My GT7 Log: Know Your Legends - The Mazda RX500

Let's get to know about the legendary cars that are hard to get in Gran Turismo 7's Legend Cars not only because of their extreme rarity that appears once in a blue moon but also their outrageous price tag that takes almost forever to save one. Today, let's get to know about the Mazda RX500, a concept car made in honor of Mazda's golden anniversary.

Built to commemorate Mazda's 50th anniversary, this concept car, displayed at the 1970 Tokyo Motor Show, features a rotary engine that produces 247HP of power as well as a bullet-shaped body for aerodynamics. Known trivia is that this concept first introduced the upswing doors before the Lamborghini Countach, making this concept car the originator of scissor doors.

The Mazda RX500 will lap through the Goodwood Motor Circuit but how fast will it go? Let's roll the tape.

It did it in 1:36.631. For a forgotten rotary concept car from the company that brought us rotary-powered engines, it's surprisingly impressive.

What other hard-to-get legendary cars should I drive next? Stay tuned for more.

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!

GT SPORT: Supra Comes Back!

The Toyota Supra is unmistakingly the king of Toyota sports cars since the Celica XX broke out in the late 70's and until the turn of the 21st century, the legend that carries within the Supra will never be forgotten. It's no wonder most of the speedo boys worshipped this car ever since just like how they did to the GT-R from Nissan.





At long last, after almost two decades of disappearance, news broke out that Toyota will finally revive the legendary Supra sportscar in partnership with BMW and at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, their planned revival presented us with this...



Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the Toyota GR Supra Racing Concept.



So, the Supra comes back from the dead like a phoenix rising from the ashes. How did it get there from the FT-1 to the planned revival Toyota's working on? Of course, the Toyota FT-1 concept we saw years ago was just a stepping stone for Toyota to revive the legendary Supra sportscar for the next generation of drivers itching to drive something more powerful than the less powerful but accessible and popular 86. For them, some Toyota enthusiasts are ready to graduate from their 86 driving days to the next Supra, that's for sure.

Although this is made in collaboration with BMW because it will be based on the next Z4 roadster, the GR Supra is made by Toyota Gazoo Racing, one of Toyota's motorsports division that also produces GR-tuned versions of everyday vehicles, With the styling carried out from the FT-1 concept, the GR Supra Racing Concept features a lightweight high-strength carbon fiber materials and because this is a race ready version of the next Supra, most of the race car stuff including the large blister fenders and rear wing, among many others, are all here just to give fans what would the future Supra be when taken to the world's demanding race tracks like the Nurburgring, Le Mans, Suzuka, and so on.



Representing the past and the future for the grand revival of "the sports of Toyota", the GR Supra Racing Concept is all about progress that doesn't demand sacrifice and having showcased the upmost potential of the Supra revival project would be, let's take it somewhere to see how much of a Toyota this is and for that, I went to Suzuka.



The first time I get into the groove with the GR Supra Racing Concept, I find that its dynamics can be somewhat intimidating at first but the more I drive with this thing, the more I'm starting to admire the way this future Supra possess and having getting to know more about the Supra, I've devised a little demonstration.



I'm going to see if the GR Supra Racing Concept has changed a lot from the FT-1 Concept a few years ago and since the GR Supra's a Group 3 racer, the FT-1 concept I'm looking for is its Group 3 equivalent and there it is. With the prime specimens set, these future Supras are going for one quick lap round Suzuka to see which one is the alpha. Roll the tape.



After these future Supras taking a lap round Suzuka, here are the results;

GR Supra - 2:11.191
FT1 VGT Gr.3 - 2:12.375

Amazingly though, despite their behavioral differences when handling round corners, looks like this concept's evolved from the one that is wildly styled but civilized in handling into the exact opposite but almost a second quicker. That is a just win for the much evolved Supra concept in racing overalls but that was very impressive.



In today's times, as racing games evolved, looks like the need to feature Toyotas have decreased to almost never, meaning you will find little games that featured the best of Toyota. A game like GT SPORT has became a safe haven for Toyotas new and old and this GR Supra Racing Concept will soon start an uprising to ensure that all Toyotas will have their equal share.



By the time Toyota revived the Supra, those speedo boys who have ten reasons why they hate sportscars from Europe are getting what they've wished for because for them, there is no substitute for a Toyota. But in the meantime, let's take into consideration and give praise to the GR Supra Racing Concept on GT SPORT, a racing machine that signals the revival of "the sports of Toyota" and a catalyst for Toyota's uprising just to show the world what they're capable of. It may be a long and tough battle but such fanbase will give Toyota a much needed boost it truly needs and I wish them the best of luck in reviving the Supra.

FH3 Blizzard Mountain: Attack on Titan Warrior

No, there are no titans attacking Blizzard Mountain as they knew it but there is one attacking this frozen wonderland and it's basically American. Yes, there is Nissan on it but don't be fooled because this is the Titan Warrior Concept, a specially modified Titan XD that conceptualizes its tough off-road capability and one of the stars of FH3's Blizzard Mountain.

Back at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, Nissan launched the full model change of their full-sized pickup truck sold only to the North American market, the all new Titan XD. A year has passed since its debut and Nissan showcased a tougher take on their latest-generation model, called the Titan Warrior Concept.

Created by the Nissan Design America team, the Titan Warrior Concept pushes the Titan XD to uncharted heights courtesy of its Project Titan crowd-sourced customization that swnt two US military veterans representing Wounded Warrior Project on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in Alaska. It pays tribute to Nissan's heritage of off-road racing and adventuring that dates back to its Baja days to the Paris-Dakar Rally treks.

Just like the Titan XD it was based upon, it's still powered by the same Cummins 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel engine. but it's been given some extensive suspension upgrades and its signature durability as expected on the Titan XD.

Sure, this maybe a concept truck made by the red-blooded Americans as well as retired veterans who served for the free world but it feels like you're driving a normal Titan XD but with some offroad perks that will help you survive the attack on Blizzard Mountain, not even the so-called climate change can drown you like waterboarding.

Given the chance, I am fully prepared to survive the attack on Blizzard Mountain with the attack on Titan Warrior Concept, no matter the odds. Titans, GO!

So, I may have survived the attack on Blizzard Mountain but feels like I'm not ready to survive the attack on the Titan Warrior Concept, even though underneath is concept looks is basically a normal Titan XD, sold only for the Americans with their love for all things fast food, Republicans, and cars like this. So, how about those Republicans? Wait, what did I just said? Never mind but if you are prepared to survive the attack on Titan Warrior, then GO! Titans GO!

Forza Motorsport 6: The Infiniti Q60 Concept

Through the coming months in Forza Motorsport 6, there will be content updates that will address some minor bug issues as well as some other improvements that will keep the game running smooth. Aside from the content updates, there will be some surprises in store and this is the first car players got since its first content update, the Infiniti Q60 Concept car.



Premiered at the 2015 North American International Auto Show, the Q60 Concept previews Nissan's luxury brand's two-door four-seater coupe that is set to replace the V36-spec G37 Coupe (known in Japan as the Nissan Skyline Coupe) in the foreseeable future.

Combining striking elegance from its signature design that adorned most Infinitis since the Q50 (Skyline V37) saloon as well as Infiniti's inspired performance courtesy of its next-generation 3.0L V6 twin-turbo engine generating 400HP of power as well as Direct Adaptive Steering that gives full control of the car's tire angle and steering inputs, the Q60 is a vision of a sports coupe that combines the best qualities that makes a sports coupe stand about the rest.



So, what can I say about driving Infiniti's radical concept coupe? Well, for starters, it's not bad when you take it on a track with some normal conditions but when things get wet, you need to be pretty precise because its Direct Adaptive Steering might experience a few kinks when it gets into something wet. Although the sound of its V6 twin turbo engine is what you called artificial, it has enough go juice to keep on going until you hit the brakes. Even when I find it problematic to handle on a wet lap, it;s Direct Adaptive Steering feels very communicative every time I turn this car to the nearest corner. Same thing as experience with the Q50 from a distant past but you get the idea.

Let's give this one a go round the Top Gear Test Track, I presume?



After a wet lap round the Top Gear Track, the Q60 Concept did it in 1:33.099, which isn't so bad for a concept car that will preview the next Skyline Coupe in the foreseeable future.

Gran Turismo 6: Goodwood 2015 and SRT Tomahawk

Coinciding with this year's event, the Goodwood Hill Climb on Gran Turismo 6 has been updated for 2015 and to match this year's event, a sculpture featuring the Mazda 787B and the LM55 Vision Gran Turismo has been featured. With this year's Goodwood FoS kicked off for the weekend, looks like this will be the ideal place to showcase some of the cars appeared from numerous updates but first, let's bring our very own VIP guests...



Well, this is one of them. This is the latest addition to the Vision Gran Turismo lineup; the SRT Tomahawk.

The Tomahawk Vision Gran Turismo is the two-decade vision of Chrysler's Street and Racing Technology division to deliver performance unlike any other. It's a single-seat MR-AWD (midship-engined all-wheel drive) created on a purpose-built composite chassis and designed around an aggressive powertrain. It's a hybrid racing machine armed with a 6.98L V10 engine and two Pneumatic Power Units; one is a Variable-Fin Quad-Stage in the front and a similar one connected to the V10 engine. This is the most powerful of the Vision GT cars because of its over-thousand HP of power output and that's not the end of the story because the Tomahawk comes with three versions;



This is the S model which is the entry-level version and considered as a beginner-level machine suitable for those who want to get to know more about the SRT Tomahawk in the first place before getting ready for more advanced versions like the GTS-R and the X versions. Despite being an entry-level model, it still has insane power-to-weight ratio capable enough to outpace even the feistiest of the racing machines.



Next is the GTS-R model, which is a track-focused version of the Tomahawk with increased power output, reduced weight, and increased handling grip. Because of such improvements, the driver needs to wear a special G-suit, provided as a gift after the update, to counteract the physiological effects of extreme lateral g-forces. The GTS-R's aerodynamics are enhanced with a dual-element version of the active rear wing and to avoid any high pressure buildup in the wheel wells, each of the four fenders in the car is vented.



Lastly and notably the most extreme of all the Vision GT cars, is the Tomahawk X. With over 2,000HP of power output and the cornering force of a fighter jet, this is the ultimate vehicle for the chosen elite because its performance completely shattered the laws of physics as well as the human reflexes.

The biggest party piece of the X is the low-drag mode and when you hold down the R1 button, all of the X's panels are retracted and seal against the body. This is handy when you're going on the straights and catch them by surprise.

With the three Tomahawks introduced, I sent them to the Goodwood FoS to see which one is the quickest but a word of warning for these three is because of such inhuman performance, drivers need some precise skills and talents to master the Tomahawk trio. Whichever Tomahawk you're driving, you need to be very careful about handling with Vision GT's most powerful machines because there might be some run-offs and run-offs can be very messy and painful if you're not careful. Anyway, not time for advice-giving because I managed to set these three some lap times round the Goodwood FoS and here are the results;

Tomahawk S - 0:44.304
Tomahawk GTS-R - 0:36.074
Tomahawk X - 0:32.117

Based on these results, it's no wonder why these three are like stages of manhood. You started off as a boy, then you work your way up to become a real man. Useful bit of science there but this is no Problem Solving here, this is the appliance of science with the SRT Tomahawk. You start mastering the essentials with the S and work your way up to master the extremely difficult but highly amusing X.

Anyway, with the Tomahawk trio done their thing, it's time for the other cars to let loose and enjoy Goodwood like they never done before!



At the end of the day, here are the lap times they've posted at my very own GT6 Goodwood Festival of Speed;

TS030 - 0:45.140
Concept 2020 - 0:48.300
DP-100 - 0:46.029
GT-R Nismo - 0:51.074
FT-1 VGT - 0:46.065
M4 M Performance - 0:54.625
VIZIV GT - 0:49.924
Chaparral 2X - 0:38.354
Infiniti Concept - 0:50.781
LM55 - 0:40.356
Clubman VGT - 0:49.157
LF-LC GT - 0:45.510
Alpine VGT - 0:47.464
Alpine VGT Race - 0:46.954
GTI Supersport - 0:45.604
Z11SN - 0:47.313
Peugeot VGT - 0:43.112
GT-R LM NISMO - 0:45.148

You know what, these lap times didn't matter here. What matters most in Goodwood is the pride of the cars themselves and it's a great way to represent a carmaker to a much greater audience for the greater good. That's why the Festival of Speed is made; not just for setting lap times but also impressing the crowd with its own visuals, vocals, and dances.