Virtual Velocity- Sometimes, the most incredible ideas don’t begin in a lab or on a design sketch, but in a video game. That’s exactly how the GT by Citroën came to life—a concept car that blurred the line between the virtual and real world, and left a lasting mark in both. At a time when racing simulations were pushing boundaries, a bold collaboration was born between Citroën and Polyphony Digital Inc., the mastermind behind Gran Turismo 5 for the PlayStation 3. What started as a digital fantasy evolved into one of the most ambitious concept cars ever imagined.
GT by Citroën concept car showcases flowing curves, bold angles, and a futuristic vision, capturing speed, elegance, and innovation in one form. (Picture from: BelowTheRadar)
The GT by Citroën was never meant to follow the rules. Sculpted with flowing curves, aggressive angles, and a futuristic vision, the car was crafted to embody speed, elegance, and innovation all at once. With dramatic air intakes at the front, a perfectly flat underbody, and a rear end highlighted by a mobile spoiler and air diffuser, the design wasn’t just for show—it was about aerodynamics and performance working in harmony. The car looked fast even when standing still.
GT by Citroën concept car features dramatic front air intakes and a perfectly flat underbody. (Picture from: BelowTheRadar)
Inside, the contrast was striking. While the outer shell gleamed in a light tone, the cabin plunged into darkness, wrapped in black leather with stylish touches of copper and steel. It wasn’t just luxury—it was attitude. The low-slung racing seats, deeply padded for maximum grip, whispered a silent promise of power and precision. Add to that the futuristic head-up display projected onto the windshield with bold red LEDs, and you’re no longer driving a car—you’re piloting a machine made for champions.
GT by Citroën concept car presents a striking contrast, with a light-toned exterior and a dark cabin wrapped in black leather with copper and steel accents. (Picture from: BelowTheRadar)
Though the concept was originally shown as a zero-emission vehicle in Gran Turismo, powered by four electric motors delivering a combined 789 horsepower, the real-world prototype came fitted with a roaring 646-horsepower V8 sourced from Ford. It was a dramatic change from the clean energy ideal of the game, but one that emphasized just how seriously Citroën took the performance aspect of the design. On the track, the car delivered surreal acceleration, pushing beyond 215 mph with effortless speed.
GT by Citroën concept car is powered by four electric motors delivering 789 horsepower in-game, while the real-world prototype uses a 646-horsepower V8 from Ford. (Picture from: BelowTheRadar)
In
2010, excitement soared when Citroën announced plans to build six of
these dream machines, each priced at a jaw-dropping $1.8 million. It was
to be a limited run, tailored for collectors and visionaries willing to
own a piece of the future. But the dream hit the brakes. Citroën eventually shelved the production plan, citing a strategic pivot toward
vehicles with broader commercial appeal. The GT by Citroën remained a
concept, a one-off masterpiece, and maybe that’s exactly how it was
meant to be.
Today, more than a decade since its debut, the GT by Citroën still sparks imagination. It's a vivid reminder of what can happen when creativity breaks free from convention—when carmakers and game designers decide to rewrite the rules together. Even though you’ll never see one rolling off a showroom floor, its legacy continues every time a gamer fires up Gran Turismo and takes it for a digital spin. Reality might’ve paused the production, but in the hearts of fans and the world of virtual racing, the GT by Citroën never stopped moving forward. *** [EKA [14072013] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CITROEN | CAR AND DRIVER | TREND HUNTER | BELOWTHERADAR ]
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Today, more than a decade since its debut, the GT by Citroën still sparks imagination. It's a vivid reminder of what can happen when creativity breaks free from convention—when carmakers and game designers decide to rewrite the rules together. Even though you’ll never see one rolling off a showroom floor, its legacy continues every time a gamer fires up Gran Turismo and takes it for a digital spin. Reality might’ve paused the production, but in the hearts of fans and the world of virtual racing, the GT by Citroën never stopped moving forward. *** [EKA [14072013] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CITROEN | CAR AND DRIVER | TREND HUNTER | BELOWTHERADAR ]
