(September 11, 2015) FRANKFURT — Designed to build on Nissan's pioneering crossover leadership, Nissan's Gripz Concept will make its global premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The new crossover will bring back the famous Z badge. Nissan says inspiration for the Nissan Gripz came from the legendary 240Z desert racers as well as the sleek two-wheel world of road cycling. The design explores a new sporty direction for a crossover concept and was conceived to create an innovative new driving sensation.

Nissan has been weighing up a variety of options on where to take the famous Z brand as the current 370Z is phased out by 2017. And perhaps with the Gripz Nissan has settled on a rather radical solution — make the next Z car a small sports crossover.