Next-gen Nissan Z likely to be a crossover

After over four decades of Nissan’s Z line-up of cars ruling the tag of small affordable sportscars, starting with the legendary 240Z introduced in 1969, followed by the 280Z, 300Z, 350Z, and the most recent 370Z, the carmaker plans on bring back the Z badge. Only this time, it will be a sporty crossover. The concept Z-Crossover is expected to be on display at the upcoming Frankfurt motor show in September, and is expected to go on sale internationally by 2017.

With the Z-Crossover, Nissan plans to meet the requirements of Z-car fans, while also tapping into the hugely popular crossover segment in the US.

Nissan has considered its 1.6-litre turbocharged line-up of engines for a high-performance variant, and smaller 1.2 and 1.5-litre four-cylinder engines for the crossover, also featured on the iDx compact coupé concepts.

The new Z's proportions will place it between the Nissan Juke and the Nissan Qashqai, and will be built on the Common Module Family (CMF) platform, developed under the Nissan-Renault Alliance, which will also underpin the upcoming Renault Quid. The new platform allows for flexibility to accommodate hybrid powertrains. Nissan is yet to divulge any details about the car’s design or profile, but the Z-crossover is expected to sport a coupé-like silhouette. The car could also be placed as a two-seater crossover, and could receive upgrades from Nismo, Nissan’s performance tuning division.

The new Z is expected to find a middle ground and to cater to SUV buyers who find the Nissan Juke a tad too small, and the Qashqai far too big. The Z-crossover is rumoured to be priced lower than the outgoing 370Z. The top-end variants of the car may enter the Qashqai territory. 

In addition, given the strong sales of the Juke, Nissan is considering a smaller Juke-based crossover. The next iteration of the Juke will also adopt the CMF platform, with only styling changes on the exterior.