A Z-Badged Nissan Crossover Isn’t Dead Yet

Nissan Gripz Concept (Credit: © Nissan)

The aging 370Z is on borrowed time, and the debt collector is knocking on its door. But while the 370Z is all but gone, one thing is crystal clear: Nissan needs to figure out what to do with its famed Z nameplate. For a while, all signs pointed toward the Z name becoming a sub-brand that included a peppy crossover. That rumor eventually faded, but a new report indicates this may not be dead, yet.

According to a report from CarAdvice.com.au, who bluntly asked Nissan Europe Chairman Paul Wilcox whether or not the new Z car would be a crossover. His response, while guarded, wasn’t an outright denial. He’s quoted, “I wouldn’t rule anything in or rule anything out, but we don’t comment on future products.”

All this hubbub about the possibility of the Z name landing on a crossover followed the debut of the rather sporty Gripz concept crossover. Not only did its sleek, sporty look remind us of the lifted 240Zs that raced in the Safari Rallies in the 1970s, but the “Z” at the end of the name helped fan the Z-branded crossover fire a bit.

With most manufacturers, we would take this non-denial with a grain of salt, but Nissan operates a little differently than most. If a rumor about a future car is untrue, it has no issue coming right out with it. For example, it quickly shot down rumors that the IDx concepts would become part of the Z car lineup. What’s more, we also know that Nissan is turning its focus to the popular crossover segment.

So, will Nissan eventually create a Z-branded crossover? Only time will tell. Let us know what you think in the comments below.