Frankfurt show: Nissan gets to Gripz

NISSAN has dubbed its Frankfurt motor show crossover concept Gripz, and confirmed that it indeed has a connection with the brand’s famous Z cars.

In releasing another teaser photo and a little more detail of the vehicle, the Japanese company said the design was inspired by “the legendary 240Z desert racers”, presumably meaning the beefed up sportscars that tackled the Baja California desert rallies in the early 1970s.

But mysteriously, the company’s brief statement also says vehicle was also inspired by “the sleek two-wheel world of road cycling”.

No explanation was given for the Gripz name, but we note that it contains a Z in homage to the long line of Z cars that started with the Datsun Fairlady Z, and developed through generations of 240Z, 260Z, 350Z and, most recently, 370Z two-door coupes.

For a company whose product line-up is already loaded with SUVs, it is difficult to see how one more crossover could fit into the range amongst the Qashqais, Jukes, X-Trails and Patrols, but all should be revealed on Tuesday when the vehicle takes to the Nissan stand at Frankfurt.