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56 COOLEST CARS / ROLL-OUT<br />
THE COOL WALL<br />
NISSAN GRIPZ<br />
WORDS BY GERARD JUDE CASTILLO<br />
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. A car that can do it all. These are a<br />
couple of ways to describe the radical Nissan Gripz<br />
Concept, which is a mashup of sports car and high-riding<br />
small SUV in one youthful package.<br />
But the 2+2 configuration combined with a raised<br />
compact-crossover platform is no accident. The Gripz<br />
actually pays homage to the legendary Nissan 240Z rally<br />
racer of the ’70s. That cool machine was a sporty coupe<br />
reengineered to meet the grueling demands of the Baja<br />
Peninsula and Tasmania. The exterior wears a lot of Nissan’s trademark<br />
‘boomerang’ styling cues, from the grille to the lights. Carbon trim adds a<br />
sportier touch. We cannot do without that.<br />
Meanwhile, the wheels and several interior bits carry some racing-bikederived<br />
design elements. This inspires a rugged, freewheeling vibe that<br />
makes the occupants feel like they’re one with the elements even if they’re<br />
safely enclosed in the comfy cabin.<br />
And thanks to the technology under its skin, the Gripz is as futuristic as it<br />
looks. It packs a Pure Drive e-Power Series hybrid system, which, in plain<br />
English, is essentially an efficient gasoline mill mated to an equally frugal<br />
and quiet electric motor. This means you can commute to work daily and<br />
play on the weekend on your favorite mountain roads—and do so guilt-free.<br />
How cool is that?