Creating a show stopping concept car is surefire way to put a manufacturer on the front pages of magazines, but that whole operation is a costly venture these days. Many have embraced the world of virtual reality to deliver extreme concepts that people at home can actually interact with. Ford has created a virtually drivable racer that will soon be coming to a screen near you.
Chosen by the public on Twitter, the Ford P1 Concept is a futuristic racer penned by designer Arturo Arino. Gamers were given the opportunity to help design the car in regards to features such as drivetrain selection and cockpit layout.
The low-slung motorsport machine features a design that wouldn’t look out of place in the film Tron, with angular intakes cut into a pebble-like surface. Air is ducted through the car and around a cockpit the has been sunk very low into the chassis. An interesting feature is a tail that can effectively extend the overall length of the car during high speed runs for cleaner aerodynamics, but retract when not needed.
Designer Arturo Arino said: “Project P1 took me to the beginning of it all. The reason why I became a car designer in the first place was to design something never seen before and something that pushes the boundaries. This vehicle will be visually stunning, and while it will push the gamer to the limits of focus and reflexes, it will also be hugely rewarding to drive.”
Ford is growing its presence in the virtual world, taking a very hands-on approach to introducing new models to games like the Forza Motorsport series. The blue oval has also started attending gaming events such as Gamescom in America.
The P1 will be available to play at some point this year, however, Ford has yet to confirm which titles or consoles will grant access to this extreme machine.
Keyword: Ford’s new virtual racer revealed