Mazda’s Le Mans-inspired LM55 Vision Gran Turismo concept revealed

By Stephen Edelstein December 29, 2014

While the parade of “Vision” concept cars made to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Gran Turismo franchise has been going on for over a year, Mazda’s effort should garner a bit of excitement.

That’s because the Japanese carmaker’s LM55 concept is inspired by the 787B racer that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1991.

Mazda is the only Japanese manufacturer to win Le Mans to date, and the car that did it wore the number 55, hence the LM55 designation.

That car featured a rotary engine, but Mazda did not disclose any powertrain details for this tribute versions which, admittedly, will never turn a wheel on a real racetrack.

The concept does wear “Skyactiv” badging, calling attention to the fuel-saving design features in Mazda’s production cars.

Like the other Vision Gran Turismo concepts, the LM55’s design is radical, and appears to borrow as much from current Le Mans Prototypes as it does from the 787B.

Key features include a central stabilizer shark fin and very pronounced fenders covering wheels that are pushed out to the extreme corners of the car.

So in profile view, it has a lot in common with the Audi R18 e-tron quattro, Porsche 919 Hybrid, and Toyota TS040 Hybrid cars that battled for overall victory at Le Mans this year.

Mazda itself hasn’t raced at Le Mans in awhile, although it does campaign an LMP2-class prototype in the Tudor United SportsCar Championship on this side of the Atlantic.

That car features a diesel engine and a chassis that’s similar to the LMP2 cars that compete at Le Mans in the class below the Audi, Porsche, and Toyota hybrids, but the race’s governing body doesn’t allow diesels outside that top class.

Unrestrained by real-world rules, the Mazda LM55 Vision Gran Turismo should have a much more prolific racing career. It will be available for download for Gran Turismo 6 soon.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Photo Galleries

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Cars

Rivian R2 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5: Should you wait for the Rivian R2?

Rivian R2

Rivian has taken the wraps off of the Rivian R2, an electric SUV that's similar to the much-loved R1S, but smaller and, crucially, cheaper. But the R2 goes up against some serious competition. The likes of Hyundai have been building solid EVs for some time now -- including the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The R2 and the Ioniq 5 each make a compelling case for themselves, and they're likely to end up being similarly priced if the Ioniq 5 doesn't get much cheaper and the R2 does end up being sold at $45,000. To be fair, the cars are pretty different -- the R2 is more of an SUV, while the Ioniq 5 is much more crossover-sized. But because of their similar price, you might be deciding between the two. How do they compare? We put the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 head-to-head.
Design
The differences between the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 are perhaps no more apparent than when it comes to design.

Cars

The 6 best remote car starters in 2024

Best car remote starters

While some modern vehicles come standard with remote start features, it's still relatively uncommon. That's a shame because if you live somewhere where cold weather, snow, and ice are frequent concerns, a remote car starter is one of the best auto accessories you can have. If you're not familiar with them, a remote car starter works similarly to a key fob, except it will actually start your car from a distance instead of just unlocking the doors or trunk. That means you can start your car from the warm comfort of your home or office before venturing out. If you live somewhere hot, you can even start your car and let the AC run for a little bit. You'll never enter a freezing cold or scorching hot vehicle again.

The best remote car starters have long ranges, replaceable batteries, and other handy features — but how do you know which is best for you? We’ve compiled a list of the best car starters in a range of prices and features. Keep in mind that while you can install some yourself, some will require a professional.
The best remote car starters in 2024

Cars

The best portable jump starters for cars in 2024

The Clore Jump-N-Carry JNC660 portable jump starter connected to a truck battery.

Any time you hit the road, whether you're taking a short or long trip, it's a good idea to have backups handy. A spare or backup tire, some anti-freeze, windshield wash fluid, a road hazard kit, and, last but not least, one of the best portable tire inflators and a portable jump starter. You never know when cold weather, inadvertently leaving the dome light on, or plain old Father Time can curse you with a dead battery. Ensure you have one of the best portable jump starters that can save you in a jam, kickstarting your car even when there isn't anyone around to jump the battery. Naturally, that's why we’ve rounded up what we feel are the best portable jump starters for 2024.
The best portable jump starters in 2024

Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter overall.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter runner-up.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter and tire inflator combo.
Buy the if you want another name-brand option.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter for cheap.