Volkswagen GTI Roadster Vision Gran Turismo

The beauty with the Vision Gran Turismo concept is that the manufacturers get absolutely free hands in creating something exceptional. Granted, so far the cars have been a track focused road cars and this one is no different on that point. But they all have the specific manufacturers unique touch.

Volkswagen GTI Roadster Vision Gran Turismo

This one is, I think, the most special so far. It is the Volkswagen GTI Roadster VGT. Already from the name you know it's not going to be like any from the former Vision Gran Turismo concepts. It is indeed without a roof. It sits extremely low down and has a low-cut windshield which i think makes it look like a saucer. In truth though, all the lines and crevices have an important job of keeping the four-wheel drive roadster glued to the road. Volkswagen have kept the red GTI stripe at the front and the headlights do look very much as the ones found on the current VW Golf, although a bit squashed.

An F1-styled steering-wheel with a switch for the windscreen wipers.

Volkswagen have had to work quite hard on this car since it actually has a designed and working interior unlike the other VGT cars. It would be quite idiotic to create a roadster and then leave the interior darkened in the game. And the interior needs to work as well since this car exists in real life.

As for what powers this car. I was delightfully surprised it hasn't got an economical 2.0 litre turbo, instead they have fitted it with the - dare i say - iconic VR6. This engine, I believe, was last seen in the Mk5 Golf R32. Anyhow, the 3.0 litre VR6 produces the same kind of power as the Mitsubishi VGT, 502 horsepower aided by two turbos. And as the Mitsubishi it darts around the track as a bee hopped up on sugar.

Volkswagen may be the only German car manufacturer that could create a serious track car which feels fun. It doesn't take itself too seriously. Which, in my books, makes it a proper GTI.

VW GTI Roadster VGT at Madrid street circuit.

I can imagine a poor rear visibility with that massive rear wing.

This glowing GTI "winglet" by the wheel is something I would like to see in future GTI's