VW unveils GTI Roadster, Vision Gran Turismo concept

Volkswagen has debut a new concept car called the GTI Roadster, Vision Gran Turismo at the annual Wörthersee festival in Austria. As its name implies, the concept was born out of a collaboration between VW and the video game franchise Gran Turismo.

Building on the Design Vision GTI concept that debuted at last year’s festival, the GTI Roadster takes an even more radical approach to what a future convertible version of the popular hot hatchback might look like. The front end styling of the concept is still recognizable as a GTI, but the rest of the car has been given an aero treatment that is more racecar than road-car. VW says the concept’s large rear wing helps to provide additional downforce at speed.

Inside the GTI Roadster is strictly a two-seater, with driver and passenger treated to racing seats, five-point seat belts, racing-style steering wheel and a black and red color scheme.

Of course no racing car would be complete without an exciting drivetrain, and the GTI Roadster doesn’t disappoint. VW shoehorned a 3.0L twin-turbocharged V6 beneath the concept’s hood, good for 503 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. Sending that power to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, VW says the GTI Roadster can scoot from 0-60 in a supercar-like 3.5 seconds and hit a top speed of 192mph.

VW has no plans to put the GTI Roadster concept into regular production, but enthusiasts will be able to take the hopped-up drop-top for a virtual spin in Gran Turismo 6 starting next month.