A Look Back at the Video Game-Inspired Chaparral 2x Vision GT

Fantasy to Reality

For the most part, cars designed strictly for video games rarely make it to the real world. However, it has happened a few times throughout history, most notably, with the rather insane Chaparral 2X Vision GT built by GM. The wild racer debuted at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show and was promptly featured in Gran Turismo 6, where it was a much better fit than the real world thanks to a number of crazy features.

Photos: Chevrolet

Frickin' Lasers

The tech present in the Chaparral 2x Vision GT is nothing short of mind-blowing, as were the numbers surrounding it - 900+ horsepower, a 1.5-second 0-60 time, 240 mile-per-hour top speed, and a 671 kW laser, because every good car needs one of those, at least according to the famous movie villain Dr. Evil.

Photos: Chevrolet

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Futuristic Power Source

That laser isn't used to destroy your enemies, however. Rather, the mid-mounted laser-beamed energy propulsion system creates shockwaves and, subsequently, massive amounts of thrust by using pulses of light that focus in a shroud. That strange setup, coupled with lithium-ion batteries and an air-powered generator, is what makes the concept tick.

Photos: Chevrolet

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Progressive Strategy

Meanwhile, the race car's propulsion and suspension systems are built around the driver, enabling progressive strategies of active and driver-adjustable aerodynamics, eliminating the need for large, conventional wings and other aero devices used to generate grip-enhancing downforce, which helps reduce the overall mass of the Chaparral 2X VGT's minimalist structure. Only essential elements are on board, with instrumentation, for example, projected on the driver’s helmet visor.

Photos: Chevrolet

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Strange Position

As one might expect from such an insane machine, the seating position is a bit different as well. The driver basically lays down, with arms and legs spread out toward the wheels, which GM says "enables progressive strategies of active and driver-adjustable aero."

Photos: Chevrolet

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Revolutionary but Fun

Regardless, it all worked, at least in the video game world. "Driving the Chaparral 2X VGT was truly a blast," said Gran Turismo gamer Armen Aghakhan. "Much like its predecessors, this car is truly revolutionary for its time and I am one of the few lucky ones to get to experience this car first hand."

Photos: Chevrolet

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Fantasy Car

Of course, even though it is a real physical concept, this car wasn't really designed to be driven on actual roads. "The Chevrolet Chaparral 2X Vision GT serves as an example of what our designers are capable of when they are cut loose, no holds barred," said Ed Welburn, vice president of GM Global Design. "It's a fantasy car in every sense of the word."

Photos: Chevrolet

>>Join the conversation about the Chaparral 2x Vision GT right here in LS1Tech Forum!

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