Chevrolet has revealed the Chaparral 2X Vision Gran Turismo (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.
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Racer X.
For me at first sight I thought it was Speed Racer. Close enough? =P
671kW laser powered by lithium ion batteries, in a car that’s slightly larger than a human being and with thin surfaces all around? I bet it only has enough energy storage to run a single lap..
And no, an air-powered generator won’t be practical in this car because, just look at it, where can you find any space large enough for a proper high-output turbine?
Well, maybe it’s suitable to be made 20 years later when graphene-based supercapacitors are commonplace and we’re able to harness wind power from aeroelastic surfaces instead of spinning heavy armatures of neodymium magnets..
Those who so syok sendiri saying how great Proton has R&D this and that, please take this as example and LEARN.
No need to R&D something already becoming COMMON SENSE. You don’t invest mil ringgit to R&D wheel should be round or square shape.
wish to have race that have the futuristic cars like this beside the F1
tamiya car coming to life
Interesting driving position.
I wonder if that would be better beyond aerodynamics. I suppose they have thrown out driving by the “seat of your pants” out the window with this one.
I suppose prime driver candidates will be ex skeleton sled runners.
wow…must download it