Kazanori Yamauchi, the video game guru behind the successful Gran Turismo series, sparked a jaw-dropping design competition to celebrate GT’s 15th anniversary. A few automotive brands have already turned their concept drafts into real-life displays – and now Volkswagen is set to publicly reveal its GTI Roadster Vision Gran Turismo concept at the Worthersee Festival next week.
“When Sony asked us if we would develop a Vision GTI vehicle exclusively for the game to mark the 15th anniversary of Gran Turismo, we didn’t hesitate for a second,” explained VW design chief Klaus Bischoff.
Bischoff and Yamauchi, a collector of Golf GTI, oversaw the company’s internal competition for the concept’s design. This yielded a 503 horsepower roadster that pushes the limits of the GTI model, pushing it into a new futuristic and inspiring direction. The automaker claims that this V6 Roadster could reach 60 MPH in 3.5 seconds and hit a top speed of 192 MPH.
It is unlikely, however, that the GTI Vision will be more than a gorgeous and complex – not to mention costly – art project. The vehicle does not meet any safety or regulatory parameters that would allow it to enter production. Though this competition did not spawn a new model for us to ogle and wait anxiously for in the showroom, it was not purposeless. It demonstrated the vision and creativity of Volkswagen’s designers. We get a chance to see the potential for the future, and we hope that advancements in engineering will allow companies like Volkswagen to unlock its potential; to improve an already impressive brand.
You won’t find a GTI Vision at Leith Volkswagen in Cary, but you will find an incredible lineup of VW models that range the full gamut from compact to SUV. We welcome you to come speak with one of our brand specialists regarding Volkswagen’s sophisticated German engineering.
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