Hayabusa-powered Suzuki roadster isn't for sale but it should be 

Polyphony Digital, the developers of Gran Turismo 7, recently released a free update which includes a bunch of awesome-looking roadsters. Among these is the Suzuki Vision Gran Turismo, and to put it simply, this is a glimpse of what an all-out Suzuki-made roadster could be. 

Suzuki Vision Gran Turismo : Unveiled

Technically, the Suzuki Vision Gran Turismo is not a new concept car. Instead, it is a modernized take on the Suzuki GSX-R/4 concept which debuted back in 2001. 

Like the older concept car, the Vision Gran Turismo is a mid-engine vehicle that uses a Suzuki-made motorcycle engine. In the case of the newer one that debuted in the game, it is powered by the 1.3-liter inline-4 engine from the Suzuki Hayabusa sportbike, renowned at one point for being the world’s fastest production motorcycle.  

This of course means that the concept vehicle is a high-revving monster. Specifically, it can reach its peak output of 426 horsepower and 610 Nm of torque at 9,700 rpm. That’s its combined output by the way, as the aforementioned engine is actually paired with three electric motors, essentially making this concept car a hybrid. All that power and torque is then sent to all of the Vision Gran Turismo’s wheels.  

The Suzuki Vision Gran Turismo

Style-wise, this digital concept car pretty much looks like a Suzuki Swift Sport with the roof chopped off. The concept car does appear to have wider fenders, and it gets a fair bit more in the way of air intakes. It also weighs a measly 970 kgs., according to its in-game stats. 

For those who are boggled with the concept of slapping on a motorcycle engine into a car, then be aware that this isn’t exactly unheard of. For instance, the older GSX-R/4 concept also uses a Hayabusa engine. 

Other carmakers have previously made automobiles that used motorcycle power units. BMW had the 600 and 700 back in the 1950s, while Honda came up with the Z Kei car in the 1970s.  

In the present day, the Caterham Seven and the Ariel Atom also have configurations that makes them compatible with a good variety of high-revving motorcycle engines as well. 

Looks pretty slick, doesn't it?

So, is Suzuki really planning to build the Vision Gran Turismo and sell it? Well, that isn’t likely at least for now. But heck, they really should since this thing will be a hoot to drive on a race track. 

Then again, we’ll be lucky enough to see a functional, real-world version of this concept car in the first place. So for now, you’ll have to enjoy it by racing it through the digital race tracks of Gran Turismo 7. 

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