What's the news?

As part of the build-up to the launch of Gran Turismo 6 on the new PlayStation 4, several car makers were asked to create unique virtual vehicles under the theme 'Vision Gran Turismo'. Mercedes-Benz decided to create a full-scale model of its creation, the AMG Vision Gran Turismo, which was revealed today at the opening of the new Mercedes-Benz Research & Development Center in Sunnyvale, California, USA.

Exterior

Where to start? The AMG Vision concept is nothing short of spectacular to look at. It's incredibly wide, shockingly low and in profile appears elongated too. All four wheels are covered by muscular, exaggerated bodywork and of course there are gullwing doors. Tiny cameras on stalks replace side mirrors.

The rear design is most un-Merc-like with a full-width slim light unit, F1-style LED fog lamp and a large movable rear wing. There are also eight exhaust outlets. The Mercedes-Benz look is restored up front though, with a futuristic take on the large radiator grille of the 1952 300 SL. The large centrally mounted star badge is surrounded not by metal or plastic louvres, but by LEDs that illuminate in different light patterns. From this angle the outrageous shape of the huge alloy wheels can be better appreciated too, as they dome outwards from the tyre edges.

"By virtue of its proportions and expressive appearance, the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo embodies the brand's defining design philosophy of sensuous purity in a unique way. The design of this concept car reflects to extreme effect the perfect symbiosis between emotional, sensuous contours and intelligently presented high tech," says Gorden Wagener, Vice President Design Daimler AG.

Here's hoping some of this drama finds its way onto the next generation SLS AMG.

Interior

The concept car's two-seat cockpit is no less dramatic and takes more than a little inspiration from the world of motorsport. A central glass surface houses all the usual main instrument information; there are gearchange paddles behind the steering wheel and rocker switches on the centre console and overhead. Unusually, the steering column's entry point through the firewall is emphasised rather than hidden.

Mechanicals

Mounted up front, though well back over the centreline of the wheels to improve weight distribution, is AMG's biturbo V8 petrol engine. Maximum outputs are quoted as 585hp and 800Nm. Mercedes states that the concept weighs 1,385kg thanks to use of an aluminium space frame body and carbon fibre in places. Little else is revealed in terms of performance stats, though the concept of course comes with carbon composite brakes.

Anything else?

Kazunori Yamauchi, Producer of Gran Turismo series and President of Polyphony Digital Inc. is credited with the idea of approaching car manufacturers to create these virtual show-stoppers. It's all part of the celebrations of the game's 15th birthday and more concepts will be unveiled in time, which will be made available to gamers via online updates of Gran Turismo 6.

Shane O' Donoghue - 17 Nov 2013