Among the dazzling variety of Nissan vehicles on display at the Frankfurt Auto Show was a unique new crossover called the Gripz. The sporty crossover was revealed via a teaser image before the show, but of course, that’s not quite the same thing as the real thing. The Gripz takes inspiration from Nissan's 1970s 240Z sports car as well as more recent SUVs, but this isn't your traditional crossover—a fact that the concept's hybrid powertrain and styling make immediately clear.

The Gripz Concept is a radical departure from Nissan’s current 370Z, which is still going strong at six years of age. The concept is powered by a series hybrid system which offers extended driving range. The Gripz also features a 4x4 driving mode, part of what Nissan Chief Creative Officer Shiro Nakamura calls "Crossover Sport." "[This concept] suggests a sense of duality," said Nakamura. It is capable of off-road and city driving."

At the Frankfurt Motor Show, Phillipe Klein (Nissan's product planning chief) told Top Gear that it was "too early" to give specifics about how the Gripz would affect the future of the Z range. However, that deliberate misspelling (or is it mizzpelling?) certainly seems to suggest a connection. Klein's comments also indicate that Nissan also has not ruled out replacing it with a smaller coupe like the concept car it showed off at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show.

It's unlikely that the Gripz concept will make it to production in its current form. Instead, Nakamura says it shows "the extremes to which the compact crossover can be pushed." While you're waiting for more details, you can always stop by the dealership and check out the Nissan models we do have in stock. And if you’re interested in the Nissan 370Z, be sure to take one for a spin before they’re no longer available. Contact us today to schedule a test drive.

Image: Nissan