GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Pininfarina Fittipaldi

Dual Formula 1 world champion Emerson Fittipaldi is one step closer to fulfilling a life-long dream after teaming with Pininfarina to create the EF7 Vision Gran Turismo.

The sleek supercar debuted in Geneva this week a full 45 years after Fittipaldi won his first driver’s world championship for Lotus and in almost the same yellow paint scheme as his ill-fated Fittipaldi Automotive Formula 1 car (better known as Copersucer) of the mid-1970s.

Designed by Pininfarina and built by HWA (which builds Mercedes-Benz’s DTM racers and is the brainchild of AMG founder Hans Werner Aufrecht), the EF7 will be on sale in 2018.

However, it will only be on sale to 39 buyers, with each car representing one of Fittipaldi’s 14 Grand Prix victories, his 21 Indycar wins or one of his four championship titles.

“This is the happiest day of my life,” Fittipaldi said at the unveiling of the EF7 Vision Gran Turismo at the Pininfarina stand.

“Growing up in Brazil, even before I wanted to race, I dreamed of building a GT car. Thanks to a lot of creative partners, it’s now here for everyone to see.”

With a target weight of 1050kg, the rear-wheel drive EF7 will run a custom-made, dry-sump 4.8-litre V8 with around 440 to 450kW of power, along with 450Nm of torque.

The engine is naturally aspirated for optimum throttle response, revs to at least 9000rpm and is attached to a fully stressed, six-speed sequential gearbox.

Each car will be customised for each owner, including a fitted carbon-fibre seat that is fixed as part of the monocoque and a one-off Pantone paint colour.

Inside, the car will get a movable steering column, removable steering wheel and an adjustable pedal box, plus a host of electronics to make driving fast easier, safer and more fun, Fittipaldi insisted.

“I have tried for years to explain to others what it truly feels like to be behind the steering wheel of a championship race car,” Fittipaldi said.

“There is adrenaline and elation all rolled into an awe-inspiring inner fulfillment that leaves you craving for more. This is what our dream team created in the EF7 Vision Gran Turismo by Pininfarina,” he insisted.

As part of the purchase price, tipped to be well over $1 million, owners get personal driver tuition from the 70-year-old Fittipaldi and some individual track days.

Those not amongst the 39 EF7 customers will have to settle for driving the world’s newest supercar on Sony’s PlayStation 4, where it can be raced in the FIA’s virtual Gran Turismo championship.