In 2019 Suzuki started a project to create a virtual concept car called Suzuki Vision Gran Turismo, in response to a proposal by Antonio Nozza, an Italian designer from Suzuki’s European design team. By participating in the popular driving simulation game, Gran Turismo 7, the project presented an opportunity to showcase Suzuki’s expertise in both motorcycles and automobiles. In Gran Turismo, players can enjoy the experience of driving virtual reproductions of real-world automobiles, and also digital concept cars, Vision Gran Turismo, designed by automakers from around the world. Participants in the project were interviewed about what was going on behind the scenes for three years while they were creating the Suzuki Vision Gran Turismo models unveiled in May and June 2022. The first of the two interviews starts with the designers.

(Antonio) The concept was really clear. Using the Gran Turismo platform we wanted to show, especially to young players, that Suzuki is thinking about them and cares about their future. Therefore, it had to be a sports car that combines our two souls: the motorcycle and the automobile, which has this pure feeling of freedom by being roofless, and lets you feel all the passion by its sporty and astonishing proportions.

(Yasukazu) This work was different from the way we work on mass-produced cars, but it had similarities with the way we develop concept cars. Although the Gran Turismo is a video game, it is a simulator software that lets players experience driving just like reality, allowing the player to see all the details of the interior and exterior of the car in 4K resolution. This means the amount of work involved was pretty much like that of creating the whole interior and exterior of a real concept car.

(Kimitoshi) The difficulty of this kind of project, where designing has no restrictions or requirements, is how to provide a logical purpose to it. The Suzuki Vision Gran Turismo project was much more than just a designer’s fantasy. I had to interpret how the designer’s ideas and passion best fit with Suzuki’s brand story, and also show why it is necessary to create such a virtual super sports car model even in the present circumstances.

(Antonio) What we wanted to achieve was clear: at first glance the car had to be sensual, extreme in proportions and create a desire to touch it. But with deeper observation, one should see its technical refinements and understand that it is also aerodynamically efficient.

(Masaya) We saw choosing the colours as a chance to show what Suzuki’s colours are like to the world. So, we paid close attention to the colours, the colour schemes, and the textures so we could make people feel the Suzuki brand. That is why the standard version of the Suzuki Vision Gran Turismo has the same body colours as the Swift Sport, the model that represents the sports image of Suzuki automobiles.

Standard version and the Swift Sport

For the Suzuki Vision Gran Turismo Gr.3 version^*, we used blue, red, yellow and black, taken from the Suzuki’s motorcycle models. My intention was that for those who know the Suzuki brand, these colours will be familiar while for others, this would be the opportunity to get to know our brand colours.

Gr.3 version and respective motorcycle racing and the ultimate sport motorcycle models

(Antonio) The frame that encompasses the driver recalls the chassis of a motorcycle and the steering wheel is the extremisation of a motorcycle handlebar in an automotive way. In addition, the Suzuki Vision Gran Turismo meter is based on the GSX-RR (a Grand Prix motorcycle racing machine) and GSX-R1000R supersport motorcycle, but the information displayed, such as speed and gear, is minimised. This is because Suzuki Vision Gran Turismo is a car designed only for racing, and these are the minimum information necessary for sports driving.

(Yasukazu) 20 years have already passed since I designed the GSX-R/4. At that time, “Demonstrating sportiness of Suzuki sport motorcycles into Suzuki automobiles” was my theme and it was actually the interpretation I used when designing the Swift Sport. I believe this is one of Suzuki’s enduring themes and this thought is consistent with the Suzuki Vision Gran Turismo concept.

Also, since it was designed by Antonio, and he is just the same young age as I was when I designed the GSX-R/4, I feel there is now definitely a new vitality and an evolution both in elements of the design and in performance. So, I especially made an effort to make this evolution in design apparent as I was overseeing the design process.

(Antonio) Yasukazu played an important role. Besides the inspiration he brought as a designer, he also guided me through the most delicate phases of the project. He refined the design while keeping the initial idea and the architecture of the original proposal. We did not have the opportunity to work side by side due to Covid-19, but I certainly learned how to go deeper into the design aspects from him. It was nice because although I was the designer, I, like all the Gran Turismo players, found myself discovering parts of the car that I had not yet had the opportunity to see. I could recognise that the Suzuki Vision Gran Turismo got enhanced technical power and more realism thanks to Yasukazu’s knowledge and experience.

(Antonio) Obviously, the first thing I thought was "Che Figata", a typically Italian expression of amazement. That engine and that sound completed and emphasised the sporty soul of the Suzuki Vision Gran Turismo.

Air intakes behind the front wheels which is an homage of the Cappuccino.

(Masaya) The Suzuki Vision Gran Turismo has become a really fascinating model, so I’d like to encourage people who have never played Gran Turismo to take a look, too. In addition to Suzuki Vision Gran Turismo, the Swift Sport KATANA Edition is available as the Swift Sport Gr.4.* in Gran Turismo 7. This car performs as one of the top of its class among FF cars so please also try it out.

(Antonio) To all the people who love the Suzuki brand and to the fans of Gran Turismo, I just want to say “Have fun driving the Suzuki Vision Gran Turismo because inside this car there is all our passion, the same that we put into the projects and cars that will be at your side in the future”.

■ Supplement

• * Gr.3 : A race car with major modifications such as a wider body and improved aerodynamics. Equivalent to FIA GT3 class.
• * Gr.4 : A race car with basic modifications such as enhanced safety equipment and weight reduction. Equivalent to FIA GT4 class.

Go to “Interview Part 2 : Suzuki Engineers” → Suzuki Vision Gran Turismo Comes Alive on Virtual World Circuits