SP Rides: No joke — this Juke is it
BY MICHAEL KITCHENS
Name: Justin Rapoza
Age: 25
Occupation: Tinter/Graphic Installer
Hobbies: Cars, basketball, family
Year/Make/Model: 2014 Nissan Juke Nismo RS
Color: Sapphire Black
Engine: Injen short ram intake, Injen intercooler piping, 2.5-inch straight pipe, NISMO radiator cap
Exterior: Seibon CF GT-R hood, Nismo CF side mirrors, 2015 tail-light conversion, LEDGlow 6-piece underglow kit, LED color-change turn signals
Interior: NISMO Recaro Sportsters, NISMO alcantara steering wheel
Suspension: RS-R lowering srings
Wheels/Tires: 18 x 9.5 Axis Halo wheels with 265/35R/18 Ventus V12 evo2s
Based on his history, you’d assume Justin Rapoza would be rolling around in classic muscle. After all, he grew up at Hawaii Raceway Park watching his father, Robert, build hot rods. In fact, the younger Rapoza has owned quite a mix of eclectic rides over the years, including a Mazdaspeed Protégé, the Spec-V Sentra and a show-winning 1978 Porsche 911.
But when it came time to choosing his most recent ride, Rapoza decided to go with the 2014 Nissan Juke Nismo RS. In many ways, the choice made sense for him because, well, it was different. He wanted the best the Juke line could offer, so he watched like a hawk for this Nismo RS to arrive at a local dealership, then claimed this one-year only, unique vehicle for himself.
The Nismo RS is basically the race spec version of the regular Juke and features a bevy of beefy upgrades to make this little number one heckuva sporty deal. More aggressive lines, a pinch of red pin striping, lowered ride height and even more grunt under the hood set this ride apart from the more pedestrian version. Released in only a limited number of colors, the car sports a Sapphire Black look — in part because Rapoza loves how it glows under hard light.
In just over 18 months, Rapoza has transformed this Juke into a standout ride. The first thing you notice about the ride is its sleek, stealthed-out profile. This image is cultivated by some rare parts, including a carbon fiber Seibon GT-R-inspired hood with some sick venting. Combined with the lowered stance provided by the RS-R lowering springs, this dark profile is intensified by the also very rare Nismo carbon fiber mirrors, one of 12 sets built. Rapoza took great pains to complete a 2015 tail-light conversion, which helps to accent the vehicle even further. An LEDglow six-piece underglow kit adds a spot of brilliance to the car at night.
As far as the engine is concerned, Rapoza’s goal remains to bring it up to 275HP. For now, however, his mods consist of the basics for this 1.6L turbo. An Injen short ram intake along with intercooler piping help to add a bit more oxygen to the mix, while a 2.5-inch straight pipe leads to a full custom exhaust, which Exhaust Systems Hawaii installed.
Rapoza keeps himself firmly planted behind the Nismo alcantar steering wheel, thanks to the ever reliable and ever sleek Nismo Recaro sportster seats. Additionally, the car remains firmly planted to roadways, courtesy of super grippy and color-matched 18 x 9.5 Axis Halo wheels with 265/35R/18 Ventus V12 evo2s.
Growing up around big-block V8s, Rapoza realizes people may be surprised that he knows more about them than imports. But, he said, “What we’re doing right now is the same thing our dads did. We’re taking affordable cars and turning them into monsters.”
