Typically, car manufacturers available on Japanese roads, whether local or international, can only showcase their designs in the Gran Turismo franchise through their Vision Gran Turismo concepts. However, the inclusion of Genesis, a Korean luxury car brand that is not sold on Japanese roads, altered this precedent. Following Genesis, another carmaker that isn't available on Japanese roads has joined the Vision GT lineup: the Czech manufacturer Skoda.
The Skoda Vision Gran Turismo marks the Czech carmaker's debut in the world of Gran Turismo, showcasing its "simply clever" philosophy to the virtual world.
A simply clever project that began even before the COVID pandemic, Skoda designers were debating whether to restore the 1100 OHC, a Le Mans racer that never was, or create a futuristic iteration for the digital age. They went for the latter, and this is it.
Paying respect to the legendary 1100 OHC, the Skoda Vision Gran Turismo incorporates Skoda's new design language, first seen in the Vision 7S Concept in 2022. The concept car's styling mimics that of today's Formula E race cars in the name of active aerodynamics. Underneath its carbon monocoque bodywork, it features independent wishbone push-rod suspension for better high-speed stability, reduced body roll, and low center of gravity.
Powering the Skoda Vision Gran Turismo is a dual-motor setup with one electric motor on each axle, producing a total power output of 1071HP of power. It even features a 4WD system with intelligent torque distribution for a balanced and responsive driving experience.
To fully demonstrate the capabilities of Skoda's Vision Gran Turismo Concept, I went to Le Mans to fulfill the duty it never carried out by its ancestor, the 1100 OHC Spider. Let's roll the video.
My experience with the Skoda Vision Gran Turismo has been somewhat nerve-wracking. Its electric drivetrain gives it impressive speed on the straights, but the grip is challenging, and I find it struggles to navigate corners even after braking. Despite these difficulties, I managed to record a lap time of 3 minutes and 44.797 seconds, proving that the Skoda VGT is a worthy successor to its Le Mans racer that never came to fruition.
The Skoda Vision Gran Turismo concept, created by Skoda for the Gran Turismo series, highlights the Czech carmaker's "Simply Clever" philosophy. This concept car embodies a blend of heritage and modernity, showcasing Skoda's unique approach. With this design, you truly take center stage.
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