GT SPORT: RX-VISION goes racing

Mazda is the first and only carmaker in the world to have vehicles powered by the unique rotary engine that has been used in numerous models such as the Cosmo, the RX-7, and the RX-8. Even though they've stopped making one, the hope of a rotary revival lives on.



As the motoring world continues to celebrate Mazda's centennial anniversary by all ways and means, the folks from Gran Turismo made their centennial birthday present to the Hiroshima-based carmaker and it's none other than the racing version of the concept car that should have been made as a promise for speedo boys everywhere.



At first glance, it looks like the RX-VISION CONCEPT first seen at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show but look closely that this concept car's been muscled up for track duty. This is the RX-VISION GT3 CONCEPT, A centennial birthday present Gran Turismo made to Mazda.



Before taking it for a spin, let's take a close look about this car. The RX-VISION CONCEPT made a world premiere at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show and this future sportscar incorporates the full potential of the company's Kodo -Soul in Motion- design philosophy and the game-changing SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY that has been around for almost a decade since the third-generation Demio facelift in the summer of 2011. The RX-VISION features next-generation SKYACTIV-R rotary engine that delivers the ideal blend of performance and efficiency while letting the legendary rotary engine sound loose. It should have been one of the most promising ideas Mazda ever made but even though they have no plans to make it into production, they are still working hard on the return of the rotary engine by any ways and means.

The GT3 CONCEPT turns the already vivid RX-VISION CONCEPT into a racing machine that complies to the game's Group 3 regulations. The track width's enlarged, wheel arch width increased, aerodynamics and downforce beefed up for track duty, lighter weight, better center of gravity, improved SKYACTIV-R rotary engine, and has near-perfect weight distribution. Simple as that.



The main idea about putting the RX-VISION to race duty is because Mazda wanted to use the popularity of e-sports to expand their presence and that's why they teamed up with Gran Turismo SPORT to bring this dream machine to virtual life and those who signed up for Mazda in-game will have the chance to drive the RX-VISION GT3 CONCEPT at the FIA-certified Gran Turismo Championship.

Anyway, enough about that because let's talk about how it feels like driving this car and with that, I went to Suzuka Circuit to explain what I'm on about.





Because of its aerodynamics, low center of gravity, and the near-perfect weight distribution, the RX-VISION GT3 CONCEPT is the perfect definition of what a Group 3-class race car should feel like. It clings through the corners, it almost behaves like a proper race car, and overall, it's a real blast to drive but despite its top-notch dynamics that can upset even the most sophisticated Gr.3 machines in the roster, it can get carried away if it goes too much but who cares?

Having my first dibs on this car, it's time to take this one for a quick lap round Suzuka just to see how much of a racecar this RX-VISION GT3 CONCEPT is.

After a quick lap round Suzuka, I managed to post a 2:08.414 lap time, which is by my own terms, better than my little experiment with the Toyota GR Supra Racing Concept! That's amazing!



The RX-VISION GT3 CONCEPT really is one heck of a centennial anniversary present for Mazda and looks like they have made a decent Gr.3 competitor that can take on the best. Let's wish this rotary-powered racecar the best of luck as it prepares to take on the FIA GTC at the hands of players who have signed up for Mazda.

Now that I had fun with this machine, that leaves me a big question; is the RX-VISION GT3 CONCEPT the best Mazda ever made in my little list of top 100 Mazdas in history? Stay tuned!