Mercedes-Benz developed a completely new super sports car for the new PlayStation 3 game Grand Tourismo 6 – the AMG Vision Gran Tourismo Concept that was showcased at the 2013 LA Motor Show. The concept has been specifically designed for the game itself, but definitely talks about the future design language of Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The 1:1 scale model was unveiled on 19th November at the opening of the new Mercedes-Benz Research and Development Centre in Sunnyvale, California.
The AMG Vision Gran Tourismo is powered by a V8 Bi-Turbo of unspecified displacement churning out 577 HP of power and a staggering 800 Nm of torque and weighs around 1385 kgs. The car is very low to the ground true to the racing intent and gets its styling cues from Mercedes’ iconic 300SL and the A-Class. The gull-wing doors are featured on the AMG Vision Gran Toursimo as well.
The car sports extreme proportions and the bulgy wheel arches will catch your attention at the first glance. The lines and proportions are very typical of Mercedes with the long hood in front and compact proportions at the rear. Mercedes has taken design cues from water droplets to incorporate the aerodynamic efficiency in its design. The front facia is extremely sporty and menacing to look at and houses colour changing LED lamps. Another noteworthy detail is the variable LED integrated radiator grille which has evolved from the diamond star grille seen on the A-Class. Mercedes has envisioned the car with an aluminium space-frame body and extensive use of carbon fibre.
In terms of the interiors, the design elements and functionality have come out of F1 cars. The AMG Vision Gran Tourismo concept incorporates paddle shifters and an all digital information cluster for the driver’s aid. Rocker switches like that on a jet fighter have been used on the concept while the sports seats and the dashboard are covered in red leather.
Though the model on display was strictly a concept, we will get to try our hands on the car when the Gran Tourismo 6 is released next month. Mercedes says that the car will feel in-game like a real car. The theme of the AMG Vision Gran Tourismo concept will be applied on future Mercedes models, the successor to the SLS (SLC) we hope and more concepts based on the Gran Tourismo could spawn in the future.
