Introducing: The all-electric Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo

Join Formula E

Sign in or create your Formula E account

It's quick, easy and free to sign up

You'll get access to:

  • Helmet

    News. Analysis. Exclusive Features

  • Schedule

    Priority Booking. Early Bird Pricing

  • Trophy

    Competitions. Discounts. Experiences

  • Podium

    Predict. Vote. Win.

TO CONTINUE READING...

You will need to sign in or create a Formula E account.

Introducing: The all-electric Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo

Introducing: The all-electric Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo 

Panasonic Jaguar Racing's I-Type 4 Gen2 car provides the technical foundations of the marque's new Vision Gran Turismo as it breaks cover in Tokyo. 

While Panasonic Jaguar Racing drivers Mitch Evans and James Calado get set for the new season of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, the all-electric boffins at Jaguar have been busy working on the marque's first virtual all-electric sports car - the all-electric Vision Gran Turismo. 

ff8257a6f40c4c0795720f11c0887307

Building on the all-electric racing foundations laid by Jaguar's campaign in Formula E with the I-Type 4 as well as its I-Pace eTrophy race cars, the futuristic coupe takes inspiration from the iconic C-type and D-type racers from the mid-20th century. The project came about after new Design Director Julian Thomson granted his crack the creative freedom to come up with their idea of a virtual Jaguar for the future. 

“This project has been completely led by our young designers and represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them to create a vehicle steeped in our incredible heritage but pushing the boundaries of future design," said Thomson. 

"The team have done an incredible job in creating something which is clearly identifiable as a Jaguar, inspired – but not constrained – by our iconic past.”

2475bea5fb864a3bae8503c3b7da94d7

With 750kW of power and  1,200Nm of torque, the Vision Gran Turismo will enable gamers to experience 0-100km/h (62mph) in less than two seconds. Calling on the skills of the Panasonic Jaguar Racing team, the Formula E engineers designed the car's powertrain around the learning's gained from four seasons of electric street racing. “The opportunity to take what we have learned on the track from our time in Formula E and apply it to a futuristic Jaguar race car has been a great challenge for the Jaguar Racing engineers," said Team Principal James Barclay.  

On the outside, the Vision GT Coupe's styling was inspired by the shapes of the radical Le Mans-winning C-type and D-type racing cars that pioneered early aerodynamics in racing. While its front fenders are reminicent of the C-type, the overall side profile harks back to the 'Long Nose' D-type.

New car, old sound

Something unusual about the Vision Grand Turismo? Yep, you bet - it doesnt sound like a normal electric vehicle and nor should it because the car's sound was created using recordings of the 1957 Le Mans podium-finishing ‘603’ Long Nose D-type. Its race-spec 3.8 litre combustion engine has been manipulated and woven into GT's electric drive to give the car it's own distinctive soundtrack.  

Looking forward to driving it? Well, we certainly are as the car makes its playable debut in Gran Turismo Sport on Playstation 4 from the end of November, with competitors in the latest round of Sony’s Gran Turismo World Tour event at the Tokyo Motor Show (26-27 October) being the first to drive it. 

Until then, catch up on all the sounds from pre-season testing with the new sound of Formula E.