Citroen: Digital baby to berth in NZ

Citroen's GT concept car. Photo / Supplied

Citroen's GT concept car arriving for Speedshow

It may be five years old, but the GT concept car by Citroen is still a beautiful machine, and it's coming to this year's CRC Speedshow.

First displayed to acclaim at the 2008 Paris Motor Show after being digitally born through a collaboration between the French carmaker and Gran Turismo 5 videogame producers Polyphony, the GT is being drafted in to celebrate Sime Darby's takeover of the Citroen brand in New Zealand. At nearly five metres long, two metres wide and a whisker over one metre tall, the GT by Citroen is a dominating presence, to say the least. It's got gullwing doors and yawning air intakes which help to make the exaggerated rear end look even longer.

The cabin is upholstered in quality black leather with licks of copper and steel combining to create a unique interior - the obvious end-game with a show car of this calibre.

Simon Rose, Citroen boss with Sime Darby, said talks had been held with Speedshow "about how we could bring this marvel of design and innovative technology to our shores".

"To have now confirmed the Citroen GT's availability and arranged its shipping to New Zealand, we're delighted that we'll have the opportunity to show New Zealand car fans this irreplaceable concept vehicle."

Says Speedshow director Ross Prevette: "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 Citroen exemplifies the sort of unique, cutting-edge automobiles we seek to feature at each year's CRC Speedshow."

The CRC Speedshow takes place on July 20 to 21 at Auckland's ASB Showgrounds, and features a special Legends of Speed display celebrating 18 Kiwi motorsport luminaries including Bruce McLaren, Graeme Crosby and Scott Dixon.