Sony Computer Entertainment today revealed details of a fantasy racing car built using real technologies.
The X1 Prototype, created by Polyphony Digital, has been designed to demonstrate a vehicle without limitations from existing race regulation.
The starting point was a low drag single seat wing car with a glass canopy and covered wheels, powered by a forced induction engine. The result; 1,483hp at 15,000rpm, a top speed of 400kmh and up to 6G of lateral G-force. However, with the guidance of aerodynamics expert and racing car designer Adrian Newey, the initial concept then took a big step forward. He proposed the use of ‘Fan Car’ technology - last seen and rapidly banned from F1 in the late 70s - where a fan is used to force air out from underneath the car, lowering the air pressure creating additional downforce.
A redesign of the car showed traditional low speed corners could be taken at significantly higher speeds. The new figures showed a maximum lateral G force exceeding 8G and a top speed of more than 450kmh.
Adrian Newey comments: “The results were thrilling. X1 is about evolution. Delivering the optimum combination of tested technologies in a single integrated design. This would be the future of racing were we not bound by regulations, but one that is achievable today. Today thanks to PlayStation 3 and Gran Turismo we can test drive the future.”
X1 Prototype technical specifications
- Length: 4.75m
- Width: 2.18m
- Height: 0.98m
- Wheelbase: 2.9m
- Front Tread: 1.85m
- Rear Tread: 1.78m
- Dry Weight: 545kg
- Wet (gross) Weight: 615kg
- 3000cc V6 Twin Turbo Engine (Direct Injection)
- Maximum Output: 1106.0kw(1503.8ps)／15000rpm *1483hp
- Maximum Torque: 714.1Nm(72.9kgf*m)／12000rpm
- Full Active Ride Suspension
- Downforce Maximum output 9800N(1000kgf), equal to 1.63G
- 0-60mph: 1.4sec
- 0-120mph: 2.8sec
- 0-200mph: 6.1sec
- Maximum Speed: Over 280mph (450km/h)
