Drivers who fancy themselves as capable of handling the rigours of Formula 1 racing now have the chance to put that theory to the test.
The former F1 racing star and Indy 500 champion, Emerson Fittipaldi, today unveiled his dream track car, designed to fulfil his long-held ambition of bringing the thrill of F1 racing to the public. The much-anticipated Fittipaldi EF7 Vision Gran Turismo by Pininfarina made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show.
And if your racing mettle doesnot quite elevate itself to the real thing, a PlayStation video game has also been unveiled featuring the hypercar.
The real machine’s ultra-light, all carbon fibre supercar fuses the vision of Fittipaldi, the world famous Italian design company Pininfarina and the race-bred German engineering firm HWA AG.
“I have tried for years to explain to others what it truly feels like to be behind the steering wheel of a championship racecar,” said Fittipaldi.
“There is adrenaline and elation all rolled into an awe-inspiring inner fulfillment that leaves you craving for more. This is what our dream team created in the EF7 Vision Gran Turismo by Pininfarina,” he said of the first car to be released under the Fittipaldi Motors marque.
The supercar’s design theme – that of a shark – was inspired by Fittipaldi anbd brought to life by Pininfarina.
“The EF7 is an exciting car that embodies Pininfarina’s DNA in terms of style and innovation, Emerson’s championship race experience and HWA AG’s flawless engineering skills. Our collective team was able to turn a dream into a driving machine,” said the Pininfarina chairman Paolo Pininfarina.
Hans Werner Aufrecht, the founder and chairman of HWA AG, added: “In realising the dream of a champion, the result is a car that combines racing technology and breathtaking design with drivability and the highest safety requirements.”
The EF7 will have a limited production with every owner having the opportunity of personal coaching by Fittipaldi himself and move up a driver-training ladder designed by the racing champion. In addition, owners will be able to join the Fittipaldi Racing Club which will provide exclusive VIP high-performance driving and racing experiences at some of the world’s premier racing circuits, led by Fittipaldi and other racing professionals.
Meanwhile, supercar fans and video game enthusiasts will have the opportunity to experience the EF7 in the virtual world where it will be exclusively available in the upcoming PlayStation4 videogame, Gran Turismo Sport.
“In 2017, we are on a new horizon where real world and virtual world motorsports are merging and this is truly remarkable,” said Fittipaldi. “Our partners, Gran Turismo, are the leaders in virtual racing field worldwide and we are truly excited to be working with them.
“It has been three years since I started this journey and today, 7th March 2017 … I present to you the Fittipaldi EF7 Vision Turismo by Pininfarina.”
chnelson@thenational.ae
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