Kiwi supercar fans get to savour the result of a rare virtual racer-to-real car design process when the striking GT by Citroën arrives at this year’s CRC Speedshow.

The white GT by Citroën show-car, first displayed at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, comes to New Zealand specifically for July’s CRC Speedshow in Auckland and a selection of dealership activities with Citroën’s newly-appointed local distributor Sime Darby Automobiles NZ Ltd.

The car is the result of a partnership between Citroën and Polyphony, designer of the driving simulation game Gran Turismo 5 on Playstation3.

CRC Speedshow’s director Ross Prevette says: “We’re incredibly excited to get a concept car of this calibre, a real life version of a vehicle first conceived for a digital world.

“The GT by Citroën exemplifies the sort of unique, cutting edge automobiles we seek to feature at each year’s CRC Speedshow.”

Simon Rose, Citroën division manager for Sime Darby, adds: “Since the February appointment of Sime Darby Automobiles as the new Citroën importer, Ross from Speedshow and I have talked about how we could bring this marvel of design and innovative technology to our shores. To have now confirmed the Citroën GT’s availability and arranged its shipping to New Zealand, we’re delighted that we’ll have the opportunity show New Zealand car fans this irreplaceable concept vehicle.”

The GT by Citroën show-car is nearly five metres long, over two metres wide and just over one metre in height. It features gullwing doors and a rear end made exaggeratedly long to make the concept car even faster visually. Wide air intakes enhance the front end clear-cut horizontal headlamps feature penetrating blue LED lights. Inside, the cabin is upholstered in black leather with subtle touches of rare materials such as copper and steel.

Speaking at the 2008 unveiling of the concept car, Kazanori Yamauchi, creator of Gran Turismo and president of Polyphony Digital Inc, said: “GT by Citroën shows how the worlds of virtual and real-life motoring can join together to create a truly innovative partnership. We were delighted that Citroen approached us and gave us the opportunity to combine our creative strengths to build this very special concept car.  To see the car take shape in game and then for real has been a truly unique experience as our work normally stays in the digital world.”

The 2013 edition of CRC Speedshow, running 20 and 21 July at the ASB Showgrounds in Auckland, also features the first-ever Castrol EDGE / Teng Tools Custom and Classic Show with more than 50 of New Zealand’s finest customised cars, pickups and motorcycles. A New Zealand Legends of Speed display is being created to celebrate the achievements of 18 Kiwi stars such as Bruce McLaren, Scott Dixon and Graeme Crosby and the 50th anniversaries of Lamborghini and the Porsche 911 will also see very special displays of these supercars created for local fans to enjoy.

News and information about the 2013 CRC Speedshow are regularly updated on the event website, www.speedshow.co.nz, or follow CRC Speedshow on Twitter (https://twitter.com/Speedshow), Facebook (www.Facebook.com/speedshownz) and Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/speedshow/).