The Audi Vision Gran Turismo, developed by Audi Design exclusively for the "Vision Gran Turismo" competition, came in both hybrid and fully-electric versions. Launched on the 15th anniversary of Gran Turismo, these exciting race machines offer a look into the future of motorsports.
The hybrid Audi Vision Gran Turismo is equipped with e-tron quattro, making it all-wheel-drive. It borrows the same technology as the 2012 Le Mans-winning racecar, which featured motor-driven front wheels and a conventional rear-wheel setup. The front wheels of the Audi Vision Gran Turismo is powered by a 400 kW (536 HP) motor (MGU-K) that recovers energy when braking. The rear tires are powered by a turbocharged 3.4-liter V-6 that produces 550 kW (737 HP), making total output an impressive 950 kW (1,274 HP), which is more than many of today's LMP1 hybrid racers. It comes mated to a sequential 7-speed gearbox actuated by paddles on the steering wheel. The power-to-weight ratio for the Audi Vision Gran Turismo is less than one kilogram per horsepower.
The new racecar is reminiscent of the Audi 90 IMSA GTO, which thrilled fans in the North American IMSA GTO racing series in 1989 with drivers such as Hans-Joachim Stuck, Walter Röhrl, Hurley Haywood and Scott Goodyear. The car was far ahead of its time, thanks to its combination of lightweight construction, a powerful turbocharged inline-5 engine, and quattro all-wheel-drive.
You can tell the all-electric version from the hybrid by the wheels: the former comes with 18-inchers all around, while the hybrid racecar has 20-inch wheels in front with 21-inch examples at the rear.
Audi e-tron Vision Gran Turismo
Audi has jumped into the EV fray with a purely electric-powered racecar for the future. Called the Audi e-tron Vision Gran Turismo, this awesome machine was initially developed to be be a virtual model in the "Vision Gran Turismo" lineup; however, Audi felt it was just too good to keep it exclusively digitized, so it built a running prototype that is now used as a race taxi in the Formula E racing series. This makes the e-tron Vision Gran Turismo the first virtual concept car in the Vision Gran Turismo series that has become a real-life fully-functioning car.
The new racecar is reminiscent of the Audi 90 IMSA GTO, which thrilled fans in the North American IMSA GTO racing series in 1989 with drivers such as Hans-Joachim Stuck, Walter Röhrl, Hurley Haywood and Scott Goodyear. The car was far ahead of its time, thanks to its combination of lightweight construction, a powerful turbocharged inline-5 engine, and quattro all-wheel-drive.
The Audi e-tron Vision Gran Turismo, which fans will be able to experience virtually starting April 2018, is powered by three 200 kW (268 HP) electric motors: two motors for the rear axle and one at the front. Total output is a whopping 600 kW (803 HP), and when combined with its lean curb weight of 1,450 kg, the result is a power-to-weight ratio of 1.78 kg per horsepower. The Audi is also corners with the best of them, thanks in part to a 50:50 front:rear weight distribution and all-wheel-drive with variable power distribution. And just like the company's Formula E racecars, the Audi e-tron Vision Gran Turismo has only one forward gear.
