Chevrolet's futuristic Chaparral 2X Vision Gran Turismo concept revealed

Paying tribute to the 'innovative race cars' that Chevrolet and Chaparral Racing developed more than 45 years ago, the American car manufacturer unveiled the Chaparral 2X Vision Gran Turismo concept at the on-going LA Auto Show.

The concept is a futuristic racer which comes equipped with technology even the Chaparral creator- Jim Hall couldn't have imagined, including laser propulsion. Yes, lasers! According to Chevrolet, the mid-mounted propulsion system emits light pulses that are focused in a shroud, creating shock waves that generate thrust to move the car. 

“This concept is an audacious and ambitious vision – and one that demonstrates to a new audience how Chevrolet’s engineering and design teams challenge norms and explore the technologies of tomorrow,” said Clay Dean, Executive Director of Advanced Design. “It also an ode to a unique partnership that pioneered ground- breaking technologies that are used today on the track and the street.”

The Chaparral 2X has a composite chassis and an extremely aerodynamic body that requires the driver to lay face down with their arms and legs splayed toward the wheels. The insect-like bodywork also helps extract maximum grip from relatively small 17-inch front wheels and tires. The laser is powered by lithium-ion batteries and an air-powered generator which help the car to produce 900bhp. The company said that all this power helps Chaparral 2X to sprint 0-100 kmph in just 1.5 seconds, goes up to a top whack of 384 kmph.

Other manufacturers too have developed concept race cars for the Vision Gran Turismo project, but Chevrolet is one of the few to transfer it from the digital world to a physical concept vehicle, which is on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show through November 30.