If you’re going to design a car that you never have to legitimately produce, you might as well take some risks.
Chevrolet’s Chaparral 2X Vision GT, a virtual racecar for the Gran Turismo 6 video game, embodies that philosophy to a tee. The vehicle employs radical styling, a powertrain straight out of a science fiction film, and a revolutionary ‘active prone’ driver position.
Propelling the car forward is a mid-mounted, laser-based energy system that focuses light beams into a tight shroud. In combination with an air-powered generator, this process creates shock waves that generate the equivalent of 900 horsepower. Given the car’s low weight and slippery shape, Chevy says the car can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 1.5 seconds.
“The Chevrolet Chaparral 2X Vision GT serves as an example of what our designers are capable of when they are cut loose, no holds barred,” said Ed Welburn, Cice President of GM Global Design. “It’s a fantasy car in every sense of the word.”
The driving position of the Chaparral 2X is also quite ambitious. Called ‘active prone,’ the layout essentially sees the car built around the driver, functioning almost like a racing wing suit on wheels.
The pilot lays on his or her stomach with their limbs splayed out Superman style. The car features driver-adjustable aerodynamics and is very low to the ground, something that the automaker says eliminates “the need for large, conventional wings and other aero devices use to create grip-enhancing downforce.”
The virtual racecar was co-designed by General Motors, Polyphony Digital, and Chaparral founder Jim Hall. It is officially available for download in Gran Turismo 6 now as part of the 1.15 update. The Vision GT can be purchased in game or accessed by completing a lap in the new Season Event.
