The concept car craze of the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s saw automakers pushing the boundaries of innovation and design. The Dodge Copperhead concept, for example, never made it to production, but it showcased the company’s capabilities. Another notable concept car from this era is the GT by Citroën, a supercar designed by the French automaker in collaboration with Polyphony, the game development studio behind the Gran Turismo series.
The GT by Citroën concept was first introduced in 2008 and featured a sleek, futuristic design that resembled a spaceship. It was powered by a Ford-sourced 5.4L V8 engine, producing 646 horsepower. The concept car was designed to be a clean-sheet project, with no existing platform or engine to draw from. Citroën’s engineers and designers worked closely with Polyphony to create a vehicle that would be both visually stunning and performance-oriented.
One of the unique aspects of the GT by Citroën concept was its debut in the Gran Turismo 5 video game. The game’s director, Kazunori Yamauchi, was a childhood friend of Takumi Yamamoto, the chief exterior designer of the GT by Citroën. This collaboration allowed the concept car to be designed and developed in tandem with the game, resulting in a highly detailed and realistic digital model.
The GT by Citroën concept featured a number of innovative design elements, including a sculpted center console with chrome-clad switches and a polished copper finish. The interior was designed to resemble a spaceship, with a focus on aerodynamics and streamlined design. Unfortunately, despite its promising design and features, the GT by Citroën concept never made it to production.
Another French automaker, Venturi, also unveiled a concept car in 2008, the Venturi Volage. This lightweight, razor-sharp driving machine was designed with aerodynamics in mind and featured a sleek, minimalist design. Although it received positive feedback at the Paris Motor Show, the Venturi Volage project was ultimately canceled due to a lack of funding.
The failure of these concept cars to make it to production is a reminder of the challenges and risks involved in automotive design and development. Despite the excitement and innovation that concept cars bring, they often require significant investment and resources to bring to market. In the case of the GT by Citroën and Venturi Volage, the cost of design, development, and production proved too high, and the projects were ultimately shelved.
In conclusion, the GT by Citroën and Venturi Volage concept cars represent the pinnacle of innovation and design in the automotive industry. Although they may not have made it to production, they showcase the creativity and vision of automakers and designers, and demonstrate the importance of pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the world of cars.