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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?

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