Fast virtual cat: Jaguar plugs in new all-electric virtual gaming sports car

MANILA: The recently unveiled Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo Roadster is the brand's third all-electric virtual gaming sports car. After the success of the first Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo Coupé and the ultimate Vision Gran Turismo SV endurance racer, Jaguar's next all-electric virtual race car joins the lineup for the launch of "Gran Turismo 7," the most immersive version yet of the popular racing game.

In honor of Jaguar's trio of cars in the Vision GT series, the company's design team has created new bespoke liveries for each car. The specially crafted black and gray paints, as well as subdued graphics, highlight the cars' naturally striking and stunning designs — and are exclusive to the cars' in-game liveries.

The Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo Roadster is an all-electric single-seater that blends the Coupé's race-proven powertrain with the classic Jaguar D-type's chiseled form.

In a statement, Jaguar Advanced Design Exterior Designer Oliver Cattell-Ford said, “As a car designer, being part of the team that has delivered three virtual cars for the Gran Turismo series has been a dream project. Since the reveal of the Vision GT Coupe in 2019 and Vision GT SV in 2020, we wanted to curate the perfect way to present the full line-up of the three cars together when we revealed the Roadster — 'Gran Turismo 7' is the perfect way to do it. The visual effect is dramatic and wouldn’t look out of place on any track or circuit around the world, from the streets of night-time Tokyo to California’s Laguna Seca raceway.”

The Roadster is designed to give gamers the genuine, emotional driving experience of an open-cockpit Jaguar sports car, driven by three electric motors with a combined power output of over 1,020 ps and instant, maximum torque of 1,200 Nm. A truly remarkable drive will be provided by acceleration from zero to 60mph in under two seconds and a top speed in excess of 200mph, along with excellent handling, and agility.

The first two Jaguar Gran Turismo Vision cars are known for having the same flowing surfaces, dynamic lines, and precise proportions. Meanwhile, the Roadster is equipped with a swept-back aero screen right in front of the driver instead of a retractable canopy.

Behind, there's a new take on the Le Mans-winning D-type's fin, which has been aerodynamically tuned using modern computational fluid dynamics tools and can be deployed at high speeds for improved stability and low drag.

The fin also has a Union Jack engraved into it using the Jaguar monogram pattern and is softly illuminated by LEDs, which is one of the many stunning elements featured throughout the Roadster. Hand-crafted leather straps on the front fenders and signature roundel lights in the front grille accentuate the concept.

The stunning, driver-centric interior of the Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo Roadster combines lightweight, premium materials and finishes with beautifully precise details. Gamers will be fully engaged in the action as they look out over the elegantly extended bonnet with the unrivaled all-around view inherent to open-cockpit racers.

The light, durable monocoque body of the Roadster is carefully built from carbon-fiber composites and advanced aluminum alloys. A cutting-edge lithium-ion battery pack is housed as low as possible in the structure, contributing to the car's low center of gravity, low roll center, and near 50:50 weight distribution, all of which help achieve the car's exceptional driving dynamics.

The battery powers three light, powerful, and compact motors that were built using Jaguar Racing's Formula E experience. With one motor on the front axle and two on the rear, the total output is 1,020 ps and 1,200 Nm of instant torque. Players will get to experience this when they sprint away from the starting line on their way to a top speed of more than 200mph.

The new features created by Polyphony Digital for Gran Turismo 7, which is available for PS4 and PS5 consoles, will further increase the satisfaction.

“We are delighted to announce the Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo Roadster, which completes the trilogy of Jaguar Vision vehicles for 'Gran Turismo 7.' It was a great experience to work with the Design team at Jaguar. We look forward to drivers getting behind the virtual wheel in the new game. All three cars lend themselves perfectly to the exciting new user experience that GT7 will offer,” Polyphony Digital Inc. President Kazunori Yamauchi stated.

In addition to the new Roadster, players can now drive the Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo SV, an all-electric virtual endurance race car designed by Jaguar and engineered by Jaguar SV to produce extremes of performance, traction, and high-speed stability. It was first introduced in 2020 and is always intended for release in 'Gran Turismo 7.' The GT SV can accelerate from 0 to 60mph in 1.65 seconds and achieve a top speed of 255mph, thanks to four electric motors that generate 1,903ps.

Photos from Jaguar

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