2021/06/21
Paul Eames, Nissan’s European Driver Training Expert, Customer Oriented Engineering, uses his driving and engineering expertise to deliver a motoring masterclass
JUKE offers a suite of advanced technologies enabling a nimble, enjoyable and safe experience for drivers and passengers alike
Three-part educational video series illustrates how to enhance key skills when behind the wheel in the country, in the city and on the highway
PARIS – As many city and country dwellers look to venture onto roads familiar and new for long-overdue trips, Nissan deploys its world-class driving talent to help motorists truly unlock the fun that the open road offers.
From the nuances of smooth throttle inputs and steering balance to the technology that helps drivers confidently tackle unfamiliar roads, Paul Eames, Nissan’s European Driver Training Expert, Customer Oriented Engineering at Nissan Technical Centre Europe, offers an insider’s look into the tricks of the driving trade in his three-part video masterclass.
Taking a direct step into the arena Paul knows best, the driver’s seat, the three bespoke videos reveal the technical expertise that drivers can tap into, every time they set off on the road.
Extracting the maximum from JUKE’s sharp handling dynamics and responsive 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged powertrain, Paul effortlessly demonstrates the satisfaction daily driving can yield in town, in the country or on the highway.
Having tested a vast array of Nissan vehicles in environments around the world for over 25 years, Paul has dedicated his career to perfecting the art of driving, earning Nissan’s ultimate A1 driving qualification and his place among a select few Nissan drivers around the world.
Relying on his sharp driving instincts and engineering know-how, Paul ensures that every new Nissan model is optimised for European roads, and can seamlessly tackle the challenges posed by tight turns and tricky terrain alike.
“The Nissan JUKE is a fantastic car for those looking to improve their driving skills and enjoy sophisticated technology designed to maximise the enjoyment of driving.”
“JUKE’s versatility lends itself perfectly to motorists who frequently travel from the city streets to highways and country roads, and has a suite of advanced technologies to offer motorists a fun and smooth driving experience,” added Paul Eames.
Masterclass #1 – Smooth city driving
In the first instalment of his video masterclasses, Paul talks through the intricate and unexpected nuances of smooth braking and acceleration, and how they are instrumental to a harmonious drive in the stop-start nature of the urban jungle. Paul goes on to explain the importance of seamless and singular steering inputs for navigating the city streets with confidence.
Revealing how technology works hand-in-hand with the driver to maximise the smoothness of urban driving, Paul demonstrates JUKE’s Intelligent Ride Control technology, illustrating how its very discreet braking and engine inputs help to smooth the ride on bumpier roads.
Masterclass #2 – Dynamic country driving
As he transitions from country to city roads, Paul negotiates plenty of speed limit changes, emphasising the importance of road-reading and observation. With JUKE’s innovative Traffic Sign Recognition(*) maintaining an additional watchful eye, Paul spotlights how intelligent technology makes managing speed changes truly effortless.
Paul also reveals the flexibility and refinement smooth power delivery offers on country roads, providing drivers with a reassuring level of control behind the wheel. Demonstrating the benefits of JUKE’s reactive power delivery, Paul draws on the 200Nm of torque offered up by its energetic engine – showcasing just how much enjoyment engaging, linear acceleration between corners can provide.
Masterclass #3 – Stress-free highway driving
In the final video of the series, Paul highlights the importance of taking a break for drivers to refresh themselves and remain focused on the open highway. To help motorists manage their journey, Paul explains the benefits of JUKE’s Intelligent Driver Alertness(*) technology, which monitors steering inputs and recommends drivers take a break if it detects that they could be tired.
Paul also explains how cruise control is an effective way to help ensure the speed limit isn’t exceeded. With the assistance of JUKE’s Intelligent Cruise Control(*) functionality, Paul illustrates how the technology also helps maintain a safe distance from the car in front, and how it supports drivers in reacting safely to sudden braking from the vehicle in front.
“The freedom of driving on the open road is a truly satisfying way of spicing up the daily routine, and a few tips and tricks can make the experience even more enjoyable for everyone in the car,” said Paul Eames, Nissan’s European Driver Training Expert, Customer Oriented Engineering, Nissan Technical Centre Europe.
Captured with an array of dynamic camera angles inside the cockpit and out, the Nissan JUKE Driving Masterclass series allows viewers to join Paul at the wheel of the energetic Nissan JUKE.
The series can be viewed in full on YouTube here.
To learn more about Nissan JUKE and Nissan products on Nissan Europe consumer sites, visit www.nissan-europe.com.
For more information about Nissan’s products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit nissan‑global.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn and see all our latest videos on YouTube.
# # #
Notes to Editors
(*)Equipment availability depends on vehicle grade level
Paul Eames – biography
Paul Eames, Nissan’s European Driver Training Expert, Customer Oriented Engineering, is based at Nissan Technical Centre Europe, in Cranfield, UK, and is one of Nissan’s most seasoned professional development drivers, having been with the company for nearly 30 years.
From beginning his journey at Nissan as a chassis test technician, Paul meticulously honed his technical expertise and skills behind the wheel to become Nissan’s chief European driver trainer, responsible for all of the company’s professional driver training throughout Europe.
Paul is one of only six drivers in Europe to earn Nissan’s ultimate professional driving qualification. To become an A1 driver, Paul undertook a rigorous programme of training and assessments over a one-year period.
Testing Nissan models from the highly successful Micra city car to the iconic GT-R supercar, Paul earned his A1 status by putting vehicles through their paces in multiple testing environments around the world, including snow driving at Nissan’s proving ground in Hokkaido in Japan and the world-famous Nordschleife circuit in Germany.
Focusing on refining driving performance and comfort for customers in real-world conditions, Paul uses his sharp driving instincts and engineering know-how to optimise a vast array of Nissan vehicles for European roads.
From analysing the surface and camber of different road types, to monitoring road-holding and ride comfort, Paul tests every facet of a vehicle’s on-road performance to refine it and deliver a high-quality product that meets and exceeds customer expectations.
About Nissan in EuropeNissan has one of the most comprehensive European presences of any overseas manufacturer, employing more than 16,000 staff across locally based design, research & development, manufacturing, logistics and sales & marketing operations. In 2019, Nissan plants in the UK, Spain and Russia produced about 465,000 vehicles including award-winning crossovers, commercial vehicles, and the Nissan LEAF. Pursuing a goal of zero emissions and zero fatalities on the road, Nissan is leading the field with its vision of Intelligent Mobility. Designed to guide Nissan’s product and technology pipeline, this 360 degree approach to the future of mobility will anchor critical company decisions around how cars are powered, how cars are driven, and how cars integrate into society.