The first ever virtual Concept from BMW just made its debut on the internet being revealed in a couple of photos and videos that, we have to admit, tease the hell out of us.
BMW first showed the new M4 Coupe inside the virtual world, a few hours before the official photo gallery of the car was released. We’re talking about the Gran Turismo 6 game that unveiled the new car to the world, last year on December 12.
Some people were disappointed of how the car sounded in that game but, from a strictly visual perspective, the model rendered inside the game was exactly how the M4 turned out in real life.
This time, we’re looking at simply a concept and not a production car. Dubbed the BMW Vision Gran Turismo, the new car will be available exclusively inside the GT6 game on PS3.
This move was done to celebrate the franchise’s 15th anniversary and the idea came from the game’s creator, Kazunori Yamauchi. He invited most major manufacturers around the world to create special cars that would eventually be introduced into the virtual world, to mark the special anniversary.
“I was eagerly awaiting what kind of car the people at BMW would come up with. The resulting Vision GT car was a sports car that was so clearly BMW, that really shows the DNA of BMW," said Yamauchi.
"The development of the BMW Vision Gran Turismo combines our many years of motorsports experience with signature BMW design," added Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, Vice President Brand Communication BMW, BMW i, BMW M.
And, as you can see, the Vision Gran Turismo doesn’t look like anything else but a BMW. A BMW M, that is, as the huge stripes can’t be mistaken for any other brand in the world.
Despite not being a real car, the Concept has technical specs included, to compete inside the GT6 virtual world. According to BMW, the Vision Gran Turismo has a powerful 3-liter 6-cylinder engine developed by the M division making 549 HP between 6,200 and 7,300 RPM. Peak torque is rated at 680 Nm (501 lb-ft) of torque and is available from 1,800 RPM.
As you can see, the engine numbers are dangerously close to those put out by the F10 M5 and yet the powerplant is only a 3-liter. Furthermore, the gearbox is different, specially prepared for racing. It’s a 6-speed sequential unit that drives only the rear axle in good BMW tradition.
Mix in the weight of only 1,180 kg (2,601 lbs) and the perfect 50:50 distribution and you’ve got yourself a supercar on your hands. Of course, only in the virtual world for now but who know what the future holds...
PS: You’ll need an online update to play with this car in Gran Turismo 6.
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