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A couple of hints are in the name of the Nissan Gripz Concept – enthusiasts need to come to grips with a future Z-car crossover.
Although the Gripz Concept previews “an innovative new future for the marque,” the Japanese brand insists an SUV Zed would just pay homage to its offroad rally heritage; it’s not a scary new frontier.
As evidence, Nissan points to the original 240Z of the 1970s were rally stars that conquered the open plains of Kenya, Uganda and present day Tanzania with their raised ride height and beefed-up suspension.
“The Nissan 240Zs were proof that sports cars didn’t have to be low to the ground to be fun,” the company adds in a statement. “The Nissan Gripz Concept proves this again.”
Nissan says the Gripz is a design statement rather than a replacement for an existing model, previewing the company’s new ‘emotional geometry’ design language.Similar in size to a Juke or Qashqai – with no B-pillar and suicide rear doors – the Gripz instead uniquely has the “silhouette of a sports car” while the tail-lights boast obvious 370Z cues.
