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LA Motor Show

Meet Chevy’s insane Vision GT

Published: 20 Nov 2014

A 240mph top speed. 0-60mph in 1.5 seconds. A frickin' 671kW laser. And 900bhp. Welcome everyone, to the most insane Gran Turismo concept we've ever seen.

Unveiled at the Los Angeles Motor Show, this fighty little thing is called the Chaparral 2X Vision GT, built - as you're probably aware - for Kazunori Yamauchi's seminal Gran Turismo racing series.

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Those with particularly long memories will remember Chaparral: the Texas-based outfit partnered with Chevy over 45 years ago, knocking out a few outlandish racers along the way.

Unlike many of the Vision GT concepts you've seen from the likes of BMW, Mitsubishi and Subaru, this one's actually real. If you pop down to the LA show now, you'll be able to touch it and everything.

We're told the 2X - in the game at least - packs a 671kW laser (cue Dr Evil close up) powered by a pack of lithium-ion batteries, and an air-powered generator to produce a cool, clean 900bhp. Think McLaren P1 territory. Chevy tells us this powertrain was "inspired by technology derived from advanced work targeted at space travel and future aircraft design." This is excellent inspiration.

How does it work? The mid-mounted laser beamed energy propulsion system, we're told, pulses beams of light that focus in a shroud, to create shock waves that generate massive thrust.

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In Gran Turismo, it'll do the performance stats as mentioned above. And if you actually get inside, you'll find the most bizarre - and slightly intimidating - seating position ever. You lie face down with your arms and legs splayed out towards the wheels, with suspension and propulsion built around the driver, which, says Chevy, "enables progressive strategies of active and driver adjustable aero."

"The Chaparral 2X VGT is a vision of how advanced technology may shape the look and driving experience of racing," explains Chevy. "Chaparral's race cars and methods were seen as outlandish four decades ago. The 2X VGT concept might just be a harbinger of motorsports in the next four decades."

We'll have more pics on this bonkers concept later fresh from the LA show floor. For now, have a scroll through the pics - best Vision GT concept so far?

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