Nissan Gripz concept to preview upcoming Z car

Nissan has released new preview images of its Gripz concept car, which will be unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show later this month.

The new crossover will bring back the famous Z badge - and the new model is poised to hit showrooms within the next 18 months. The teaser images show that the concept car has a black bonnet like the classic Datsun 240Z rally car that won the East African Safari Rally in 1971. New images of the car's interior also show a central speedometer.

Nissan executive vice-president Trevor Mann has supported Nakamura’s view. He told Autocar: “We do 
know that Z, as a sub-brand 
if you like, has high equity. 
The market is not like it 
used to be, though, so I 
think that if you do something, you’ll need to do something which is quite special, to attract the segment.”

When asked to comment directly on Nakamura’s statement, Mann said: “If that’s what Nakamura said, then I guess he might be right, in terms of re-establishing the links to something people can connect to.”

That’s likely to be a reference to price. It’s thought the new Z crossover will be notably cheaper than a £30k 370Z and its range-toppers could overlap with the lower-end editions of the Qashqai.

The new Z will be similar in size to the Nissan Juke although, unlike the current version of that car, the new model will be based on the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s latest CMF B platform. Its engine line-up will be able to include the full range of 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engines.

It’s unclear if the new model will be a coupé-esque three-door or if Nissan will include a pair of rear doors with hidden handles. It’s likely that the roofline will compromise rear cabin space for adults, though, making the Z crossover a car with occasional rear seats at best. The more extreme concept, which will be designed to gauge reaction after the Frankfurt show, may even be a two-seater only.

The new platform has the flexibility to accommodate hybrid powertrains, so it’s possible the concept at least will showcase a set-up featuring an electric motor to drive one of the axles.

Nissan is likely to argue that the GT-R has managed to mix strong performance credentials with a rear-biased four-wheel drive system and that a hybrid crossover can provide some of the same character - while potentially also offering zero-emissions running for short distances.

The Z should allow Nissan to compete in the lucrative middle ground on small crossovers, attracting buyers who don’t want as large a car as the Qashqai but who find the Juke too quirky nor not sporty enough.