2008 provided Nissan with the extroverted study Qazana in Geneva for sensation, and especially when two years later the design of the concept car with the small SUV was largely unchanged. Something similar could now be repeated: The B-segment study Gripz shown at the IAA is not officially intended for construction, but it would not be surprising if the vision would come true again in a year or two - perhaps with the Juke II.
The study, which was unveiled at the Frankfurt trade fair, is based on lush 22-inch wheels, which, in relation to the manageable dimensions of the small car, look even more massive than they are anyway; especially with the rear-mounted 255 tires. At the front there is a pointed nose, including the wide, vertical radiator grille with a V-shaped chrome emblem. The side view is dominated by the rising shoulder area, thanks to the silver-colored paintwork, it also looks as if the roof line is dropping sharply backwards - together, this gives a lot of dynamism even when the vehicle is standing. The Japanese call this geometry characterized by edges and angular shapes "Geometry Design" and see the Gripz "a little monster that circles in a roundabout all the time" - admittedly a daring idea.
At the rear, the rear window extends up to the upright, shield-like trunk lid, which also serves as a spoiler. Left and right flank him with curved lights reminiscent of the BMW i8. Underneath, very classic, two tailpipes. The Gripz needs it too, although it actually runs on electricity. However, the battery, which drives all four wheels by means of an electric motor, runs out of juice, an unspecified range extender leaps into the breach and generates fresh energy. But he shouldn't drive the car himself. The electric drive unit is borrowed from the Nissan Leaf and should therefore deliver around 80 kW / 109 hp and provide 250 Newton meters of torque. However, Nissan refuses to give exact details, as well as the exact dimensions. However, the Gripz, with a length of around 4,10 meters and a height of around 1,50 meters, is likely to have pretty juke dimensions.
Access to the cockpit is via swinging doors that swing open to the front and open at the push of a button - so there is no need for door handles that could wrinkle on the tightly fitting sheet metal cover. In the front row and in the rear there are bucket seats covered with smooth leather, reminiscent of a bicycle saddle. The back seat is entered through “suicide doors” hinged at the back; due to the lack of B-pillars, boarding is easy.
Inside, the Japanese rely on matte red plastic, which is here and there puffed up with light pads - such as on the dashboard, on the center armrest or on the sides of the center console. The round ventilation nozzles are reminiscent of jet turbines, the large carbon valance could also be the rim of a racing bike. Behind it there is a single round instrument with integrated, small additional clocks. The next one is the stubby gear selector lever, while the infotainment display that appears to float freely on the dashboard looks futuristic. Does this look like the new multimedia system Nissan? Whether the Japanese really want to do without exterior mirrors soon is still open. In the study, cameras are already doing their job.
Whether and if so, how the design language of the Gripz at Nissan is implemented in the series is still in the stars. But the direction is clear: At the moment, with the exception of the Juke, the Japanese, with Micra, Pulsar and Qashqai, have rather simple models with little recognition value in their portfolios - that should change again in the future. And the "Geometry Design" is a good step towards a new family face.
Author: Michael Gebhardt / SP-X