British luxury carmaker Jaguar announced the unveiling of its third all-electric virtual gaming sports car, the Vision Gran Turismo Roadster. This marks the successful follow up of the original Vision Gran Turismo Coupé and the Vision Gran Turismo SV endurance racer. Jaguar’s latest all-electric virtual race car now joins the grid of the recently launched Gran Turismo 7 racing game. To celebrate its Vision GT cars, Jaguar’s design team released unique imagery of a bespoke curated specification for each.
The Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo Roadster is an all-electric single-seater that features the race-proven powertrain from the Coupé version. However, the roadster showcases a taut, sculpted body that’s inspired by the iconic and timeless 1957 Jaguar D-type roadster. The Vision Gran Turismo Roadster also sports a specially-developed black and grey paintwork with graphics that emphasise its beautiful design. The roadster’s flowing surfaces, dramatic lines and perfect proportions featured on the previous Jaguar Gran Turismo Vision cars are instantly recognisable.
However, instead of a deployable canopy, the Vision Gran Turismo Roadster sports a swept-back aero screen in front of the driver. At the rear, the Roadster sports a modern interpretation of the fin synonymous with the three-time, Le Mans-winning D-type. Jaguar has ensured to aerodynamically optimise the fin using latest computational fluid dynamics tools for enhanced stability and reduced drag. Other details include the Union Jack etched on the fin with illuminated LEDs and circular lights in the front grille.
Powering the new Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo Roadster are a set of three light-weight, powerful yet compact electric motors. Jaguar developed these using its Formula E racing experience with one motor on the front axle and two on the rear. In total, the motors produce 1,020 PS of peak power and 1,200 Nm of electrifying torque. This allows for a 0-100 kph acceleration time of fewer than 2 seconds with a 354 kph top speed figure.
The Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo Roadster’s dramatic, driver-focused interior combines lightweight, luxurious materials and finishes with distinct intricate details. The Roadster features a long bonnet with the unmatched all-around visibility inherent to open-cockpit racers allowing for proper gamer-oriented immersion. Jaguar has meticulously crafted the stiff monocoque body using carbon-fibre composites and advanced aluminium alloys with proper battery packaging. This allows for a low centre of gravity, low roll centre and near 50:50 weight distribution for enhanced dynamics.
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