A Project by a Legendary Driver

One of Italy's foremost car design houses,Pininfarinaunveiled the "Fittipaldi EF7 Vision Gran Turismo" (hereafter EF7) at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2017.

The staff roll for this ultra-exclusive, track-only supercar includes a host of renowned brands.

First, let's consider the man who conceived the project: Emerson Fittipaldi. Born in Brazil in 1946, he became the youngest F1 World Champion at age 25 with Lotus in 1972, followed by another championship with McLaren in 1974.

He later moved to the CART series in the United States, where he won championships in 1989 and 1993. He is the only driver to have won championships in both F1 and CART twice.

The inspiration for the racing legend to establish his own manufacturer, "Fittipaldi Motors," stemmed from the idea that "GT cars are too heavy, while Formula cars are too light and prone to driver error."

With these points in mind, he aimed for the best in "quality, safety, and form" for the gentleman driver.

Furthermore, after test-driving numerous world-class GT cars over the past five years, he sought something "more romantic" than their exceptional comfort and performance.

As a result, Fittipaldi entrusted the engineering to HWA, based in Stuttgart, Germany. This is a racing car constructor known for supplying Mercedes-Benz DTM machines.

The Market is Worldwide

Initially planned with a front-engine layout, the concept was later changed to a mid-engine configuration. The answer Fittipaldi and HWA arrived at was a carbon monocoque that functions as a safety cell meeting FIA regulations.

The approximately 600 bhp, 4.8-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine and the sequential six-speed integrated gearbox, which will see the light of day in the future, were also developed by HWA.

Fittipaldi, who has always held a strong passion for Italian design, unhesitatingly chose Pininfarina, renowned for crafting numerous super sports cars including Ferraris, as his sports car design house.

Based on Fittipaldi's vision, a design inspired by "sharks" was completed. While exotic, he notes that "for the gentleman driver, we also took great care to ensure forward visibility," demonstrating a concern for safety, much like with the aforementioned carbon monocoque.

Fittipaldi is 71 years old this year. When asked by the author where he plans to cultivate customers, he responded firmly and immediately that while his company is based in Dubai, the market is "worldwide!"

The Fusion of Real and Virtual Racing

The current design is only suitable for track use. However, according to Luca Borgogno, Pininfarina's chief design studio, it would be possible to make it road-legal with modifications such as changes to the lighting. The extent of these modifications would depend on the regulations of the destination country.

Another big name alongside Emerson Fittipaldi, HWA, and Pininfarina is the game "Gran Turismo," as can be inferred from the official car name. The EF7 will soon be controllable virtually in the upcoming release, "Gran Turismo SPORT."

Fittipaldi remarked, "The fusion of real and virtual racing is very impressive," adding, "Working with Gran Turismo, a leader in the virtual domain, is extremely stimulating."

Meanwhile, lucky owners of the "real" EF7 will receive the added benefit of private driving lessons from Fittipaldi himself.

The press release also includes the phrase: "Owning this car means sharing a piece of history."

As is common with such models, the price has not been disclosed. However, wealthy enthusiasts moved by these words are undoubtedly already making discreet contact with this nascent brand.