We're Still Waiting for the e-tron Vision Gran Turismo
From video games to reality comes this new vehicle from Audi that brings automotive enthusiasts and gamers together.
A beautiful concept
The e-tron Vision Gran Turismo was originally created just for the virtual racetracks of Gran Turismo on the Playstation 4 console. However, just ahead of the Formula E race last month in Rome, Audi threw back the cover on the fleshed out EV concept. What sets this vehicle apart from prior Vision concepts that have been produced by various brands is that this one can move under its own power. That power being 815 horsepower coming from three electric motors and battery packs. The curb weight of the racer is just 3,197 pounds which makes us hopeful that this concept racer becomes more than just a "race taxi" at Formula E events.
Race taxi?
“E-Mobility is rapidly gaining importance,” comments Peter Mertens, a member of the board of management at Audi. “That is why in 2017 Audi was the first German manufacturer to enter Formula E with a factory-backed commitment. In our development laboratory motorsport, we are continuously expanding our expertise in e-mobility and gathering valuable experience also in extremely demanding conditions. With the Audi E-Tron Vision Gran Turismo race taxi, we are turning electric mobility into a tangible experience for our customers and guests as part of the Formula E races – in the middle of the world’s metropolises.”
>>Join the conversation about the Audi E-Tron Vision Gran Turismo right here in the AudiWorld Forum!
Where's the radio?
The interior of the concept has a small digital dash that gives the driver all of the information they need to know about the vehicle. A small switch panel controls power to the steering and other necessities and small steering wheel with which to guide the near 1,000 horsepower e-tron.
The vehicle was partly built using individual components from Audi's forthcoming E-Tron and is powered by two electric motors on the front axle and one on the rear.
>>Join the conversation about the Audi E-Tron Vision Gran Turismo right here in the AudiWorld Forum!
A tip of the hat
The paint scheme of the Vision Gran Turismo was chosen as an homage to the IMSA GTO Audis of the late 1980s that were piloted by Walter Röhrl, Hans-Joachim Stuck, Hurley Haywood, and Scott Goodyear. Audi's Marc Lichte says: "Although the design of a virtual vehicle allows much greater freedom and the creation of concepts which are only hard to implement in reality, we did not want to put a purely fictitious concept on wheels. Our aim was a fully functional car."
This Vision Gran Turismo series is the brainchild of Kazunori Yamauchi, which has also given rise to other cars such as the Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo and the Merc AMG Vision Gran Turismo.
>>Join the conversation about the Audi E-Tron Vision Gran Turismo right here in the AudiWorld Forum!
Virtual to reality
In Rome for the Formula race, the all-electric concept was used as a race taxi which means customers and guests of Audi to experience the racer with either former DTM driver Rahel Frey or Le Mans winner Dindo Capello behind the wheel. Developed in just 11 months, the vehicle will be deployed at all Formula E races over in Europe and other events this year.
Two versions of the virtual car, an all EV version and a hybrid version, are available to race in the game.
>>Join the conversation about the Audi E-Tron Vision Gran Turismo right here in the AudiWorld Forum!
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