Ever since the debut of the Nissan Gripz Concept, it's apparent that people have lost their minds, proclaiming that the 370Z sports car is on its path to being given the good 'ol heave ho. In other words, that it would be killed off.
Although the thing is, we've been stewing on this a bit more and it seems like we have official word to confirm our initial speculation this was not the best move in the modern day automotive playbook.
2015 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA)
According to an interview with NISMO's Chief Product Specialist, Hiroshi Tamura, the Gripz is a necessary evil and would serve as a complement to the next-generation 370Z.
THINK: if the Gripz and 370Z can be analogized to the Macan and Cayman, that would be a beautiful relationship for Nissan's performance-oriented products. The Macan keeps the Cayman in production, as does the Cayenne for the 911. Buyers want sport-utility vehicles, especially ones geared for performance, and it seems very clear that's what Nissan is looking to do with the Gripz.
...Asked if the Gripz – the ‘z’ in which is a direct reference to Nissan’s famed Z badge — would replace the 370Z, Tamura said: “No, I don’t want to do that”.
“I have a passion. My status as chief product specialist is not only NISMO product planner. I have to do this also for base GT-R and 370Z,” he stated.
The Gripz was a ‘different animal’, he explained. “That is my understanding..."
2015 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA)
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