October 7, 2008

Visitors to the Paris Motor Show will be treated to the GTbyCITROËN, which is the first car ever to be specifically designed to bring the virtual and physical worlds together. 

Inkeeping with it’s unusual development the GTbyCITROEN can be driven, in a virtual sense, at their stand.

The car is a joint venture between Citroën and the makers of Gran Turismo, and was created for the 5th edition in the huge selling Playstation series.
The car is big at almost five metres long, and packs the latest hi-tech racing equipment into it’s exaggerated sporty frame. Running on 21-inch, diamond-effect, aluminium wheels, the car features gullwing doors and an over-sized rear end with mobile spoiler.  It’s massive, gaping air intakes and flat underside leave visitors in no doubt that the car has the qualities of an accomplished racer.

With trademark chrome chevrons on the smooth, aerodynamic, front end identify the car as a Citroën and the GTbyCITROËN is brimming over with styling cues typical of the company’s creative flair. The sharp lines and low sculpted body are emphasised by the white-to-grey flared paint work which gives the car an aggressive look and impression of speed - even when it’s not tearing up the road.

The sleekly muscled racer boasts a large wraparound windscreen adding to the impact of the car’s size and dynamic appearance. Blue LED headlamps and slim-line carbon fibre rear view mirrors - which appear to be invisible – emphasise the GTbyCITROËN’s futuristic racing style.

No expense has been spared in making the GTbyCITROËN’s and it’s hi-tech interior adds to the car’s distinguished and refined personality. In contrast to its light body work, the cabin features a dark, brooding colour scheme with two padded racing seats finished in black leather and fitted with four point harnesses, again emphasising the racing feel of the car. The dark leather, along with copper and steel touches inside the cabin and a low-slung driving position, create an opulent and powerful racing environment. Important on-board data is displayed via a red LED head-up display, allowing drivers to maintain the focus on the road ahead.

Kazanori Yamauchi, President of Polyphony Digital Inc and creator of Gran Turismo, commented, “GTbyCITROËN shows how the worlds of virtual and real-life motoring can join together to create a truly innovative partnership. To see the GTbyCITROËN take shape in our game studios and then for real has been a truly unique experience - as our work normally stays in the digital world.”

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