Sony and BMW Group have teamed up on a new vehicle in Gran Turismo 6 called the BMW Vision Gran Turismo. GT6, which is exclusive to Sony’s PlayStation 3, has now been updated so the BMW Vision Gran Turismo can be downloaded directly from the game.
With GT6 patch 1.07, players can get access to the modern road-racer created by the BMW design team. The BMW Vision Gran Turismo was designed to “resurrect the excitement and passion of 1970s touring cars.” You’ll have to race in it for yourself to see if it lives up to the billing.
The BMW Vision Gran Turismo boasts a virtual three-liter six-cylinder inline engine developed by BMW M GmbH, which promises a peak performance of 404 kW/549 hp, fast laps and optimum handling and control. Crisp proportions and a dynamic silhouette give the BMW Vision Gran Turismo the appearance of speed, even standing still.
Front and rear spoilers ensure optimum down-force, while all air conduction elements reduce drag and lower the vehicle’s total weight through the use of carbon fiber. The paint finish in BMW M colors traces the flow of the airstream, recalling BMW Motorsports successes.
“The BMW Vision Gran Turismo is pure BMW sportiness and dynamics,” said Karim Habib, Head of Design BMW Automobiles. “It’s a precise driving machine engineered and designed to race and win.”
To mark the game’s 15th anniversary last year, Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi invited leading automobile manufacturers to contribute to the game series. Design departments were called upon to look into the future and share their ground-breaking concept models with the gaming community. The virtual cars will be gradually integrated into the new Gran Turismo 6 game through online updates, much as the new BMW race car has been.
The technology in the BMW Vision Gran Turismo is just as impressive as its uncompromising design. A powerful three-litre six-cylinder inline engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology delivers a maximum power of 404 kW/549 hp between 6,200 min-1 and 7,300 min-1. Its peak torque of 680 Nm is developed at just 1,900 rpm. A sequential six-speed transmission, operated by gearshift paddles on the steering wheel, distributes engine power to the driven rear axle. The outstanding performance characteristics of the BMW Vision Gran Turismo, which weighs only 1,180 kilograms, include perfect 50:50 axle load distribution.
And hey, if you happen to be in or headed to Germany, visitors to BMW Welt in Munich will also be able to take the BMW Vision Gran Turismo to the virtual track within the BMW M exhibition. Besides PS3 gaming stations, an additional dedicated racing seat with a specially designed three-screen display will be available making the experience totally immersive, and the closest you can get to driving the car in real life.