That photo at the top of this story shows the newest Porsche, but while it appears that the car is running around the Nurburgring, it is not. In fact, it’s not a real car.
What it is is the Vision Gran Turismo, a virtual racing car created by Porsche designers for the Gran Turismo 7 video game system due to be released March 4, 2022, for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation5.
Although a Porsche has been racing around Polyphony Digital games since 2017, the Vision Gran Turismo is the first Porsche specifically created for eRacers.
“Freed from the constraints of developing models for series production, they (Porsche designers) were able to put their own ideas for a Gran Turismo concept car into practice,” Porsche said in its news release.
“A vehicle designed purely for the virtual world opens up exciting possibilities for us that are otherwise heavily regimented in a regular design process for a series production car,” added Michael Mauer, Style Porsche vice president.
“Projects such as the Porsche Vision Gran Turismo are particularly valuable for us in the creative process. Further developing our clearly defined Porsche Design DNA and exchanging with designers from other industries is an important part of our work.”
Porsche notes that the Vision Gran Turismo features future-oriented versions of familiar Porsche design elements.
“The concept car exhibits the brand’s typical proportions with an especially sporty height-to-width ratio, an extremely low-set bonnet and very pronounced wings. The lights in the particularly purist front and the integrated air intakes create a visual link to the design language of the Taycan – a nod to the car’s purely electric drive.
“The rear is adorned with a markedly narrow light strip – a further development of the light signature that is familiar from the 911 and Taycan models.
“The clear emphasis of the brand identity continues in the interior, with the curved hologram display, tailored to the driver, which appears to float above the steering wheel.”
“The appeal of a Porsche comes from its purist design,” Polyphony Digital president Kazunori Yamauchi added. “And in terms of engineering expertise, both we and Porsche follow the same perfectionist philosophy. We share the same passion for racing and are looking to the future of the car.”
The automaker noted that expanding its gaming activities also has strategic significance.
“We can engage young and digital target groups in the place where their automotive dreams are born: the world of gaming,” Robert Ader, Porsche AG vice president of marketing, is quoted. “The partnership with Polyphony Digital and ‘Gran Turismo’ is a perfect fit for Porsche, because motorsport – whether real or virtual – is part of our DNA.”
