Mazda's best-looking concept is finally drivable!
The Mazda RX-Vision Concept, which was released way back in 2015, may be the most attractive design ever released by Mazda, so much so that enthusiasts desperately want to see the company put the concept into production under the name RX-9. While it may not be the production sports car we've been clamoring for, Mazda has just revealed a new version of the car called the RX-Vision GT3 Concept.
Developed in partnership with Polyphony Digital Inc., the Mazda RX-Vision GT3 Concept will make its virtual debut on the Gran Turismo Sport video game on May 22, 2020. This more extreme, track-focused version of the RX-Vision joins other creations made specifically for Gran Turismo by an assortment of automakers.
The RX-Vision GT3 Concept takes the original RX-Vision design and adds more aggressive racecar elements including a front splitter, a massive hood vent, Michelin racing tires, and a huge rear wing. You may have also spotted that the exhaust pipes have moved from the rear of the car to the side, just behind the front wheels.
Sending fumes to those side pipes is a 2.6-liter SkyActiv-R four-rotor engine producing 562 horsepower at 9,000 rpm and 398 lb-ft of torque at 7,500 rpm. Weighing in at just 2,755 pounds, the RX-Vision GT3 should be lightning fast around a virtual circuit. Sadly, all of this engine information is for the game only. The 2020 Mazda MX-30 is the only real-life Mazda to use a rotary engine but it only uses gasoline to charge the batteries rather than drive the wheels.
Inside, the RX-Vision's retro-themed cabin has been thrown away in favor of a realistic GT3 racing cockpit compete with a single racing seat, steering wheel, nets, roll cage, and gauges. Any Gran Turismo player who uses a Mazda vehicle in-game will be automatically granted seed rights to participate in the FIA-certified Gran Turismo Championship, which will be held around the world in the 2020 season.
We'd love to see Mazda build this car as a real-life GT3 racer but the FIA GT3 category requires cars to be based on an available two-seater or 2+2-seater sports car. If Mazda were to build a racing version, it would have to homologate a certain amount of road-going versions. Well Mazda, what are you waiting for?
Acura
Alfa Romeo
Aston Martin
Audi
Automobili Pininfarina
Bentley
BMW
Bollinger
BrightDrop
Bugatti
Buick
Cadillac
Caterham
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Dodge
Ferrari
Fiat
Fisker
Ford
Genesis
GMC
Gordon Murray Automotive
Hennessey
Honda
Hyundai
Ineos Automotive
Infiniti
Jaguar
Jeep
Karma
Kia
Koenigsegg
Lamborghini
Land Rover
Lexus
Lincoln
Lordstown
Lotus
Lucid Motors
Maserati
Mazda
McLaren
Mercedes-Benz
Mini
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Pagani
Polestar
Porsche
Ram
Rimac
Rivian
Rolls-Royce
Spyker
Subaru
Tesla
Toyota
VinFast
Volkswagen
Volvo
Join The Discussion