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Gaming
Here's every Gran Turismo concept worth caring about
Gamers of the world, unite. These are the wild 'Vision' concepts from GT
41,000,000,000+ miles raced online and 70,000+ million units sold over the course of 15 years. And this is how Kazunori Yamauchi likes to celebrate. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the Vision GTs from Gran Turismo.
Kazunori, of course, is the creator of the legendary PlayStation racing title, and for the 15th anniversary and sixth iteration of GT, sounded the concept klaxon, to marshal the world's carmakers to come up with lairy creations to include in the new game.
To deride his Master Plan would have been easy; ‘virtual' cars that will never see the light of day, destined to be argued over by the gaming community... it'd never catch on, right?
Tell that to Mercedes, who got the ball rolling with the deliciously evil Vision GT concept seen at the 2013 LA Motor Show. Or to Chevrolet, who rolled out the madcap Chaparral GT. Or to Alpine, and the 450bhp, V8-engined GT. Or to Lexus, and the monster LF-LC GT (above). Or indeed, to the other carmakers who stepped up to the plate and went a bit crazy.
You can now see the lot in our Happy Gallery Of Slightly Imaginary Brilliance. Ready, player one...
Advertisement - Page continues belowChevrolet Chaparral Vision GT
We're told the 2X - in the game at least - packs a 671kW laser (cue Dr Evil close up) powered by a pack of lithium-ion batteries, and an air-powered generator to produce a cool, clean 900bhp. Think McLaren P1 territory. Chevy tells us this powertrain was "inspired by technology derived from advanced work targeted at space travel and future aircraft design." This is excellent inspiration.
How does it work? The mid-mounted laser beamed energy propulsion system, we're told, pulses beams of light that focus in a shroud, to create shock waves that generate massive thrust...
Infiniti Vision GT
The styling certainly references the company's recent concept form, all smooth, flowing surfaces, pinched lights and monster diffusers. Even the rear wing - normally a Halfords special - is sinewy and graceful. We're told it's a 'front mid-ship' setup with a 45:55 front-rear balance...
Advertisement - Page continues belowSubaru VIZIV Vision GT
It's been virtually built out of carbon, with a virtual weight of 1,380kg , packing a virtual version of Subaru's classic 2.0-litre flat-four engine. Oh, and there's a virtual turbocharger too, and three virtual electric motors - two in the rear, one up front - to give a total, virtual system output of 591bhp and 590lb ft of torque.
"By independently controlling each of the motor outputs," says Subaru, "turning ability while cornering is drastically improved, while torque vectoring lamps built into the fenders visualise its movement." Right...
Toyota FT-1 Vision GT
If the shape rings familiar, it's because this Vision GT is modelled on the stunning FT-1 sports car concept we saw at the Detroit Motor Show a few years back, designed by those clever types at Toyota's CALTY studio in California.
CALTY studied real-world circuits and race cars to incorporate the necessary cooling and downforce addendums, designed by process of ‘function sculpting', which sounds vaguely sinister to us. Point is, it's all functional - or at least would be, if the VGT were real. Which it isn't. Still, it gets massive wheelarches, larger tyres, enlarged air intakes, front fins, a bigger rear diffuser and of, course, the obligatory MASSIVE WING...
Aston Martin DP-100 Vision GT
The HDMI socket grill remains, of course, and the light blade rear lamps and judicious use of yellow are reminiscent of the CC100 Speedster Concept. Design Director Marek Reichman says "many of the design cues visible ... could also feed through into future sports cars that we'll launch in the offline world. The importance of this project should not be underestimated."
There will also be a digital twin-turbo V12 offering up 800bhp in the game: imagine the NA monster from the One-77 with a couple of massive blowers on it, although that can probably remain strictly a virtual fantasy for now...
Mitsubishi XR-PHEV Vision GT
Mitsubishi's crack team channeled the spirit of their motorsport division and applied it to the small SUV, essentially losing height and adding some motorsport girth to the front and rear wings, sills and of course, the rear. No self-respecting GT car would be complete without a monster wing.
The body is made from carbon fibre reinforced plastic, there are 20-inch aluminium wheels, along with front and rear diffusers, while the grille is a glimpse at the next generation of Mitsubishi front-ends - fine by us - said to evoke ‘an athlete at crouching position on a starting line'.
We're not entirely sure if this athlete is an Usain Bolt or a high-school hopeful, however, because no word is made of the drivetrain, other than the fact it's a plug-in hybrid EV system...
Advertisement - Page continues belowMercedes-Benz Vision GT
According to Merc design chief Gorden Wagener, the Gran Turismo reflects ‘the perfect symbiosis between emotional, sensuous contours and intelligently presented high tech'. We believe this is design-speak for ‘looks ready to cause bloody mayhem at a petting zoo'.
Under ‘styling influences', Merc namechecks both its 1952 300 SL race car and the current A-Class (no, really), but odds fails to mention ‘murderous robot sent from the future to enslave us all'.
Facts are short on the ground, but we know the Gran Turismo uses a 585bhp twin-turbo V8 of unspecified size, and weighs just 1385kg. We're not sure exactly what size those wheels are, though with the Gran Turismo rolling on approximately six microns of rubber, we suspect it may ride on the firm side...
BMW Vision GT
This BMW follows the ‘successful BMW touring cars of the 1970s'. We're told it's built for fast laps and optimum handling (well, duh), and anticipates "future racing trends". We can only hope that future racing will take place in the real world as well as virtually. But hey, if it looks half as good as this, we won't complain.
We're told the digital BMW hosts a 3.0-litre straight-six engine, good for 550bhp (why the hell not?) and peak torque of 501lb ft, running through a six-speed sequential transmission to the rear axle. In game, the kerbweight is a lithe 1180kg, and there's perfect 50:50 weight distribution...
Advertisement - Page continues belowRed Bull X2014
So this one's not strictly a Vision GT car, but one created just for Gran Turismo 6 by Adrian Newey as the ultimate racing car.
Our brains are still trying to digest the speed of this thing. While we do, read the full story at the link below.
Alpine Vision GT
So what lies beneath its bonkers looks? A 4.5-litre V8 engine with 450bhp and 428lb ft sits amidships. It drives the rear wheels through a seven-speed sequential gearbox, while stopping power comes courtesy of stocky vented discs, measuring 390mm at the front, 355mm rear.
It's good for a top speed of 199mph - you'd think eking out an extra virtual 1mph would have been possible - while the Alpine Vision GT weighs 900kg, less than a 0.9-litre Renault Twingo...
Lexus LF-LC Vision GT
This is based on the LF-LC concept - that's the RC-F before it became a real car - designed as far back as 2012 by Lexus' Californian studio. There is talk of jet aircraft inspiration and lots of 'emotion'.
"The pure white body of the LF-LC Vision GT contains in its brush strokes the resonating exhaust tones, quickening pulse, and moments of excitement that attracts racing fans," says Lexus.
With that racing stance, muscular haunches, ludicrously low ride height, 'Predator' grille and monster rear wing, you have to admit, it does look good. Is your pulse quickening? IS IT?
Mini Clubman Vision GT
Under that bodywork is an unspecified powertrain sending no fewer than 395 horsepowers to all four wheels through a sequential six-speed transmission, allowing the Clubman concept to hit a conceptual 62mph in a conceptual 3.5 seconds.
Whether that conceptual powertrain is petrol, diesel, electric, hydrogen or some combination thereof remains unclear. It is quite possible that even Mini itself isn't quite certain yet.
We're told the Clubman concept is built from plenty of conceptual carbon, with conceptual 22-inch wheels framing a conceptually wider track. There are many conceptual spoilers and air vents, and a conceptual top speed of 180mph...
Volkswagen GTI Supersport Vision GT
Hiding underneath all the aerodynamic trickery is a 503bhp VR6 engine mated to a seven-speed DSG, which plants all that virtual horsepower to the track via VW's ‘4Motion' all-wheel drive system. With 417lb ft of torque is on tap, the Supersport does 0-62 in 3.6 seconds and flies past 186mph at the top end. It tips the virtual scales at just over 1200kg thanks to plenty of carbon fibre.
The Supersport takes clear inspiration from the 500bhp Design Vision super-Golf VW brought along to please the enthusiasts at the annual Worthersee meeting in 2013: the taillight blades, flared arches and floating buttresses sweeping upwards into the rear of the car all hark back to that 500bhp concept...
Nissan Concept 2020 Vision GT
This is "a vision of what a high performance Nissan could look like in the future", runs the official line from Nissan. Hmm... next GT-R, anyone?
Let's see: this Vision GT gets a twin-turbo V6, four-wheel-drive, active aero (with 400kg of downforce at 186mph), and torque vectoring. Oh, and three electric motors for additional oomph.
Volkswagen GTI Roadster Vision GT
The headline of course, is that engine. It's a 3.0-litre, twin-turbo V6 TSI (out of the Touareg) producing a whopping 500bhp and 413lb ft of torque, complete with a seven speed DSG gearbox and VW's ‘4MOTION' all-wheel-drive system.
Because it only has to propel a kerbweight of 1,420kg, the GTI Roadster is capable of accelerating from 0-62mph in 3.6 seconds and top out at 192mph. Better wear a helmet, because you may have noticed there is no roof...
Mazda LM55 Vision GT
The name honours Mazda’s unlikely Le Mans victor from 1991, the stupendous, screaming 787B which wore - you guessed it - number 55. That’s the key influence to the LM55’s styling, which also blends in the ‘Kodo’ design language Mazda shouts so keenly about.
Over to Mazda: “The Mazda LM55 Vision Gran Turismo barely tips the scales with lightweight, carbon fibre components, including a monocoque chassis clad in striking atmospheric white paint.
“Pair this with advanced drivetrain technology that offers the epitome of power, efficiency and durability and the result is an exceptional power to weight ratio exceeding that of most cars in its class."
Peugeot L750R Vision GT
The L750 R’s name comes from its 750ps (740bhp) total output, produced by a combination of petrol engine (572bhp) and electric motor (168bhp). The former apparently revs to 10,000rpm. Which given it’s an entirely virtual engine, you should do so frequently, as mechanical sympathy really isn’t necessary.
There’s an ‘innovative dual-circuit hydraulic braking system’ while, at 825kg, the L750 R weighs a handy 175kg less than the L500 it’s based upon. Only it doesn’t, because pixels all weigh the same. Presumably.
But ignore our cynicism; its near-900bhp/tonne power-to-weight ratio is beaten only by the Koenigseggs and Venoms of this world. So it ought to be a stellar choice in the game.
SRT Tomahawk Vision GT
SRT, Chrysler’s answer to Merc’s AMG department, has designed a racecar of the future. And it has been designed to break you into lots of little pieces. Please be upstanding - or hiding-behind-the-sofa-in-fear - for the SRT Tomahawk.
There are three, ahem, ‘trim levels’ available. The entry-level Tomahawk is the ‘S’ (the red one), which features a 7.0-litre, wide-angle V10 (a nod to the Dodge Viper, naturally) that kicks out 792bhp to the rear wheels, with a further 215bhp from the pneumatically driven front wheels. That makes 1,007 horses in total, a kerbweight of 918kg and a 250mph top speed.
The ‘GTS-R’ version (the one with the race livery) gets the same setup, but with power up to a total of 1,450bhp - 1,137bhp from the same V10, 313bhp from the front. This one weighs just 662kg and will top out at 300mph. Obviously.
Finally, you have the range-topping ‘X’ version; SRT’s very own Big Daddy Box Meal, Whopper and Big Mac all rolled into one. The V10 redlines at 14,500rpm and shoves 2,168bhp to the back, while another 422bhp of oomph from the pneumatically driven front wheels, to make 2,590bhp worth of whoopee.
Top speed? 404mph. SRT tell us if it were real, which it most definitely is not, you’d need a G-suit to protect your organs from imploding. A G-suit that gets compressed air stuffed in it whenever you hit the Tomahawk’s brakes, to ‘pressurise’ you. We think they may have misspelled ‘vaporise’.
Hyundai N 2025 Vision GT
There’s more than a hint of Le Mans Prototype about its proportions, particularly its elongated tail, which has a rear fin not unlike the latest LMP1 hybrids.
It then veers off into an even more cartoonish Hot Wheels-esque world: just look at the size of wheel compared to body-work. Its like an eight-year-old’s exercise book sketch made real.
Of course it’s not completely real. It’s a physical model of the latest addition to Gran Turismo, but we doubt its 872bhp hydrogen and super-capacitor drivetrain actually exists beneath the barmy skin. But that set-up doesn’t half sound cool regardless.
Bugatti Vision GT
It was inspired by the Type 57 Bugatti that took Le Mans victories in 1937 and 1939 - hence the blue paintjob - and is said to have been designed for outright performance. Bugatti engineers worked for six months modelling driving dynamics and aerodynamics, to make sure the Vision GT could work as a proper, balls-to-the-wall racecar.
And of course, it was the precursor to the Chiron...
Fittipaldi EF7 Vision GT
Sharks. A McLaren P1 GTR. Love of a Brazilian homeland. There’s a selection of the ingredients that were poured into the creation of the Fittipaldi Motors EF7 Vision Gran Turismo by Pininfarina. OK, the name needs a trim, but that’s an intriguing mood board.
The EF7 exists because of the most mouthwatering foundation a supercar can be conceived upon. A F1 world champion cherry-picking suppliers to build him the ultimate no-compromise machine. And, just maybe, a chance for the godfather of Italian supercar style to settle a professional score.
McLaren Ultimate Vision GT
McLaren being McLaren, there’s a full set of specs provided for what is in reality nothing more than a collection of pixels, code and wild imagination. Power is generated by an angrier version of the 720S’s 4.0-litre biturbo V8, allied with front wheel-mounted ‘pod motors’.
Total system output lies north of 1,150bhp, and thanks to an extensive carbonfibre construction, the hybrid weighs in at exactly 1,000kg. Anyone care to calculate the bhp-per-tonne ratio?
IsoRivolta Zagato Vision GT
May we present a brand new supercar courtesy of Zagato. The illustrious coachbuilder, with a roster of astonishing metal to its name, has created a bespoke chassis and bolted a tuned, twin-turbo 6.2-litre V8 engine from a Corvette…, um, somewhere, to create an impossibly fast supercar.
It pumps out a theoretical 997bhp, which we’ll round up to 1,000bhp. It weighs a claimed 1,129kg. Zagato reckons it’ll go from 0-62mph in 2.7s, which gives it more accelerative prowess than a Lamborghini Aventador, Porsche 911 Turbo S, and puts it on a level pegging with a Koenigsegg Regera.
Honda Sports Vision GT
It is the Honda Sports Vision Gran Turismo, built for Kazunori-san’s seminal driving simulator. So, while one full-scale model actually exists, you’ll only ever drive it digitally.
The theme here is ‘human centred design’, which is quite weird for a car that no human will ever sit in, but those are but mere details when the design does indeed look fantastic. All squat, futuristic lines, like a shrunken NSX.
We’re told that in theory, the car utilises much carbon fibre to keep the bodyweight down to an impossible 899kg. A full 100kg lighter than – if you cast your mind back – Lamborghini’s Sesto Elemento concept, itself deploying much CF.
Audi e-tron Vision GT
Put simply, the e-tron Vision GT is what happens when you put one of Audi’s ultra-iconic 90 IMSA GTOs from 1989 and its latest Formula E electric tech into a blender.
Powering the futuristic racer are three 220kW electric motors good for a combined output of 815bhp. Which, given it weighs 1,450kg, equates to a punchy power-to-weight ratio of 562bhp per tonne and 0-62 sprint of 2.5secs thanks to a specially developed Quattro four-wheel drive system.
Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo Coupe
Jag's imaginary racer is (or rather, 'would be') made from carbon fibre and aluminium alloys. Three e-motors produce a combined 1,020bhp and, thanks to recordings taken of an old D-Type, very interesting noises.
Lamborghini V12 Vision Gran Turismo
Revealed at the Gran Turismo Championship World Finals in Monaco, the Lamborghini Lambo V12 (yep, that's its name) is unusual for a Vision GT car, in that it has an actual engine - like the Sián it has a hybridised V12. Lambo's calculations say were this thing to exist in real life, it would weigh less than 900kg.
