So not content with a racing version, Toyota has also tweaked the standard concept to create another 'real-world' version. And that's the official line. Make it, make it, mak..
Now can we see under the bonnet?
What's new? The pain is the most obvious change, the vivid red swapped for a more subtle yet really classy graphite. Combined with the tan leather inside it looks every inch the modern GT sports car.
In fact the whole interior has been given a nudge upmarket. The leather sits where carbon was and the displays appear less futuristic too. Apparently the inspiration comes from modern superhero films (really) where 'high tech performance materials' are used for costumes rather than the 'bright tights and garish colours'. Batman's new wheels? Doesn't sound ridiculous.
Selene Lee was involved in the latest design of the FT-1 and even references the "feeling of flow" at the wheel: "From the start of the FT-1 project, we wanted the driver to have a feeling of flow while at the wheel - to be able to focus on the road and nothing else. In the colour studio we help create the atmosphere of the vehicle, and our aim was to ensure everything supported the driver through efficient choices".
This FT-1 will be available on GT in September too. Now when's the production car debut?
ORIGINAL STORY, 10:00 14/08/2014:
Come on Toyota, stop teasing now. Not content with bringing the fabulous
FT-1
concept to Detroit and only making it available on Gran Turismo, there's now a track focused version. Only available on Gran Turismo.
Yes diffuser. Because race car
It's officially Toyota's Vision Gran Turismo concept, as we've seen already from
VW
Mercedes
Aston
and others. It looks excellent and surely if interest is maintained then perhaps a real one becomes more feasible. We can hope. As it's not production spec the tweaks are rather vague but bigger arches for wider tyres, additional cooling and a whacking great spoiler for downforce are all encouraging. And have you ever come across such a rear diffuser?
The Vision Gran Turismo FT-1 has again been styled by Toyota's CALTY studio who have another funky design buzzword for the FT-1's new aero bits: 'function sculpting'. It is intended to 'look and feel the way it performs to create the sensation of a real race'. Right. If you have GT6 the FT-1 Vision will be available from next month.
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