Nissan Gripz Concept - 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show Live

16/09/2015 - 00:20 Nissan Gripz Concept, Nissan, 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show Ashwin Ram N P

Inspired by classic desert rally cars and racing bicycles.

The Nissan Gripz Concept has been unveiled at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show (2015 IAA) today.

Measuring at a length of 4,100 mm, at a width of 1,890 mm, at a height of 1,500 mm and with wheelbase of 2,580 mm, the Gripz pays homage to the Safari Rally-winning Nissan 240Z from the 1970s. Nissan says the concept is inspired by classic desert rally cars and racing bicycles.

Sporting Nissan’s new ‘emotionalgeometry’ design language, the crossover has the same elements as the Sway concept unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show. It features the V-motion grille, boomerang headlamps and taillamps, a floating roof and a kicked-up C pillar.

While the exterior was from the company's European studio, a team based in Japan designed the interior featuring a mix of matt-grey and the deep red-orange colours that underlines the car’s Tour de France inspiration, featuring exposed tubes, moulded bucket seats and layered features portraying the cladding effect from the exterior.

The seats and centre console are inspired by bicycles, as are the door pulls that are shaped like saddles from a racing bike. The three-spoke steering wheel mimics the car’s wheels, right down to the graphics of the tyre sidewalls. The 'Gliding Wing’ instrument panel from the Sway is also found in the crossover.

"While the Nissan Gripz Concept is not seen as a direct replacement for the Juke or Qashqai, it does show the extremes to which the compact crossover can be pushed,” Shiro Nakamura, Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer said.