A matter of hours after BMW unveiled the new M4 Coupé it was available to drive, on your PlayStation, in Gran Turismo 6. But now the Bavarian brand has gone one step further by using the 'ultimate driving simulator' as the means to show its latest concept. Dubbed the BMW Vision Gran Turismo the car was previewed late last year with a teaser shot that revealed little but the front end, but now we can show the concept in all its M Division glory.
Designed to coincide with the 15th anniversary of Gran Turismo, the BMW concept, like the new M3 and M4 siblings, has a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six engine. Unlike the M3/M4 though, which have to make do with a measly 431hp, the Vision Gran Turismo has an M5-troubling 549hp produced between 6,200- and 7,300rpm, with peak torque of 680Nm available from 1,800rpm. A specially developed (virtual) six-speed sequential gearbox channels power to the rear wheels as all BMWs should while the 1,180kg kerb weight is split 50:50 front and rear. In-game performance should be swift to say the least.
Styling wise, and looking past the hallmark M Division livery, there is a touch of 4 Series DTM car to the wide arched monster with a sprinkling of 6 Series around the rear end. While this is a completely virtual concept it is obvious that BMW wanted to stay within its current design ethos with the car, unlike some of the other brands who were invited to 'build' Gran Turismo cars. This is alluded to by Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, Vice President Brand Communication BMW:
"The development of the BMW Vision Gran Turismo combines our many years of motorsports experience with signature BMW design."
Anything else?
If you happen to be anywhere near BMW Welt in Munich from Thursday you can experience the BMW Vision Gran Turismo first hand, but not just on any old PlayStation. A dedicated racing seat with a specially designed three-screen display has been set up to give gamers a totally immersive experience, one BMW says is the closest you can get to driving this car in real life.