The company had been considering a smaller car, potentially inspired by the retro-styled IDx concepts or serving as a spiritual successor to the original 240Z. Execs have now settled on a different approach, namely a sporty compact crossover, unnamed sources have told Autocar.
Nissan already offers a Nismo-tuned Juke, however the Z-badged crossover is expected to bring a more traditional appearance. It could be closer in form to the global-market Qashqai (pictured), but in a smaller package.
The latest report speculates that a Z crossover will feature a streamlined profile with little headroom for rear-seat passengers. It is unclear if it will be presented as a coupe-like two-door model or in a four-door configuration.
A production model would likely be built upon Renault-Nissan’s CMF-B platform and outfitted with several different small-displacement turbocharged engines. Hybrid powertrains are also mentioned as a possibility.
Nissan is expected to test the waters with several concept vehicles, the first of which could appear next month in Frankfurt.
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