Gran Turismo Sport Archives

McLaren Solus GT – from gaming world to reality

The McLaren Solus GT was born in the virtual gaming world of Gran Turismo SPORT. Now, the carmaker will make it a reality that can be driven on racetracks. Only 25 will be built and all of them have already been sold before the official unveiling in California yesterday. The pricing of the hypercar has not been revealed although it can be expected to be many, many millions of ringgit.

The striking futuristic exterior design is remarkably faithful to its virtual inspiration. While machines in simulator games have total technical freedom because the designers are not constrained by cost or regulations, the Solus GT is based on proven aerodynamic principles and McLaren’s ‘everything for a reason’ design ethos. This is further supported by CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) and wind-tunnel aerodynamic research.

Among the numerous external features are the sliding canopy above the single central (like a jet fighter) and wheels are shrouded in aerodynamic pods and located by suspension arms. A large front splitter feeds air into ground-effect tunnels before it exits the car via a full diffuser. A motorsport-inspired intake above the cockpit integrated into the design of the roll-over hoop cover feeds cold air into the engine. The sidepods which house the Solus GT’s radiators are inspired by racing car design.

A twin-element, fixed rear wing is key to a downforce figure (over 1,202 kgs) that exceeds the overall weight of the hypercar (1,002 kgs). The downforce to drag ratio is also optimized, aiding straight-line performance as well as enhancing cornering abilities.

In common with every McLaren since 1981, the Solus GT is based around a carbonfibre monocoque, in this case one created using specialist low-volume production methods. The front and rear chassis structures are also made from carbonfibre, with the engine and gearbox forming the rest of the chassis.

Carbonfibre is not the only high-value material in the hypercar. Further embracing technologies used in the top tiers of motorsport, 3D-printed titanium components have been used for the halo cockpit protection structure and roll hoop. This is the first time the approach has been adopted for structural elements in a McLaren production car, allowing a tailored design as well reducing weight.

The powertrain is a naturally-aspirated 5.2-litre V10 engine with a bespoke 7-speed sequential shift gearbox. It can rev to more than 10,000 rpm and will produce over 829 bhp/650 Nm. The engine’s responsiveness is enhanced by the use of barrel-driven throttles for each cylinder – a system only suitable for track application – and is entirely gear-driven, with no chains or belts for camshaft or ancillary systems.

The engine was also chosen for its structural qualities; for the first time in a McLaren production car, the engine is an integral part of the chassis. Conventional practice in race car construction, this design approach optimizes weight reduction by negating the need for additional chassis structures or subframes behind the carbonfibre monocoque.

The race-derived 7-speed sequential gearbox, which features a bespoke casting and casing – the latter manufactured from aluminium with magnesium panels – is mounted to the back of the engine with the rear suspension fixed to the gearbox casing. The system is fully automated and software controlled, removing the need for the driver to operate the clutch, aiding pit-lane pull-away.

McLaren says the Solus GT will be capable of the fastest lap times of any McLaren outside of single-seater racing and delivers a driving experience close to the engagement and sensation of driving a Formula 1 racing car. Acceleration from 0 – 100 km/h has a target time of 2.5 seconds and the top speed will be more than 320 km/h.

In the cockpit, the steering wheel (with a unique design among McLaren production cars) takes its inspiration from Formula 1, with instrument panel display and essential controls integrated to suit the tight confines of a single-seater track car. Beyond the steering wheel is a view through the glass ‘bubble’, with integrated halo-style cockpit protection.

The perfectly symmetrical 180-degree line of sight provided by the central driving position is further aided by the dramatically styled wheel pods in helping the driver to position the hypercar on a track. Above the driver’s head are switches for engine ignition and the fully plumbed-in emergency fire extinguisher.

This area also houses the rearview display, streamed in real-time from a camera located on the roll hoop behind the driver’s head. The wide-angle camera provides a comprehensive rear view of the track to allow traffic to pass on a slowing-down lap or aid pit-lane maneuvering.

To further enhance the driving experience for Solus GT owners, McLaren is offering a full ‘racing driver experience’. This includes a driving seat molded to the driver’s individual body shape; an FIA-homologated race suit, helmet and HANS device bespoke to each owner, and radio-enabled ear inserts.

All owners will get a flight case to allow them to support their own track activities. This includes a comprehensive set of tools, vehicle jacks, stands, radio sets and a coolant pre-heater. After the cars are delivered next year, Solus GT track events are planned and a full driver-development coaching program will also be available to help owners fully exploit the potential of their new hypercar.

McLaren Sabre – developed by customers for themselves

Toyota GR Velocity Esports Championship finale to be broadcast live this weekend

The excitement of the Toyota GR Velocity Esports Championship returns this weekend with the top 20 simulator racers in Malaysia vying for the honours of winning a share of the total prize pool of RM70,000. Additionally, the top three winners will go on to represent the country in the GR GT Cup Asia qualifiers organized by Toyota Motor Asia Pacific.

Most lucrative local online racing series
Billed as one of the most lucrative local online racing series in the country, the Toyota GR Velocity Esports Championship offers a cash prize of RM20,000, RM10,000, RM7,000, RM5,500, RM4,500 to the top 5 overall winners. The 6^th to 10^th finishers will receive RM4,000, RM3,500, RM3,000, RM2,500 and RM2,000, respectively.

There’s also a prize of RM500 each for those who finish in 11th to 20th positions. Additional cash prizes of RM450 and RM200 will be awarded to the first and second place winners in each of the two individual races.

Prior to this weekend’s semi-finals and finals, more than 800 participants from around Malaysia participated in the championship which began with qualifying rounds last month. Then came the quarter-finals which were held on September 4 and 5 to select the top 20 racers who will compete in the semi-finals on September 18. The 10 best racers will then move to the final challenge on Sunday.

2019 Toyota GR Velocity Esports Championship — The semi-finals and finals have been held in public spaces in previous years. This year, due to the pandemic and need for social distancing to be maintained, the racers will connect from their homes using Sony PlayStation’s Gran Turismo Sport platform.

Unlike previous years when the events were held in public spaces, this year’s finale will be run completely online from each competitor’s home, with the race utilizing Sony PlayStation’s Gran Turismo Sport platform. Spectators can follow the race action which will be broadcast on TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Malaysia’s Facebook and YouTube pages and also over Astro eGG, the first eSports channel in Southeast Asia.

The Toyota 2000GT is one of the cars the sim racers will use. Only 351 units of Japan’s first supercar were produced between 1967 and 1970. Being of an earlier era, its driving dynamics will be different from the modern racing cars like the Le Mans-winning TS050 HYBRID (below) which will also be used.

Racing at famous circuits
In the semi-finals, all the racers will first pilot the Toyota 2000GT (the first Japanese supercar) in a 15-minute race around the 73-year old Goodwood Motor Circuit in England, and afterwards another reversed-grid order race of the 3.8-km circuit. The third race behind the wheel of the GR Supra Racing Concept for a 30-minute race at Australia’s 6.2-km Mount Panorama-Bathurst circuit, well known for its annual 12-hour race.

*One of the tracks will be Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.*

The final is also a 3-race format. The first two races will see a 15-minute sprint race with racers competing in the FT-1 Vision Gran Turismo GR.3 at the 7-km Spa Francorchamps circuit in Belgium. The championship decider will be a 40-minute finale at Fuji Speedway, behind the wheel of the Le Mans-winning TS050 Hybrid, during which they must make at least one pit-stop.

The two-day semi-finals and finals will see 4 previous GR Velocity Esports Championship winners returning. They include defending champion Taj Aiman, and last year’s runner-up and third place winner Iqbal Suji and Mior Hafiz, as well as 2018 winner Muhammad Uzair. Last year, Taj finished second overall in first-ever GR Supra GT Cup Asia.

The finals will also see several racers currently competing in the Vios Challenge Promotional, Sporting, Super Sporting and Rookie classes, in an exhibition race. Having challenged each other in the first round at Sepang earlier this year, they will now have a chance to continue the duels while waiting for the series to be resumed.

TGR Festival Season 4 Round 1 — *Some of the racers from the Vios Challenge, in Season 4 this year, will also participate in an exhibition race online.*

During the broadcasts on the two days, there will also be interviews with the racers as well as GR Ambassador, Tengku Djan Ley and the event’s Race Director, former F1 driver Alex Yoong. The broadcast times will be 10:30 am to 6 pm on Saturday and 3 pm to 6 pm on Sunday.

Fourth year of championship
First held in 2018, the number of participants in the Toyota GR Velocity Esports Championship has grown from 400 to more than 800 this year. Last year’s event drew more than 1 million online spectators who watched the 2-day event via the Facebook and YouTube channels. Until today, UMW Toyota Motor remains the first and the only Malaysian car company to be associated with e-sports, a fast-growing activity which has even been recognised by the FIA, the world motorsport governing body.

“The momentum and the level of interest for the GR Velocity Esports Championship have grown tremendously in just 4 years. This is a huge boost for both e-sports and motorsports and we are glad that we persevered to keep the championship going despite the restrictions faced due to the pandemic,” said President of UMW Toyota Motor, Ravindran K.

*The Toyota GR Velocity Esports Championship has been run since 2018.*

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Malaysia’s Chief Motorsports Officer, Akio Takeyama, said the company remains committed to its aspirations of establishing a bigger footprint in Malaysian motorsports.

“In the 4 years that the GAZOO Racing brand has actively been in Malaysian motorsports, we have seen the eco-system dynamically transform. At one point, we experienced young racers joining the Vios Challenge street racing series, and then it evolved to having simulator racers not only joining the event but proving they are also capable of winning a real race. Today, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we see a growing population of professional racers not just globally but also domestically, migrating to compete online in the absence of physical events. This is a fantastic evolution for both esports and motorsports and I believe moving forward one will be dependent on the other in order to produce racers of exceptional quality,” said Mr. Takeyama.

The story behind TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and why it was created

First Michelin Virtual Racing Series 2021 now underway in Malaysia

Michelin Malaysia’s first-ever e-Racing competition – the Michelin Virtual Racing Series 2021 – is now underway. It is Michelin’s first major endeavour into the local e-sports industry which has seen increased activity in the past few years, especially last year when the Movement Control Order (MCO) limited outdoor motorsports events.

The event, which is open to Malaysian residents, is hosted exclusively on Gran Turismo Sport, and is an official e-Racing sanctioned event under the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM). Driving Standards regulations from real-world MSF SuperTurismo regulations will be implemented for this event.

6-week event
The competition has 3 phases in June and July. beginning with time trial submissions until June 27. The top 94 participants with the fastest times will go through time trial Verification Sessions and then race head-to-head in Tournament Rounds. These will be held over 2 weekends in July.

All the races will be held on the Sardegna Road Track A II with participants using the BMW M6 GT3 M Power equipped with Michelin racing medium tyres. Driving Standards regulations from real-world MSF SuperTurismo regulations will be implemented for this event.

The event offers winners prizes worth a total of RM70,000, with prizes in cash as well as passenger car tyres and exclusive merchandise.

“As an active supporter of the e-sports and e-gaming industry on a global level, we are proud to channel our support locally as well, with the first-ever Michelin Virtual Racing Series in Malaysia. With the global pandemic limiting our movement in the real-world, we encourage residents of Malaysia – who are doing their part by staying at home and keeping everyone safe – to take part in this exciting journey with us from the comfort of their home,” said Oliver Biggart, MD of Michelin Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.

Are you good enough to be a Lamborghini Official Sim driver?

Toyota GAZOO Racing Online Challenge starts in Malaysia!

UPDATE: The first round will be on April 24/25 (Friday/Saturday)

Since 2018, UMW Toyota Motor has been extending its involvement in eSports as a complementary activity to its Toyota GAZOO Racing (TGR) Racing Festival and Vios One-Make Race events. In fact, it was the first Malaysian car company to be associated with eSports when it sponsored the Toyota Velocity Esports Championship which saw over 400 participants. The second season of the championship last September saw 650 participants.

Now with the Movement Control Order (MCO) restricting much of the Malaysian population to their homes, the company has come up with something that will excite racing simulator gamers and those who are the ‘best of the best’ can even win cash prizes.

RM7,500 total prize money
UMWT has announced an online challenge the Toyota GAZOO Racing Malaysia Online Challenge which starts off this tomorrow (Friday, April 24, 2020). This is a virtual time-attack challenge which will have 5 rounds between April 24 and May 22, 2020.

The 5 fastest racers in each round will win prizes ranging from RM500 to RM100, with the total prize money for the entire tournament amounting to RM7,500.

Click here to go to the registration/information page for the TGR Malaysia Online Challenge

Entry is free by registering online and open to any Malaysian resident 6 years old or older. Those who want to participate must have a PlayStation4 console (and the relevant accessories, of course) and a copy of ‘Gran Turismo Sport’. They must have, either unlocked or purchased, the GR Supra RZ ’19, Toyota TS050 Hybrid, Lexus Au TOM’S RCF, Toyota GT86 Group B Rally or Supra Racing Concept which are the cars required.

Toyota GR Supra RZ — *The GR Supra RZ, one of the racing cars used in the TGR Online Challenge.*

Players are only allowed to join each Round once to set their best time. The time they set will determine their position and when they enter the next round, there will be a ‘Time Handicap’ imposed on all Top 5 Winners of each round to make it more interesting and challenging throughout the Online Challenge. The Time Handicap will range from 2.5 seconds to 0.5 second.

UPDATE: First round changed to April 24/25

Playstation 4 Gran Turismo Sport Update gets Weathertech Laguna Seca raceway and 7 more cars (w/VIDEO)

For those who enjoy Gran Turismo Sport on Playstation 4, the December update should provide new challenges with not only the addition of 7 new cars but also the Laguna Seca raceway in California. The update was released recently as Update 1.53 and includes a range of Safety Cars.

The cars are:

PS4 Gran Turismo Sport new cars (3) — *Renault Sport Megane R.S. Trophy Safety Car | 1995 Porsche 911 Carrera RS Club Sport (993) | 2013 Toyota Crown Athlete G*

VW Golf Mk 1 — *Players can also experience the original VW Golf GTI which came out in 1983.*

Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Safety Car | 2017 Ford GT | Toyota Crown Athlete G Safety Car

The WeatherTech Laguna Seca raceway is located in central California and was opened in 1957. WeatherTech has been the main sponsor since 2018 but before that, Mazda was the main sponsor for 17 years.

The 3.6-km circuit’s famous feature is a very challenging section known as ‘The Corkscrew’. This has a blind crest apex on the uphill approach and drops 18 metres. It’s regarded as a technical circuit with 11 corners and drivers need to be able to maintain precise control over their speed at all times as any errors in estimation will result in them going off track or crashing.

In addition, Update 1.53 also has 7 new rounds added to GT League events. These include a ‘Beginner League’ with 2 new rounds added to the ‘Z Heritage’ (only for racers using Z cars) and an Amateur League is added to the ‘Super Formula Championships’.

Incidentally, in case you missed it in November, there is also a single player game mode in which the player challenges best lap times set by none other than the ‘Maestro of Gran Turismo Sport’ and real-life 6-time F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton, who personally set the lap records in Gran Turismo Sport.

In addition to the challenges themselves, the package includes replays and video tutorials by Lewis himself, where you can take on the challenges while really learning to improve your skills from the Maestro.

Michelin is the Official Tyre Technology Partner for Gran Turismo

Hyundai N 2025 Vision included in Gran Turismo Sport vehicle pack

The highly anticipated PlayStation 4 racing game, Gran Turismo Sport, has now been made available for purchase worldwide. The game features some of the best graphics and gameplay ever seen on the gaming platform.

Like previous installments of Gran Turismo, the game has a whole host of amazing real world and concept vehicles that are bound to enthrall gamers and spectators alike. One of the main attractions of the game is the inclusion of a slew of concept vehicles designed by mainstream automakers especially for the game.

Manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Hyundai have their own respective Gran Turismo vehicles that will be featured in Gran Turismo Sport. Hyundai’s N 2025 Vision GT, which was introduced last year will be especially intriguing to try out in the game.

It incorporates styling from the prototype racing series as well as other open wheel competitions to form a body that looks both menacing and functional. It has been placed in the game’s Group 1 Category where it will join other manufacturers’ own virtual racers that bear the Vision Gran Turismo nomenclature.

These vehicles will also join other well-known real-world prototype racing cars from different manufacturers including Aston Martin, Bugatti and McLaren. Besides this, the game also features a plethora of real world sports cars and supercars made by mainstream automakers.

Speaking of the N 2025 Vision GT, Chris Chapman, Chief Designer at the Hyundai Design Center in Irvine, CA, said, “The N 2025 Vision GT is our ambitious take on what we think prototype racing could look like in the not-too-distant future. We’re thrilled to see it presented anew in one of the most visually stunning racing simulations ever created.”

He then added, “This concept is a point of pride for Hyundai on so many fronts. It effortlessly combines beauty and function as a racing car, and it boasts a fuel-cell powertrain that is as progressive as the bodywork wrapped around it.”

The car will be joined by other Hyundai racers that are based on the Genesis Coupe platform that include racing and Group B rally cars. Check out the videos and picture galley below and let us know what you think of Hyundai’s virtual product portfolio.

Gran Turismo Sport will be arriving in mid October 2017

After a substantial number of delays, we finally have some concrete evidence that GT Sport, the highly anticipated PlayStation 4 exclusive game, will be here soon. Based on the information we managed to gather from the gran turismo website, we now know that the highly acclaimed fifth installment of the world renowned simulation-like racing game will be put on sale on 17th October 2017.

The new game features a super realistic graphics engine that adds a sense of realism that has been absent from most of the current generation games. The vehicle textures seem very real and the attention detail that has been placed on every car, especially the interior is something that is awe-inspiring.

There’s even a specifically designed and tailored steering wheelcontroller that took four years to develop just for GT Sport, providing players with more realistic control and feedback. It’s called the Thrustmaster T-GT and it mimics the looks of a real racing steering wheel pretty well.

More details regarding the game will be divulged as we approach the launch date which is about three months away. According to the game makers, it will blitz all previous versions when it comes to performance, realism, graphics quality as well as vehicle drivability.

Till the actual launch, take a look at these trailers and let us know what you think about the upcoming game.

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