Citroen builds GTbyCitroen real video-game car

We’re not quite sure what the purpose of this concept is, but it sure looks great. Shown at the 2008 Paris Auto Show, the car is called GTbyCITROËN, and it will be a playable car in some game called GT5 on some kid’s contraption called PS3. It seems to be a non-working full-size model, as Citroen’s press release is filled with nonsense, but no real mechanical details.

With GTbyCITROËN, a show-car presented at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, Citroën becomes the first vehicle manufacturer to cross over to the virtual worlds: An original take on a road car, GTbyCITROËN is a style replica of a vehicle from the digital world. The car is the result of a partnership between Citroën and Polyphony, designer of the driving simulation game Gran Turismo 5 on Playstation 3.

In the game, GTbyCITROËN features an electric drive train powered by a fuel cell with no pollutant emissions. It is a car designed to square up to the strongest competition.

The cabin of GTbyCITROËN, designed to seat two adults, expresses the grand touring vision behind this show-car. The on-board ambience allies premium, extensively worked materials with a more high-tech effect for the driving position.

GTbyCITROËN also expresses strength and power through generous volumes, (length: 4.960m, 2.080m and height: 1.090m) underlined by strongly marked wheel arches. The diamond-effect 21-inch aluminium wheels enhance the car’s sporty personality.

Don’t hold your breath for a production version though. This concept is just a gimmick to promote a video game. Basically, if you’ve already bought GT5 Prologue, you just spent money buying a demo. The full version of GT5 isn’t even out yet.