The Vision Gran Turismo program is a series of fictional concept cars for the Gran Turismo video game series, developed by a cross-section of the world's top automobile manufacturers. These vehicles appeared originally in the video games Gran Turismo 6, and later in Gran Turismo Sport, both from Polyphony Digital. For the most part, they apply present-day technology and materials, with two notable exceptions that utilize novel propulsion and aerodynamic technologies. Their appearance as free in-game cars has been staggered since the launch of GT6 in 2013, with each one being available for download upon release. The cars have been met with critical acclaim for their novel approach to aesthetics and performance. Real-life full-size models have been shown at motor shows in Japan, Canada, Germany, England, the USA and Switzerland.
Background
To commemorate the 15th anniversary of the series in 2013, Polyphony Digital announced "Vision Gran Turismo", a special project featuring concept cars designed for the game by top automobile companies, as well as sportswear brands Air Jordan and Nike and coachbuilders such as Zagato.
''Gran Turismo 6''
The Vision Gran Turismo series began in Gran Turismo 6. Each Vision GT vehicle added to the game after its initial release was accompanied with limited-time seasonal events, allowing players to obtain a vehicle by completing a full lap around a specific track.
The first Vision Gran Turismo car was released on 20 November 2013 by Mercedes-Benz, known as the "Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo". It took the form of a long-hooded coupe with no rear window and an active rear spoiler. Eight rectangular exhaust tips are located above and below the single long taillight. The car is characterised as having an aluminum space frame and a twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre M157 AMG V8 engine with an output of. Another virtual Mercedes-Benz model was the first Vision Gran Turismo release for 2014. Based on the original model albeit with racing modifications, the car was named the "Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo Racing Series", and was released on 28 January 2014 as the second official Vision Gran Turismo concept car. This variant of the AMG Vision GT received a power increase to and a sequential transmission, among with some aesthetic upgrades and a weight reduction of.
BMW Vision Gran Turismo
released their own project almost six months later, with the "BMW Vision Gran Turismo". This was a coupe modelled after BMW's touring cars from the 1970s, with plenty of aerodynamic elements and a 3-litre twin-turboinline-six engine producing.
Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV EVOLUTION Vision Gran Turismo
followed with the "Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV EVOLUTION Vision Gran Turismo". Mitsubishi's entry was, as its name suggests, a plug-in hybrid with aggressive, rally-oriented wide-body styling.
Volkswagen GTI Roadster Vision Gran Turismo
released the fifth Vision Gran Turismo concept car a month later, on 18 June 2014. Named the "Volkswagen GTI Roadster Vision Gran Turismo", the low open-top car was then included in the 1.09 update. It is powered by a 3-litre twin-turbo VR6 engine producing.
Nissan CONCEPT 2020 Vision Gran Turismo + Aston Martin DP100 Vision Gran Turismo
The next month had the unveiling of two Vision Gran Turismo cars that were both made available on 25 July 2014, and are from two separate brands, the "Nissan CONCEPT 2020 Vision Gran Turismo" from Nissan, and the "Aston Martin DP100 Vision Gran Turismo" from Aston Martin. These are the seventh and eighth cars to feature in the program, respectively. Both cars have swooping aerodynamic profiles and are heavily inspired by design elements from their brands' past vehicles.
CONCEPT 2020 Vision Gran Turismo
The "Nissan CONCEPT 2020 Vision Gran Turismo" was conceptualised by young designers in the UK before being fleshed out with the assistance of Nissan's engineers in Japan. The end result contains an emphasis on handling and aerodynamics; the car's fenders cut through the air while the undertray creates a passive vacuum, and an active rear spoiler transfers downforce loads directly onto the rear axle. The CONCEPT 2020 is powered by a hybrid system consisting of a V6 engine and three motors. A full-scale replica in a special "Fire Knight" paint colour was displayed at the 44th Tokyo Motor Show in 2014.
DP100 Vision Gran Turismo
Aston Martin's Vision Gran Turismo car is called the "Aston Martin DP100 Vision Gran Turismo", with "DP" an acronym for "Design Prototype". It contains an twin-turbo V12 engine, headlights nestled within NACA ducts on the front fenders, active wheel "blades" to aid in brake cooling, and "light blade" taillights later seen on the limited-production Vulcan.
The final four months of 2014 saw the release of five Vision Gran Turismo cars, with the "Toyota FT-1 Vision Gran Turismo" from Toyota being the first. This was a virtual overhaul of Toyota's original FT-1 concept with Group GT3-style aerodynamics.
The FT-1 VGT was followed by the "Subaru VIZIV GT Vision Gran Turismo" from Subaru, which designer Tomoyuki Kato states was inspired by katsuobushi. This is evoked by the solid, chiseled appearance of the VIZIV GT. It combines Subaru's signature flat-four engine and all-wheel drive layout with electric motors and a torque vectoring system.
Chevrolet-Chaparral 2X Vision Gran Turismo + Infiniti CONCEPT Vision Gran Turismo
The "Chevrolet-Chaparral 2X Vision Gran Turismo" from Chevrolet was released next, created in collaboration with Chaparral. Alongside it was the "Infiniti CONCEPT Vision Gran Turismo" from Infiniti.
Chevrolet-Chaparral 2X Vision Gran Turismo
This vehicle, operated in the prone position, uses pulses of light to propel it to speeds of up to. The vehicle can be seen as an extension of the driver's body, with controls located at the end of each limb in place of a steering wheel and the driver's head within a specialized helmet that integrates with the car's shape. The fictional laser propulsion unit, claimed to be developed by Chevrolet, can be aimed at a specific point on the track surface for increased downforce.
Infiniti CONCEPT Vision Gran Turismo
The "Infiniti CONCEPT Vision Gran Turismo" was created out of Infiniti's desire to create a "pure Infiniti GT car" for the Vision Gran Turismo project. It is powered by a 4.5-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine, and possesses a 45:55 front/rear weight balance for optimum driving enjoyment.
The "Mazda LM55 Vision Gran Turismo" from Mazda was released on 24 December 2014 through its own update and originally found by players before its confirmed addition to the game. It is a low-slung Le Mans Prototype powered by a SkyActivrotary engine with unknown specifications, and draws inspiration from the company's own 787BGroup C car combined with their current "Kodo" design language. The LM55 was included as part of a sculpture displayed at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed, which was subsequently recreated in GT6's version of the Goodwood course for update 1.20.
Another nine cars were added in 2015 for GT6, with a Mini being the first. Revealed as the "Mini Clubman Vision Gran Turismo", the car was added to update 1.16, released on 26 February 2015. A widebody hatchback with X-shaped stickers on the round headlights to simulate tape, the Clubman Vision Gran Turismo was designed solely for racing.
Three cars were revealed a month later on 18 March 2015 in update 1.17, with French automobile manufacturer Alpine's "Alpine Vision Gran Turismo", its racing counterpart, the "Alpine Vision Gran Turismo Race Mode", and Lexus' own "Lexus LF-LC GT Vision Gran Turismo".
Alpine Vision Gran Turismo
The "Alpine Vision Gran Turismo" is an open-top car with a focus on agility. Active aero panels are integrated into the rear fenders and deploy upon braking; the inner faces of the panels contain brake lights that are only visible when the panels are deployed. The "Alpine Vision Gran Turismo Race Mode" is essentially the same vehicle, but with an added rear wing for improved handling.
Much like the earlier "Toyota FT-1 Vision Gran Turismo", the "Lexus LF-LC GT Vision Gran Turismo" is a touring car-style refresh of Lexus' earlier Lexus LF-LC concept car. The in-game car sports a unique livery featuring iridescent brush strokes on the otherwise white body.
Volkswagen GTI Supersport Vision Gran Turismo
Volkswagen's second Vision Gran Turismo car was added to the game on 13 April 2015 in update 1.18, known as the "Volkswagen GTI Supersport Vision Gran Turismo". Unlike its Roadster counterpart, the Supersport is a closed-cockpit car, with larger headlights and taillights. Its engine is assumed to be the same as the one in the Roadster, with an identical configuration and power output.
Peugeot Vision Gran Turismo
would release their first of three Vision Gran Turismo cars in the program, the first one known simply as the "Peugeot Vision Gran Turismo". The car was added in update 1.19, on 31 May 2015. It is powered by a midship-mounted 3.2-litre V6 and has an active rear wing.
The final three cars added to the Gran Turismo 6 game were all from SRT, the performance division of Dodge. The cars were collectively known as the "SRT Tomahawk Vision Gran Turismo", and came in three different trim levels: S, GTS-R, and X. The Tomahawks, having been designed for 2035, possess various technologies that cannot be attained at the present day, such as graphene bodies and tires that can withstand speeds of over. They were added in the final update patch, 1.20, released on 26 June 2015, owing to the upcoming cessation of support for the PlayStation 3.
Release history
''Gran Turismo Sport''
The first three cars to feature in Gran Turismo Sport were all included in the original release of the game.
were the first to release their car, with the "Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo", added to the game on 14 September 2015. The car served as a launch platform for Hyundai's N performance division, as well as a glimpse into the future of fuel cell technology in motorsports.
Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo
were the second to unveil their car, with the "Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo", which was originally teased in a trailer titled #imaginEBugatti. The car was unveiled two weeks later, releasing on 24 September 2015. It is essentially a race-oriented precursor to the Chiron, with Bugatti's signature W16 engine, and pays homage to the Bugatti Type 57s that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1937 and 1939.
Fittipaldi EF7 Vision Gran Turismo
On 1 February 2017, Fittipaldi Motors, headed by Emerson Fittipaldi, teased their Vision GT car, the "Fittipaldi EF7 Vision Gran Turismo by Pininfarina", a collaboration between Fittipaldi, Pininfarina, and HWA. The model for the car was revealed on 7 March 2017 at the Geneva International Motor Show. A limited production run of 39 track-only vehicles is planned, with owners eligible for race coaching from Fittipaldi himself.
McLaren Ultimate Vision Gran Turismo
On 20 September 2017, McLaren Automotive teased their Vision GT car, the "McLaren Ultimate Vision Gran Turismo". It was revealed the next day. For a vastly improved field of vision, the car is driven in a prone position, and it also possesses a hybrid system and lightweight structure.
Daihatsu added their own VGT car, based on the second-gen Daihatsu Copen, called the "Daihatsu Copen RJ Vision Gran Turismo". It is a closed-top version of the Copen with performance improvements.
Peugeot L500R HYbrid Vision Gran Turismo
Peugeot also added a second and third car to the program, dubbed the "Peugeot L500R HYbrid Vision Gran Turismo", and its racing variant, the "Peugeot L750R HYbrid Vision Gran Turismo". Both cars were added in the first stable release of the game.
IsoRivolta Zagato Vision Gran Turismo
and Zagato revealed their car on 24 October 2017, as the "IsoRivolta Zagato Vision Gran Turismo". The car was added in the 1.06 update and features a Chevrolet-supplied V8 with an output of.
The last Vision Gran Turismo car of 2017 came on November 9, when Honda debuted the "Honda Sports Vision Gran Turismo". At its core a smaller version of the Honda NSX, it weighs just and is powered by a midship-mounted 2-litre turbocharged inline-four engine producing.
On 4 April 2018, Audi Sport GmbH teased their Vision Gran Turismo car under the YouTube channel of Gran Turismo. The car was revealed four days later in fully functioning form, and in Gran Turismo Sport, as the "Audi e-tron Vision Gran Turismo". Another car was revealed alongside the e-tron, but abandons the "e-tron" moniker and uses a 3.4-liter turbocharged V6, making it a hybrid. This car was simply named the "Audi Vision Gran Turismo" and only exists in-game.
After more than a year of inactivity concerning the Vision Gran Turismo program, Jaguar officially unveiled their "Vision Gran Turismo Coupé" on 25 October 2019. The car takes the form of a grand touringcoupé and is powered by three electric motors, which produce a total power output of. It was added to the game on 28 November 2019.
On 24 November 2019, Lamborghini revealed their Vision Gran Turismo entry—a single-seat performance car, loosely resembling a sports prototype, powered by the same V12 hybrid powertrain as the Sián FKP 37. The car is planned to be released in the spring of 2021.
Release history
Race-regulated variants
Several of the Vision Gran Turismo cars have variants that have been modified to meet regulations for race classes such as Group GT3 or WEC. Most of the unmodified VGT cars are in the "Group X" category, intended for vehicles not suitable for other categories.
Recognition
On 23 January 2016, the Japan Car Design Awards ceremony was held in Minato, Tokyo, where “Gran Turismo” received the Golden Marker Special Award in recognition of the contribution made with the “Vision Gran Turismo” project. The trophy was presented by a collection of journalists and car designers.
