Starting Monday, gamers with Gran Turismo Sport on PlayStation 4 will be able to download a new electric race car free of charge—the Audi e-tron Vision Gran Turismo. This avant-garde Audi isn’t just a fantasy from the game; it’s been manufactured into a real-life car that will take part in Formula E.
Audi AG has created a unique version of the e-tron Vision Gran Turismo concept to function as a race taxi. However, it will not compete in races; instead, it will be used to transport Formula E’s Audi staff and guests around the circuit.
Sony Entertainment, along with Gran Turismo’s developer, Polyphony Digital, has collaborated with several automakers to develop working Vision Gran Turismo concepts for the famed racing game franchise. Audi’s model is the first of these to enter real motorsport events. The design and color scheme of the car draw significant inspiration from the Audi 90 IMSA GTO, a legendary race vehicle from the late 1980s that revitalized North American auto racing.
Marc Lichte, Audi’s chief designer, noted, “Creating a virtual vehicle allows for much more creative freedom and the development of concepts that are challenging to realize in real life. However, we aimed to create a fully functional vehicle rather than just a purely fictional design. This car showcases many elements of our new design language, including the inverted single frame in its color scheme, which will become characteristic of our new e-tron models.”
The e-tron quattro all-wheel-drive system of the car features three electric motors that power both the front and rear axles, producing an impressive 805 horsepower and enabling acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds. It boasts a balanced 50-50 weight distribution and weighs only 3,197 pounds.
In Gran Turismo Sport, players can choose between two versions of the car. The e-tron Vision GT showcases a white grille and is purely electric, while a second version features a black grille and combines an electric motor with a turbocharged 3.4-liter V6, delivering a total of 1,274 horsepower.
While the in-game versions are available right now, fans of Audi will need to wait until the Formula E event in Rome on April 14 to witness the real-life e-tron Vision Gran Turismo in action. Rumors also suggest that this car could be showcased at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.
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