During the Gran Turismo Video Game World Finals in Monaco, Ferrari presented its Vision Gran Turismo creation. A car that will appear in the title Gran Turismo 7. Flavio Manzoni, in charge of design at Maranello, spoke about the process of creating this vehicle, during an interview.
A car symbol of the future of Ferrari
Auto-Moto – When did you start working on this project?
Flavio Manzoni, Ferrari – We started two and a half years ago, with the advanced design team, led by Matteo de Petris. But also with different departments of the company, especially aerodynamics and not just engineering. We really wanted to do something that wasn’t an exercise in style. It is much more than that. It represents a redesign of our car that, let’s say, looks to the future of the company in terms of aerodynamics, innovation and everything in between.
The rear of the Ferrari Vision Gran Turismo
What does this car of Ferrari’s future represent?
It’s like a design manifesto. So nothing we wanted to produce. But a possible concept imagining a 2040 or 2050 Ferrari. When we started, the commitment was: “Let’s not only try to make the most beautiful car in the world, but also be realistic enough. Let’s try to imagine the type of shape that a possible Ferrari of the future could have. It’s like a model.
Links to Ferrari’s Le Mans project
Are there any links between this car and the F1 project or the World Endurance Championship project?
There is a strong link with the Le Mans car, the 499P. As you can see, there is also a synergy in terms of design. You may recognize that there is a connection between this design and that of the 499P. This is also found for aerodynamics. Some of the technical solutions chosen for the performance of this car are partly inspired by those chosen for the 499P.
Matteo De Petris, Head of Design, joins the discussion – We share a lot with the 499P, especially on the rear end. On general aerodynamics, we are trying to imagine the future. We radically use the bodywork to increase downforce. There are solutions that we want to use more and more in the future.
Flavio Manzoni – In terms of architecture, in terms of layout, in terms of package, there is a link with the 499P. This car remains a bit like an F1, with a dress.
The Ferrari 499P will compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans
Is there a chance, one day, to see this car in person?
It’s not planned.
How many people worked on this project?
In total, I would say 20 people or even more, maybe 23.
Have you looked at what other manufacturers have done with their Vision Gran Turismo?
We know about the other creations, of course. But we wanted to strive for excellence! (Laughs).
Total freedom
How is creating a car for a game different from creating a real car?
There is the added value of freedom, there is more freedom. In real life, we don’t know what will happen in the future, in terms of approvals or other rules. In a video game, we can work with more freedom and generate ideas with more and more imagination. This is the main difference.
What are Ferrari’s next projects in Esport or video games?
We are not talking about the future! (Laughs).
The interior of the Ferrari Vision Gran Turismo
What did you focus on the most for this car?
Matteo De Petris – The proportions, the stylistic language, it is difficult to sum everything up in one element…
Flavio Manzoni – Proportions is a good answer, but it’s all about proportions and balance. We wanted this car to represent speed and look very pure. Although there are some technical elements, they are made of carbon fiber, in order to create different levels of reading. There’s the bodywork and there are those technical areas, which don’t really affect the purity of the line.
Some players who have met specific criteria can already use this Ferrari Vision Gran Turismo. For everyone else, this vehicle will be available for purchase on December 23 on GT7 only.
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