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In the 1990s and early-to-2000s, big SUVs were the go-to automobile of choice. But with gas prices skyrocketing, that trend quickly died out and gave life to the small crossover segment. With that success, Nissan is now doubling down with the new Gripz Concept.
Designed to become a new breed of sporty compact crossover’s for a new, younger generation. The Gripz Concept takes its styling cues from Nissan’s new design language and according to Nissan, “Classic desert rally cars and racing bicycles.”
From the look of the crossover, the Gripz Concept definitely has the right proportions, and that’s partly down to the designers using the 240Z rally car as a basis for the design. The Gripz Concept has the same long front hood, and slopping rear deck that made the 240Z such an iconic sports car. Although, where the Gripz Concept and the 240Z differ is in the ride height and size.
Getting into the Gripz Concept has definitely been made to be an occasion. For the concept, Nissan designed the doors in two ways. The front opens up like a McLaren, pivoting on the A-pillar, with the rear opening up backwards like an old Lincoln Continental or the Mazda RX-8.
Inside, the Gripz Concept has a 2+2 seating arrangement that offers a driver-focused cabin, allowing them to become at one with the road and the car itself.
The Gripz Concept uses a hybrid drivetrain that is all-new for Nissan. Using a highly efficient gas engine in conjunction with the EV motor out of the company’s Leaf, the Gripz Concept would be able to deliver a “smooth, swift, and linear acceleration in near-silence.”
It would also give it plenty of torque if one were to ever take the little crossover off-road, and brilliant fuel efficiency.
What hope does the Gripz Concept have making it to production then? Nissan’s SVP and Chief Creative Officer Shiro Nakamura, had this to say just before the cars unveiling in Frankfurt: “What influence this Concept’s design has on the next crossover generation from Nissan remains to be seen, though we are keen to gauge public reaction when it appears at the Frankfurt Show.”
So if you want one, you’ll have to shout, “shut up and take my money,” although, we’re not sure Nissan will listen, since the public did the same thing with the IDX concepts and those were never given the green light. If anything, this concept should serve as an early design study for the next generation of the Nissan Z coupe and convertible.
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