The rotary engine is back! It’s sort of.
Digitized racing could be the future of real racing. The Mazda RX-Vision GT3 Concept will soon be available to Gran Turismo players, the iconic videogame franchise. In November, a sketch of the car was shown. It shows the sleek, long-bodied racing concept that will be featured in Gran Turismo Sport on the PlayStation 4. The update is scheduled for May 25, and it will be made available.
The RX-Vision GT3 Concept draws inspiration from the stunning Mazda RX-Vision concept that the Japanese automaker presented at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show. Although the concept suggested the return to Mazda’s rotary engine, it was more of an evocation than an official announcement. The engine will power future Mazda vehicles in some capacity. Gamers will also be able to experience the rotary-powered concept through the game.
Mazda has not revealed any performance information about the RX-Vision’s powertrain. We know that the videogame version will have 562 horsepower (419 Kilowatts) and a 48/52 front-to rear weight distribution. The GT3 Concept was designed by Ikuo Maeda (Mazda’s global head of design). He was also responsible for the RX-Vision concept, and the quirky RX-8.
The RX-Vision GT3 Concept’s design looks a lot more real than the sketch. It featured large wheels and a low greenhouse. The video game version looks a lot more real, with the wheels wrapped in rubber and plenty of visibility through the windshield. It has a racecar appearance thanks to the aero bits at the front. The side exit exhaust behind the front wheels adds a nice touch. The futuristic appearance is completed by the large rear wing and extensive carbon fiber use.
The Mazda RX-Vision GT3 Concept is the result of a partnership between the automaker and Polyphony Digital, the game’s creators, in order to be a Gran Turismo Sport partner starting in 2020. There will be more Mazda models in the future.