Gran Turismo 5′s Red Bull X1 Prototype Revealed (w/Specs!)

Gran Turismo 5 Screenshots October 18th, 2010 by Jordan

The no-holds-barred prototype developed by Polyphony Digital and Red Bull has been revealed in the latest issue of Car magazine in the UK! As you may recall, the X1 is the answer to Kazunori Yamauchi’s question: “If you built the fastest racing car on land, one that throws aside all rules and regulations, what would that car look like, how would it perform, and how would it feel to drive?”

It’s been developed in conjunction with Formula 1′s most renowned aerodynamicist, Adrian Newey, and their star F1 driver, Sebastian Vettel. So far, we’ve only seen teaser shots, but now we get a much closer look along with some impressive specifications:

  • Engine: gas turbine, 1483bhp @ 15,000RPM, 527lb ft @ 12,000RPM
  • Transmission: continuously variable, rear-wheel drive
  • Top Speed: 249mph
  • Weight: 545kg
  • Length/Width/Height: 4750/2180/980mm
  • Suzuka Lap Time: 1:11.540 (compare with Vettel’s 2009 F1 lap time of 1:30.833)
  • Special Features: enclosed wheels, “fan element” to increase low and medium-speed downforce (much like a vacuum cleaner)

The article also confirms that time frames in Gran Turismo 5‘s races can be “compressed”, so you don’t have to stay up all night if you want to see the game’s impressive day/night transitions. Pick up the latest issue of Car (issue 580) now for a lot more details and in-depth discussion with Adrian Newey about the project. Big thanks to Rich (Loxstokk) for sending this in!

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302 Comments

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  1. November 6th, 2010 at 12:45 pm - #
    Team_MoFF-No2

    Damn Ugly isn’t it.. Lol But who cares, if the Car drives like a dream.. :0) well done PD ..

  2. October 25th, 2010 at 7:17 pm - #
    J-KiLLA24

    300th post!… had to.

  3. October 21st, 2010 at 12:39 am - #
    RTSolvalou

    I drove this car in Ridger Racer Type 4 back in 99, it’s a blast.
    *v*

    —–
    Also, in regards to pikes peak (and other old tracks which have not been confirmed), I wouldn’t count out a bit of DLC action from Yamauchi and his team, maybe even an advanced-features track editor upgrade. (I don’t want to spoil anything, but I figure few people will read this anyway)

    • October 21st, 2010 at 9:44 pm - #
      gtone339

      What you ahve said about driving it in Ridge Racer Type 4 is just a teaser of it really.

      Does like similar to it, like the appearance but lacks the juice to keep up with this prototype.

      Have a nice day :)

  4. October 20th, 2010 at 10:38 am - #
    Space Dynamics

    The Escudo made 1800+ HP in GT3. HAH! And way more torque!

    • October 20th, 2010 at 3:34 pm - #
      Sigmaviper11

      The Escudo, while powerful, was built as a Pikes Peak trial car. Its made for dirt and doesn’t do that well on tarmac. The Escudo may very well be able to be made the more powerful car, but it’ll still come across in 2nd when it comes to a race between it and this thing.

      Although, the X1 doesn’t look like it will EVER see a rally track, and should Pikes Peak be a viable location/track, then I know which car I’ll be selecting when it comes to that.

  5. October 19th, 2010 at 5:56 pm - #
    Sigmaviper11

    Btw, I just realized that at the end of the November 2nd announcement trailer, you can hear what sounds like a turbine spooling up. Could this be the mighty X1? idk. Won’t be long till we find out.

    • October 19th, 2010 at 9:44 pm - #
      J-KiLLA24

      good point, i actually forgot about that.

  6. October 19th, 2010 at 5:19 pm - #
    Apollo33

    Does anyone think the damage physics and modeling are capable of dealing with this car??

    I’m thinking 240+mph into a wall could be EPIC!! :-D

    • October 20th, 2010 at 1:02 am - #
      Juwlzxxx

      FATALITY!!!

  7. October 19th, 2010 at 5:13 pm - #
    Bolg

    So have they actually made this thing then or is it just a theoretical design for GT5?

  8. October 19th, 2010 at 5:02 pm - #
    Spaghettimonster

    i really wonder how the damage model works on this one. ;-)

  9. October 19th, 2010 at 4:10 pm - #
    FrnacisBenjamin

    how about more specs on the game?

  10. October 19th, 2010 at 4:08 pm - #
    Ferrari

    I hope theres an option to test drive cars before you buy them.
    I wanna test drive this thing atleast

    • October 19th, 2010 at 4:33 pm - #
      James

      Me too that would be awesome.

    • October 19th, 2010 at 4:39 pm - #
      GeminiOne

      in GT6 for sure hopefully

    • October 19th, 2010 at 6:45 pm - #
      Sigmaviper11

      Wouldn’t help. Can’t test drive a car from a manufacturer that refuses to reveal itself.

  11. October 19th, 2010 at 3:42 pm - #
    Tonystew42

    Something tells me crack was involved in the making of this…

  12. October 19th, 2010 at 3:35 pm - #
    ken_b

    Yo Sigma, all good man. I would assume that you couldn’t completely damage this car, I’m sure they have implemented the same rules for damage for other manufacturers. Such the exterior damage but the car will always run. Perhaps also the relationship with Red Bull as the sponsor would also merit restrictions in allowing complete damage of this model. All in all, I’m in the camp of being bitter of not having a release date.

    • October 19th, 2010 at 5:47 pm - #
      Sigmaviper11

      Ya. I’m getting impatient but I’m trying to do my best. Honestly though, I would’ve prefered to have more features given out rather than the beast, but I suppose it creates enough controversy to keep people busy. Honestly though, could they get on it with announcing a new release date! JFC!!!!

  13. October 19th, 2010 at 3:09 pm - #
    Sigmaviper11

    So, if this is a completely original design, and for that matter for Polyphony’s other completely original designs, will the damage be more extensive? I mean its thier own cars. They don’t have licensing restrcitions preventing them form completely destroying their own machines. So is there a chance that the X1, PDFGT, and possibly the F/ cars from GT3 should they all be featured. Would they have the most extensive damage of all cars in the game?

  14. October 19th, 2010 at 3:09 pm - #
    ken_b

    car is awesome, I think the hating is derived from the let down of the games delay. Which reminds me….sigh, sure would be sweet to have a believable release date.

    • October 19th, 2010 at 3:11 pm - #
      Sigmaviper11

      Its not so much about whining as much as many of us believe that the specs givin are for a circuit derived setup, and that if you adjust the car for speed, it will go significantly faster. Besides, it makes for interesting physics conersations.

    • October 19th, 2010 at 3:11 pm - #
      Sigmaviper11

      Sorry, that was meant for Gt3luke, my bad ken_b.

  15. October 19th, 2010 at 2:55 pm - #
    Gt3luke

    Why can’t we all be happy with this car.
    Adrian fckng Newey has designed this car for us. So that we can race with it.
    I’m glad that they made this car and I would love to drive it. Let’s face it. Adrian Newey has a lot more knowledge of making a sportcar then the guys here. So stop whining how this car can be even faster and just enjoy it.

    • October 20th, 2010 at 12:47 am - #
      Bernd

      You’re right, Adrian had a reason to design it that way, or does anyone here think he’d have a problem to design a 500mph-car??

  16. October 19th, 2010 at 2:27 pm - #
    gast1976

    release date !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  17. October 19th, 2010 at 2:00 pm - #
    Paulpg87

    i think they could get more extreme with kers, f duct, moveable wings, no lights etc etc.

  18. October 19th, 2010 at 12:48 pm - #
    djs

    So I guess this is the ultimate prize in GT5!
    Or there will be more surprises…?

    • October 19th, 2010 at 3:58 pm - #
      chump

      No. this is the only surprize.. :/

    • October 20th, 2010 at 12:43 am - #
      Bernd

      How can you know? Think of the Nike-car or the Ford Model T in GT4. I’m sure, there’s more to come

  19. October 19th, 2010 at 12:34 pm - #
    yakapo

    good thing PD isn’t wasting time finishing the game.

  20. October 19th, 2010 at 12:27 pm - #
    RADracing

    So I’m thinking not all the power is transmitted too the wheels but from the trust of the turbine that makes it possible to accelarate that fast. I’d hate to be behind that car on the starting grid since it will just blow my car backwards with all the trust exaust of the turbine engine. hehe!

    • October 19th, 2010 at 12:28 pm - #
      NASCARFAN160

      Who knows? Maybe it’s a *dun dun dun* hybrid…