Ferrari Vision Gran Turismo: Maranello’s First Dedicated Virtual Motor Sports Concept Car

It’s the time to rejoice for all the ravenous racing fans as Ferrari unveils its maiden hard-core concept sports car for the world of virtual reality. Taking the concept of simulation to a whole new horizon, from Ferrari’s workshop in Maranello, comes the Vision Gran Turismo- a closed-wheel single-seater that contemporaneously pays homage to 75 illustrious years of the brand’s heritage and proficiency in creating road and track weapons that could annihilate everything while making its owner and driver feel proud of owning a piece of sheer excellence. In the year 1947, the first prancing horse from the marque’s stables, the 125 S drove off the factory gates to provide ignition to a journey full of splendour, doughtiness and cutting-edge innovation.

The concept will also inspire design ambition for the make’s future models as its inception into an electrifying future is imminent and that would demand certain departures from the current design philosophy. The concept tries to be as gaudy and futuristic as possible to enchant the brand and motorsport fans.

Coming to life under the fine craftsmanship of Flavio Manzoni, one of those proficient designers at Ferrari Centro Stile, place where all model plans see the light of the day, this concept receives a lot of impetus from the prominent 1960s and 70s’ models that emerged victorious and brought the glorious laurels home by showing their tenacious attitude on endurance races such as the 24-hours of Le Mans, where the brand outdid its rivals by a staggering 9-times and 24-hours of Daytona. Those deeply etched by Ferrari will recognise traces of 330 P3 and 512 S in its design.

Even if it were just a concept, it had to stand out from the crowd and instantly inveigle the players. Hence, right from the sketches, its haute-couture was conceived by incorporating geometric, sharp and angular lines into the body. It’s not all shape and no substance. Physics’ sorcery was moulded well into the design. The two bulbous side channels have been shoehorned into the body to direct airflow from the carbon-fibre underbody to scythe the car like a smooth knife cutting through butter. The extremely imperative downforce is effectively generated by these to keep the body poised and contact built with the tarmac so the ride never gets lumpy for the racer. The hind aerodynamics’ fruition happened through utilisation of concepts that emulated the Ferrari 499P, specially around the diffuser and the rear biplane wing. Clinching the design prowess is the S-Duct and air vents coalesced with the wheel arches that provide the car, respectable high-speed etiquette.

Under the hood, lies a 120-degree 3-litre turbo V6 block which has demonstrated its value prior to this in the 296 GTB, 296 GTS and 296 GT3. Unlike the other cars underpinned by this engine, since the Vision Gran Turismo is a concept, there were no regulations with regard to emissions. Thus, Ferrari has enlivened the engine to make it surge to manic peaks in terms of outright performance. As a result, the car pumps out a relentless 1030 hp at a staggering 9000 rpm. Unmoved? It also churns out an extra 326 hp from a trio of electric motors, one of which is affixed to the rear axle and the other two on each of the front wheels fully optimising its AWD drivetrain.

A unique feature of this virtual concept is that Ferrari joined hands with Gran Turismo to ensure that the zesty and gutsy engine’s sonic parameters provided an unbearable experience to the racers. Its chassis has been constructed in such a way so as to maximise stability while the car hovers over cambers. A new elasto-kinematic suspension set-up was developed in articulation with the tyre characteristics of the car. This has been done to provide comfort and stability over the most challenging race circuit layouts. Courtesy the feline suspension, the 1,100 Nm of twisting force available from the rear can be put to constructive use. Further elevating its handling aura, is electric controls to bless upon the car, such dynamics that would be ideal for the user. Such sincere engineering has gone into the making of just a virtual concept car as Ferrari aims to bring the experience of driving an actual sports car to artificial reality.

The hybrid battery tucked in has been designed in such a way that it optimises performance and recovers energy when needed to let the driver unleash all the juice and turn what is destined in his favour during the last mile encounters.

Ferrari cars have been eminent for functional interior designs where ergonomics are spot on. That is the case with the Vision Gran Turismo as well. Bearing dashboard creases that are minimalistic and the engine bay area that can be seen whenever one wants to admire it, the interior is an unforgettable place to be. Transparent high-tech substances uncover the mechanical components of a contemporary steering wheel. The interface for the driver has been contrived to portray all the information in one glance whenever required and is likely to be fluid and simple to operate.

The first adopters of this one-of-its-kind concept are going to be owners of GT7, who can avail the concept 23rd December 2022 onwards. On 15th December 2022, a full-scale design study will make its first public appearance at the Ferrari museum in Maranello where it will be standing proud besides its one-off brethren till March 2023.