Fittipaldi EF7 VGT Pininfarina '17

[Miao]

UPDATED

With a carbon monocoque, powerful V8, and standard six-point harnesses, the EF7 is ready to hit the circuit.

Former racer Emerson Fittipaldi finally pulled the sheets off the racing car that has been teased so many times. The EF7 Vision Gran Turismo is his idea of a serious carbon-fiber racing machine. It was styled by Italian design house Pininfarina and engineered by HWA AG, the AMG spin-off that builds German Touring Car Masters (DTM) racers.

The striking design features prominent aerodynamic elements all over, including a massive rear wing, huge air inlets in the hood, and enormous air-intake scoops behind either door. The entire car weighs just 1,000 kilograms (2,204 pounds) and was designed from the outset to offer the maximum in driver safety. The Fittipaldi team says there’s an integrated safety cell and roll-protection design, along with two seats with six-point harnesses. To save weight, the windows are made from polycarbonate rather than glass. There’s no rear-view mirror, with a camera system providing rearward visibility, and a digital racing display delivers relevant information to the driver.

The seats are fixed in place, and instead the driver and passenger adjust their seating position by using new pads that are fitted to the seats. The steering wheel and pedal box are adjustable for the driver, too.

Out back is a naturally aspirated 4.8-liter V8 engine, developed by HWA AG, that revs to 9,000 rpm, producing 600 horsepower (447 kilowatts) and 376 pound-feet (510 Newton-meters) of torque. The six-speed sequential transaxle is a stressed member in the chassis, a design choice that Fittipaldi helps keep the vehicle weight low. A mechanical limited-slip differential directs power to the ground. The team says the car also has “racing” braking and suspension components, with a fully independent suspension featuring adjustable anti-roll bars.

So where, then, should someone drive this track car? Well, every buyer of the EF7 Vision Gran Turismo will not only get to customize their vehicle to their every desire, but also will receive in-person, on-track instruction from Emerson Fittipaldi. As to his bona fides, note that he won 14 Formula 1 Grand Prix and two Indy 500s. The “Fittipaldi Racing Club” will offer a ladder system by which drivers can graduate to higher levels of racing, plus exclusive events at tracks around the world.

That’s not the only way to get behind the wheel, though. The Vision Gran Turismo suffix to this car’s name denotes the fact that it will also appeal in the virtual world, in this case the upcoming PlayStation 4 video game “Gran Turismo Sport.” Digital racers will be able to drive a recreation of the EF7 that has “exactly the same characteristics as the real track car.”

[Miao]

Two-time Formula 1 world champion and Indianapolis 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi is to create an all-new supercar in partnership with two of the biggest names in automotive design and engineering.

Under the brand Fittipaldi Motors, cars will be developed in conjunction with legendary Italian design house Pininfarina and renowned German engineering group HWA.

The first example, the Fittipaldi EF7 Vision by Pininfarina, will be presented on March 7 at the Geneva International Motor Show. This teaser photo is the first image to be released of the machine.

A press statement said that the car was the result of Fittipaldi – the 1972 and '74 F1 champion – “applying all his track knowledge on creating a new experience that will elevate the driving ability of all super car enthusiasts from around the world”.

The car will also be available to drive virtually in the Gran Turismo video game franchise on the Sony PlayStation.

Further details will be revealed in the next days on.

While some teasers leave us more or less intrigued than others, we have to admit that the announcement of the Fittipaldi EF7 Vision Gran Turismo concept has captivated our attention.

This project is spearheaded by the talented hands of Emerson Fittipaldi, with engineering work carried out by Mercedes racing specialist HWA and the design by Pininfarina.

Now, the carrozzeria has given us not only another look at the forthcoming supercar concept, but some more salient details as well. For starters, the EF7 is being built around a carbon-fiber monocoque – just like an F1 car – with carbon bodywork as well.

The lightweight construction is earmarked to keep the weight down to around 1,000 kilograms (or 2,200 lbs) – which would make it significantly lighter than, say, a LaFerrari, which tips the scales at 1,255 kg dry (or 1,585 kg with fluids).

Power will be provided naturally by an atmospheric V8 engine good for over 600 horsepower. Pininfarina says both the engine and gearbox will be entirely unique to Fittipaldi, though we wouldn't be surprised (given HWA's ties) if it were at least based in part on a Mercedes block – which seems to be working out well for the Aston Martin DB11 and Pagani Huayra.

“What was important to me in creating the EF7 is that the car not only provides pure passion and adrenaline but will also be forgiving and safe for drivers of all skill levels,” said Fittipaldi. “Owner-drivers can expect reliability, lower maintenance cost and minimal mechanic and tech teams - which means more time and elation on the track.”

In other words, while the vehicle we'll be seeing in Geneva will be a concept, it will lead to a (limited) production version as well. And from the teaser images we've seen so far, it looks like it'll be quite the extreme piece of performance machinery as well. We would expect no less, after all, from one of the most accomplished racing drivers ever to come out of Brazil.

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