Uncaged In PlayStation’s Gran Turismo 7, The Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo Roadster

Rendezvousing with its other counterparts in the digital realm, Jaguar uncages its third all-electric virtual gaming sports car, the Vision Gran Turismo Roadster.

The Jag’s latest all-electric virtual racer joins the grid for the launch of Gran Turismo 7, the latest and most immersive iteration yet of the world-renowned racing game.

This ensued the success of the original Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo Coupé and the extreme Vision Gran Turismo SV endurance racer.

Jaguar Advanced Design’s exterior designer, Oliver Cattell-Ford, expressed, “As a car designer, being part of the team that has delivered three virtual cars for the Gran Turismo series has been a dream project. Since the reveal of the Vision GT Coupé in 2019 and Vision GT SV in 2020, we wanted to curate the perfect way to present the full line-up of the three cars together when we revealed the Roadster, and Gran Turismo 7 is the perfect way to do it.

To elaborate, the Vision GT Roadster is designed to bring gamers the pure, visceral driving experience of an open-cockpit Jaguar sports car.

Outstandingly, it is powered by three electric motors generating a total output of more than 750 kW (1,020 PS/1,006 hp) and a neck splitting, maximum torque of 1,200 Nm. 

Together with outstanding ride, handling and agility, this all-wheel-drive beast does 0 to 60 mph (0 to 96 km/h) in under two seconds and has a top speed of over 200 mph (322 km/h).

A state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery pack is fitted as low down in the vehicle’s structure as possible, contributing to the low centre of gravity, low roll centre and near 50:50 weight distribution.

Power from the battery is fed to the three aforementioned e-motors that are light, powerful and compact. They were developed using the data from Jaguar Racing’s Formula E experience.

Then, the Roadster’s light, stiff monocoque body is expertly and meticulously crafted from carbon-fibre composites and advanced aluminium alloys. 

Gazing at it, the flowing surfaces, dramatic lines and perfect proportions of the first two Jaguar Gran Turismo Vision cars are instantly recognisable.

However, in place of a deployable canopy that encloses the cockpit, the GT Roadster features a swept-back aero screen directly in front of the driver. 

Flipping to the rear, what can be seen is a modern interpretation of the fin synonymous with the three-time Le Mans-winning D-type.

Aerodynamically-optimised, it was made using the latest computational fluid dynamics tools to be deployable at speed for enhanced stability with minimal drag.  

That’s not all, the fin also features one of the many beautiful details to be found throughout the Vision GT Roadster.

For example, the form of a Union Jack etched using the Jaguar monogram pattern into the fin itself, which is subtly illuminated by LEDs.

Beautifully, the theme continues with the hand-crafted leather straps on the front fenders and iconic roundel lights in the front grille.  

Moreover, to recognize Jaguar’s trilogy of cars in the Vision GT series, Jaguar’s Design team have developed new bespoke livery for each one. 

Said specially-developed black and grey paints and subtle graphics emphasise the cars’ inherently dramatic, beautiful designs, and are unique to the cars’ in-game liveries. 

In a nutshell, the Vision GT Roadster is an all-electric single-seater that combines the race-proven powertrain from the Coupé with a taut, sculpted form mused by the iconic, timeless Jaguar D-type. 

Polyphony Digital Inc.’s president and gran turismo creator, Kazunori Yamauchi, remarked, “We are delighted to announce the Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo Roadster, which completes the trilogy of Jaguar Vision vehicles for Gran Turismo 7. It was a great experience to work with the design team at Jaguar. We look forward to drivers getting behind the virtual wheel in the new game. All three cars lend themselves perfectly to the exciting new user experience that GT7 will offer.” 

On that note, further enhancing the experience are the new features that Polyphony Digital has developed for Gran Turismo 7 which is now available for PS4 and PS5 consoles.

Most notably, as well as the new GT Roadster, players can now for the first time drive the Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo SV.

First shown in December 2020 and always destined for release in Gran Turismo 7, it is an all-electric virtual endurance race car. 

Designed by Jaguar and engineered by Jaguar SV, it delivers the extremes in terms of performance, traction and high-speed stability. 

Harbouring four electric motors developed by Jaguar Racing, it generates 1,400 kW (1,903 PS/1,877 hp) of combined power.

Leaping with an all-wheel-drive system, it surges from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 96 km/h) in just 1.65 seconds and reaches a 255 mph (410 km/h) top speed. 

All in all, the Vision Gran Turismo Roadster, Vision Gran Turismo Coupé and Vision Gran Turismo SV are now available for players to wreak havoc on the tracks of the Gran Turismo 7 PlayStation game.