Bojan Vrbnjak
There are probably quite a few of you who have spent countless hours in Sony's Gran Turismo series of racing games, otherwise you wouldn't have made it to the eighth installment. Over 25 years of chasing cars around virtual tracks that seem unattainable in the real world.
The story is different with the VW GTI Roadster Vision Gran Turismo, although we'll probably never drive it either. In 2014, Gran Turismo 6 had only been on the market for six months when VW gave the Japanese game maker a 15th birthday present. The VW Vision Pro, developed exclusively for this game, saw the light of day in the racing simulation. A flat-top roadster based on the 'heritage of the GTI series', as VW aptly described it at the time. A tribute to the compact sports car, which in 2014 had only been on the market for a year in its seventh generation. However, it was not to remain a mere virtual version for long: just three days later, the Vision Gran Turismo suddenly appeared at the GTI meeting at Lake Wörthersee as a VW GTI Roadster… life-size.
It is powered by a three-liter VR6 TSI bi-turbo engine with 503 hp and 665 Nm of torque. In combination with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and sports programming, it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3,6 seconds - the end of acceleration is said to reach only 309 km/h. The emphasis is on "should", as all driving values are simulated. Although the design study can be driven, the driving speed is limited to 30 km/h. 20-inch wheels measuring 235/35 at the front and 275/30 at the rear deliver power to the road via all-wheel drive. Ventilated ceramic brakes from the Audi range with a large diameter of 380 mm at the front and 356 mm at the rear also bring the GTI Roadster to a stop easily. Driving dynamics are ensured by a specially developed chassis based on the Golf 7 model. From January to May 2014, VW engineers are working on the GTI Roadster so that the virtual Vision Gran Turismo will be ready in time for the premiere. The basis for the body is a frame made of lattice tubes.
The exterior is also extreme: carbon accessories, huge air inlets on the sides and a flat windshield characterize the image. The aerodynamically optimized front and rear spoilers and especially the diffuser element provide the necessary downforce. The result is a manageable total weight of 1.420 kilograms. Nostalgia also covers the color scheme: "Gran Turismo Red" is not only a tribute to the jubilee, but also a new interpretation of the classic GTI red color. The classic roadster has two seats that look more like a sardine can when you look at the Alcantara interior. VW has brought back the now ten-year-old GTI Roadster for its 50th birthday and is currently exhibiting it at the GTI Fan Fest in Wolfsburg. Now wouldn't it be a good time to introduce a new sports car with an open roof... wouldn't it, VW?
