front head room and rear knee room will be sufficient for most occupants. Unlike the Qazana show car, Nissan Juke is a full five seater.

The practical luggage area is large enough to take a nine inch golf bag or a maximum size suitcase and it also includes an underfloor storage area (4wd versions excepted) which takes its potential capacity to 251 litres (VDA). In addition, the rear seats split 60:40, and also fold in one simple movement to provide a totally flat loading floor.

To hide luggage away from prying eyes, the trunk area has an integral tonneau cover which differs from the conventional by being attached to the tailgate and rises with the door when the trunk is opened.

"The interior displays a number of attributes which really sum up the entire car. There's a lot of emotion here, a real sense of fun and a genuine quality," says Albaisa.