The Alpine Vision Gran Turismo, fruit of the collective imagination of the designers and engineers
The Alpine of the 21st Century is creeping gradually closer. The wait may seem interminable to the more impatient fans, but at least there is plenty going on in the meantime!
In motor racing, for example, the Alpine A450 prototype collected European endurance racing titles in 2013 and 2014, as well as a podium finish in the LM P2 class in last June’s Le Mans 24 Hours. Now, as the brand’s 60th anniversary festivities get under way, the Alpine Vision Gran Turismo heralds a new chapter in the make’s revival. Polyphony Digital Inc. – developers of PlayStation®’s Gran Turismo game – proposed the challenge of creating a new ‘virtual’ car in July 2013 and the teams at Alpine turned their attention to the project with the same passion, enthusiasm and rigour as they are committing to the upcoming new road car.
While the brief submitted to the designers was, well, brief, it included one specific stipulation in comparison with their usual creations. The key focuses of the concept car needed to be the rear end and the cockpit, simply because they are the most popular views in motor sport video games.
Even so, our tour begins with the front of the car, which bears a striking resemblance to the A110. The sloping V-shaped bonnet is enhanced by a central crease and, in another nod to the 1960s, the cross-shaped LED lights recall the black tape that was used to protect the additional lights fitted to the Berlinette rally cars. These references to the past blend in seamlessly with an undeniably modern aerodynamic package that includes a splitter designed to channel airflow along the body sides. It also provides a glimpse of the suspension wishbones. Openings in the bonnet expose the orange struts which are located horizontally at the top of the chassis.
The car’s profile awakens other memories. Large air intakes direct the flow that escapes behind the front wheels and accentuate the narrow form of the body. Complementing the overall harmony, the long lateral rear fins call to mind the A210s and A220s which shone so brilliantly at Le Mans, achieving victory in the 24-hour race’s Efficiency Index class in 1966.
The wheels alone are eloquent of the fusion of present and past. The design of the rims – inspired by those fitted to the A110s – is sufficiently open to reveal the impressive brake callipers, painted in orange or blue, depending on the version.
The appeal of the Alpine Vision Gran Turismo is further enhanced by its open cockpit. The driver sits on the right, a design typical of sport-prototype cars given that the majority of circuits – not least of which Le Mans – run in a clockwise direction.
Alpine Vision Gran Turismo Tech Data:
CHASSIS
Type: carbon monocoque
Suspension: double wishbones, pushrods, adjustable spring/damper assemblies
ENGINE
Position: mid-rear
Type: V8
Cubic capacity: 4,494cc
Maximum power: 450hp at 6,500rpm
Maximum torque: 580Nm at 2,000rpm
Maximum engine speed: 7,500rpm
Top speed: 320kph
TRANSMISSION
Seven-speed sequential gearbox
Rear-wheel drive
BRAKES
Front: 390mm x 32mm vented discs with six-pot callipers
Rear: 355mm x 32mm vented discs with four-pot callipers
WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES
Weight: 900kg
Weight distribution: 47 / 53
Fuel tank: 75 litres
The Alpine of the 21st Century is creeping gradually closer. The wait may seem interminable to the more impatient fans, but at least there is plenty going on in the meantime!
In motor racing, for example, the Alpine A450 prototype collected European endurance racing titles in 2013 and 2014, as well as a podium finish in the LM P2 class in last June’s Le Mans 24 Hours. Now, as the brand’s 60th anniversary festivities get under way, the Alpine Vision Gran Turismo heralds a new chapter in the make’s revival. Polyphony Digital Inc. – developers of PlayStation®’s Gran Turismo game – proposed the challenge of creating a new ‘virtual’ car in July 2013 and the teams at Alpine turned their attention to the project with the same passion, enthusiasm and rigour as they are committing to the upcoming new road car.
While the brief submitted to the designers was, well, brief, it included one specific stipulation in comparison with their usual creations. The key focuses of the concept car needed to be the rear end and the cockpit, simply because they are the most popular views in motor sport video games.
Even so, our tour begins with the front of the car, which bears a striking resemblance to the A110. The sloping V-shaped bonnet is enhanced by a central crease and, in another nod to the 1960s, the cross-shaped LED lights recall the black tape that was used to protect the additional lights fitted to the Berlinette rally cars. These references to the past blend in seamlessly with an undeniably modern aerodynamic package that includes a splitter designed to channel airflow along the body sides. It also provides a glimpse of the suspension wishbones. Openings in the bonnet expose the orange struts which are located horizontally at the top of the chassis.
The car’s profile awakens other memories. Large air intakes direct the flow that escapes behind the front wheels and accentuate the narrow form of the body. Complementing the overall harmony, the long lateral rear fins call to mind the A210s and A220s which shone so brilliantly at Le Mans, achieving victory in the 24-hour race’s Efficiency Index class in 1966.
The wheels alone are eloquent of the fusion of present and past. The design of the rims – inspired by those fitted to the A110s – is sufficiently open to reveal the impressive brake callipers, painted in orange or blue, depending on the version.
The appeal of the Alpine Vision Gran Turismo is further enhanced by its open cockpit. The driver sits on the right, a design typical of sport-prototype cars given that the majority of circuits – not least of which Le Mans – run in a clockwise direction.
Alpine Vision Gran Turismo Tech Data:
CHASSIS
Type: carbon monocoque
Suspension: double wishbones, pushrods, adjustable spring/damper assemblies
ENGINE
Position: mid-rear
Type: V8
Cubic capacity: 4,494cc
Maximum power: 450hp at 6,500rpm
Maximum torque: 580Nm at 2,000rpm
Maximum engine speed: 7,500rpm
Top speed: 320kph
TRANSMISSION
Seven-speed sequential gearbox
Rear-wheel drive
BRAKES
Front: 390mm x 32mm vented discs with six-pot callipers
Rear: 355mm x 32mm vented discs with four-pot callipers
WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES
Weight: 900kg
Weight distribution: 47 / 53
Fuel tank: 75 litres
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