VW removes virtual and real world borders

by Keith Morgan on Wednesday, March 2nd, 2016

The Volkswagen GTI Roadster was created as a purely computer-generated car for the PlayStation classic “Gran Turismo 6”.

But there’s no virtual reality about the two-seat convertible displayed at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto.

A 3.0-litre V6 biturbo engine that produces 503 horsepower powers the digital-made-real roadster. Power is transmitted through a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) and 4MOTION all-wheel drive to the 20-inch wheels. The lightweight (1420 kg) super sports car reaches 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds on the way to a maximum speed of 309 km/h!

The driver and passenger are enclosed in a dual monocoque made of carbon fibre. The GTI Roadster is equipped with two race shell seats, with a seating position so low that occupants are nearly lying down.

The seats and the four-spoke grip steering wheel are covered with Alcantara. The steering wheel is mounted on a very long, exposed steering column, typical of a race car and is fitted with shift paddles that can be activated intuitively and ergonomically– without having the driver’s hands ever leave the steering wheel.

Viewed directly from the front, the Roadster looks like a typical GTI – but one originating from the next decade. The Roadster’s front end has a three-dimensional design with bumper modules that appear to hover. The bumper transitions into the wings on the sides, and a centrally integrated wide radiator grille with a honeycomb screen creates a distinct three-dimensional effect.

The radiator grille is framed by a surface finished in body colour. To the sides of this surface are the vertically arranged LED daytime driving lights and the painted exterior surfaces of the bumper. Above them are the classic red GTI radiator grille cross-stripe, VW badge and GTI logo, another air inlet with honeycomb screen and dual LED headlights. Beneath the headlights are two other narrow LED strips for the daytime running lights, which form an unmistakable light signature together with the vertical daytime running lights.

Will we see this beautiful roadster in the flesh, so to speak? – Anybody’s guess but one can dream.

keith [dot] morgan [at] drivewaybc [dot] ca