Chevrolet has revealed the Chaparral 2X Vision Gran Tursimo (VGT) concept, a revolutionary interpretation of the ultimate race car, developed for fans of PlayStation 3's Gran Turismo 6. Gamers can race the wild-looking machine by downloading an online update for GT6.
Developed as part of the VGT project, which celebrates the future of automotive design and innovation, the Chaparral 2X VGT concept is inspired by the innovative race cars Chaparral Racing and Chevrolet partnered on more than 45 years ago.
Known for unconventional race cars that shook up the motorsports world, Texas-based Chaparral Racing partnered with Chevrolet more than 45 years ago, pioneering now-standard methods and materials used in racing and production vehicles, including the composite monocoque chassis, lightweight-alloy powertrain systems, automatic transmissions for racing and progressive, active aerodynamics.
The Chaparral 2X VGT's concept propulsion system is inspired by technology derived from advanced work targeted at space travel and future aircraft design. It features a mid-mounted laser beamed-energy propulsion system, which pulses beams of light that focus in a shroud, creating shock waves that generate tremendous thrust in the lightweight race car.
With a 671 kW laser, powered by a pack of lithium-ion batteries, and an air-powered generator to provide 900 hp worth of thrust, the Chaparral 2X VGT will be capable of a 386 km/h (240 mph) top speed in the video game with 0-96 km/h (0-60 mph) acceleration capability of 1.5 seconds.
The propulsion system's position in the composite chassis complements an unconventional yet highly active prone driver configuration - face down with the driver's arms and legs splayed toward the wheels.
"Think of it as adapting a wing suit to a racing car, where the driver's movements control certain aspects of the aero package. In many ways, the Chaparral 2X VGT is like racing wing suit, with a protective fuselage for 'flying' very low to the ground," said Frank Saucedo, the man who oversaw the team that worked on the Chaparral 2X concept.
Other manufacturers have developed concept race cars for the Vision Gran Turismo project, but Chevrolet is one of the few to have transfered it from the digital world to a physical concept vehicle. See VGT concepts from Toyota, Nissan, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and Mitsubishi to see which one you like best.
No comments:
Post a Comment