Paris 2008: The GT by Citroen. No, the whole thing this time
by Jonathon Ramsey on Oct 2nd 2008 at 8:48AM 
Click the image above for a high-res gallery of the GTbyCitroen
The day is here, the GTbyCitroen has got over its shyness and is ready to be seen by the world. Par for the French, the GT is funky -- and we're not even going to get into the seventh teaser for the car in which the car was completely covered. Contrary to the rakishness of its looks, it's also fairly slow. The 3,000-pound two-seater takes a virtual 3.6 seconds to get to a virtual 62 mph, and that's with a 646 digital ponies boosted by an additional 136 hydrogen-powered horses. As for the design, if you're wondering what that rear overhang is about, the phrase you're looking for is "retinal persistence." Yeah. You can find more explanations like that and a whole lot more in the press release after the jump, and the gallery of high-res photos below.
Gallery: Paris 2008: GTbyCitroen Live
Gallery: GTbyCitroen
PRESS RELEASE
GTbyCITROËN
CROSS OVER TO THE VIRTUAL WORLD...
With GTbyCITROËN, a show-car presented at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, Citroën becomes the first vehicle manufacturer to cross over to the virtual worlds: An original take on a road car, GTbyCITROËN is a style replica of a vehicle from the digital world. The car is the result of a partnership between Citroën and Polyphony, designer of the driving simulation game Gran Turismo 5 on Playstation 3. Already shipped in more than 50 million units worldwide, Gran Turismo is renowned for its quality, design and realism.
In the game, GTbyCITROËN features an electric drive train powered by a fuel cell with no pollutant emissions. It is a car designed to square up to the strongest competition.
"GTbyCITROËN shows how the worlds of virtual and real-life motoring can join together to create a truly innovative partnership. We were delighted that Citroen approached us and gave us the opportunity to combine our creative strengths to build this very special concept car. To see the car take shape in game and then for real has been a truly unique experience as our work normally stays in the digital world. I just hope I can get behind the wheel of GTbyCITROËN and drive it on a real race track!" - Kazanori Yamauchi, President of Polyphony Digital Inc and creator of Gran Turismo
Performance first and foremost
GTbyCITROËN is geared to the world of motor racing, with its dynamic styling, sculpted lines and sharp graphics. The rear end is oversized, made exaggeratedly long in order to create an effect of retinal persistence. The idea is to make the concept car even faster visually. The white-to-grey gradation on the body side further underlines this impression of continuous movement.
Top-level driving
The cabin of GTbyCITROËN, designed to seat two adults, expresses the grand touring vision behind this show-car. The on-board ambience allies premium, extensively worked materials with a more high-tech effect for the driving position.
The layout of the low driving position was dictated by driving pleasure. The aim is for the driver to be able to concentrate on the road, assisted by a head-up display clearly displaying driving information.
RACING SPIRIT BY CITROËN
Power and flowing lines
The design of GTbyCITROËN reflects a quest for optimal aerodynamic design. The show-car is a vehicle of flowing, taut lines, stretched to the extreme. The cleanly drawn sides, ribbed at the top, and the pearlescent shade of the bodywork enhance the vehicle's sleekly muscled looks.
The determined look of the front end is enhanced by wide air intakes and clear-cut horizontal headlamps. The headlamps feature penetrating blue LEDs in order to light the road effectively and keep rivals at a respectful distance! The chrome chevrons on the smooth bonnet express the Marque's identity.
The carbon rearview mirrors on their finely profiled supports appear to be suspended as if to cleave the air, giving GTbyCITROËN an excellent on-road stance.
The large wraparound windscreen flows seamlessly into the roof and on into the rear mobile airfoil with its exaggeratedly long shape. The fast-flowing lines create the impression of a car in perpetual movement. The whole body expresses performance and continuous movement.
GTbyCITROËN also expresses strength and power through generous volumes, (length: 4.960m, 2.080m and height: 1.090m) underlined by strongly marked wheel arches. The diamond-effect 21-inch aluminium wheels enhance the car's sporty personality.
Exceptional handling
The interior design confirms the vehicle's dynamic and powerful style. The interior of GTbyCITROËN, designed to seat a driver and co-driver, expresses the racing spirit of this concept. The on-board ambience allies rich, premium, extensively worked materials with a more high-tech effect for the driving position, inspired by the world of motorsports.
Looking beyond the spectacular visual effect, the gullwing opening of the two doors gives GTbyCITROËN a level of accessibility rarely seen on this type of vehicle. The driver and co-driver can therefore slip into their seats and get out on the track as quickly as possible.
The dark interior of this show-car is a surprise, compared with the light bodywork. Upholstered in black leather with subtle touches of rare materials such as copper and steel, the cabin of GTbyCITROËN is distinctly sporty.
Two padded racing seats upholstered in dark leather, each fitted with a four-point harness, enfold the driver and passenger for exceptional driving sensations. Placed low down to highlight the impression of speed, the elegant seats are a perfect fit with the rest of the interior.
The top-stitched leather of the door panels and floor adds to the opulence of the interior.
The driving position expresses the spirit of competition. The design was objectively guided by the motivation to win.
The dashboard, with its clean uncluttered design, flows into the receding lines of an imposing copper sculpture. The thrusting modern lines of the sculpture become the central tunnel of the vehicle, illustrating the power of GTbyCITROËN and appearing to catalyse its strength.
Created in a twist of this same copper sculpture, the leather-and-steel steering wheel also reflects the sporting spirit of the cabin.
To promote maximum concentration, the driver of GTbyCITROËN has a head-up display for driving information. Using red LEDs, this system projects key driving information – such as speed and navigation data – onto the windscreen in the driver's direct line of vision.
The head-up display makes a significant contribution to safety with its direct read-out. Drivers assimilate data more quickly and do not have to look away from the road.
Aerodynamics optimised to combine performance and driving sensations
Special emphasis was placed on the aerodynamics and flowing design of GTbyCITROËN, these being key Citroën values. The objective was to enhance the vehicle's dynamics and to create exceptional driving sensations.
Looking beyond its taut, dynamic lines, this racing car features innovative equipment such as enlarged air intakes at the front, a flat underside, and a mobile spoiler and air diffuser at the rear. All these features play an active role in reducing lift and – above all – drag, to pin the car to the ground.
With its flowing lines, original architecture and its use – in the game – of what is potentially the best environmental technology, GTbyCITROËN embodies the sporting spirit as seen by Citroën and underlines the Marque's ambitions to meet new challenges.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
salman anjum 8:54AM (10/02/2008)
Citroens stolen everyones cool and put it in this car. this looks overly good.
Reply
TwinTurbo3000GT 12:20PM (10/02/2008)
"everyone" = corvette concept. That's all i see.
ugg.tryptophan 12:50PM (10/02/2008)
too much good stuff
JAZ 3:07PM (10/02/2008)
That is one cool car. Reminds me of a modern day interpretation of the Countach.
Wally 8:57AM (10/02/2008)
They accidentally painted over the rear windshield. Looks awesome
Reply
RX7 SS 9:00AM (10/02/2008)
kinda looks like a veyron, apollo, and that corvette concept being used in transformers 2 somehow mated 3 ways and this is what came out....
very nice
Reply
Jorge 11:00AM (10/02/2008)
Same thoughts I have about the Veyron, looks great!!
s13hybrid 12:35PM (10/02/2008)
Add some whale shark in the mix, that is what this car reminds me of. Definitly odd, but cool at the same time.
Justin 9:00AM (10/02/2008)
Cars with no rear windows = FAIL.
Otherwise, cool and space-shippy.
Reply
Marc-O 9:22AM (10/02/2008)
Why bother with a window when you can have a cool and space-shippy wide angle camera giving you a spiffy view of the back 180...
Torrent 11:37AM (10/02/2008)
The teasers made it look much better than it actually is...
CarlosMC 5:28PM (10/02/2008)
There's no use for one - with the virtual speed it will reach, cars behind you will disapear in the horizon too fast to be seen.
JayP 9:11AM (10/02/2008)
Paint it red and Michael Knight can race it.
Reply
Dude 9:03AM (10/02/2008)
Looks like someone saw Speed Racer this summer.
Reply
jjd 10:52AM (10/02/2008)
I was going to say.... "Calling Racer-X! Caling Racer-X!"
MajorGeek 9:07AM (10/02/2008)
Stormtroopers called, they want their car back.
Reply
James Sonne 9:38AM (10/02/2008)
The Ministry of Stupid Jokes called ... you owe them royalties.
Arunas 9:12AM (10/02/2008)
This car looks like a duck with the burns.. and the cockpit.. like sink! Sorry Citroen, but not this time :-(
Reply
Sam Russell 9:10AM (10/02/2008)
I bet the top gear guys would dig this car. They always complain about super cars being all user-friendly and having 'nannies'... this looks like a car a kid would build if he/she were a really good drawer/designer...
I'd hate to have a crash with that dash design though... i think they might have to rework the interior a little if it goes into productions
http://www.samalamadingdong.com
Reply
LloydChiro 9:21AM (10/02/2008)
Put the cover back on it!
Reply