VIDEO: Chevy WTCC Ultra concept at Estoril
Some concept cars are purely for show, but some are built to go. GM Europe took the latter a step further by putting their striking and exciting Chevrolet WTCC Ultra concept to the test on the track. The concept race car made its debut at the Paris Motor Show and is scheduled to make an appearance at the Beijing show later this month. So in between, the Chevy boys took the opportunity to put the car through the paces at Estoril in Portugal.
And it wasn't a private test, either. The event coincided with the European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) race at the Estoril circuit on October 22, so the WTCC Ultra was enjoyed by the spectators at the race as well as the television audience on Eurosport as it made a publicity lap around the track in front of the field of ETCC race cars. GM hasn't released any performance stats from the track session, and we doubt they seriously risked braking what is sure to be a very expensive one-off.
Nicola Larini, a former F1 driver for Ferrari and currently a Chevrolet touring car racer, was one of the lucky drivers who got to pilot the show car around the track, and remarked, "I would have never expected a concept car to be that well executed and performing so nicely at such an early development phase".
Now if only Chevy would build the beast for public consumption.
(Follow the jump for a full gallery of hi-res images of the WTCC Ultra at Estoril)
[Source: GM]
Click on the images below for hi-resolution versions
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
curtis 12:37PM (11/06/2006)
That car is really ugly
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Steve S 2:02PM (11/06/2006)
GM could print a toned down version to market but they probably won't.
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Roanoke 12:47PM (11/06/2006)
#1, I concur. That car looks really bad.
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Tal D 12:53PM (11/06/2006)
Highly aggressive appearance.A little blue beast.Wonder how well it performed in this video? what is known about performance expectations if is built?
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james f. 12:56PM (11/06/2006)
I think its a "good" ugly. Id love to see something like this on the road! Beats the hell out of the jellybean styling of the past 15 years.
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AutoFan 1:00PM (11/06/2006)
My God somebody arrest the designer that beat that thing with the Fugly stick!
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Phil L. 1:19PM (11/06/2006)
> ...seriously risked braking what is sure to be...
They did want to risk breaking the brakes?
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John 1:34PM (11/06/2006)
"we doubt they seriously risked BRAKING what is sure to be a very expensive one-off."
Seriously? I love you guys, but you really need a copy editor.
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AthlonDave 2:05PM (11/06/2006)
Looks like the next generation of Aztek to me.
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Joe 1:42PM (11/06/2006)
I would avoid braking too, faster is more fun, plus who knows how the brakes will operate under such stress...
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VaribleX 2:53PM (11/06/2006)
Tom Peters must of designed it... (designed the pontiac aztek (ok ok...and the new c6))
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Tristan O'Tierney 2:10PM (11/06/2006)
Am I the only one who thinks that looks awesome? A little aggressive on the styling, no doubt, but if it has good performance then it doesn't sound bad.
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Dr1v3r 2:14PM (11/06/2006)
Good grief get RID OF THE BOWTIE. IT IS HIDEOUS!
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Uhh... 2:38PM (11/06/2006)
I love the body lines, but those ugly headlights and tailights gotta go!!!
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pharmer 3:56PM (11/06/2006)
The front end of that car is so unspeakably ugly...my gosh. What are they thinking?
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number40one 4:09PM (11/06/2006)
I guess I'm the only one who absolutely loves this thing. Sign me up.
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Spider 4:55PM (11/06/2006)
That guy can't even see out of the car! Or is that a little kid?
Great.
HAHAAHHAHHHAAHAHAHAHA!!
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Tim Rosencrans 4:56PM (11/06/2006)
Looks like its getting ready to eat a VW. I love it.
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jvpmj 5:44PM (11/06/2006)
I think it´s beautiful!!!
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Andy 5:52PM (11/06/2006)
The WTCC sure beats the Cobalt SS. A lot of computer teens are bashing the design, but it's creative compared to the a lot of the tuner compacts on the road. I think it looks a lot better than the WRX STI or the Evo IX. If the car can perform and has a nice cabin on top of that, it'll be a winner.
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