BMW News

It may be the most exciting BMW many of us will ever drive—virtually. BMW is launching a new racecar—the BMW Vision Gran Turismo—exclusively for Gran Turismo 6, one of the most popular racing simulations in the gaming world and available only for Sony’s PlayStation 3.

The race car, created by BMW Group Design, is propelled by a virtual three-liter, six-cylinder inline engine developed by BMW M GmbH and pumping out 549 horsepower. “The development of the BMW Vision Gran Turismo combines our many years of motorsports experience with signature BMW Design. The race car anticipates future racing trends and allows gaming fans even more to experience BMW racing quality,” says Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, Vice President Brand Communication BMW, BMW i, BMW M.

In designing the Vision Gran Tourismo, BMW followed the same design approach they have taken for their race cars for decades. Crisp proportions and a dynamic silhouette make the car look fast, even standing still. Front and rear spoilers ensure optimum downforce, all air conduction elements reduce drag, and the vehicle’s total weight is lowered through the use of carbon fiber. The paint finish in BMW M colors traces the flow of the airstream. Karim Habib, Head of Design BMW Automobiles said, “The BMW Vision Gran Turismo is pure BMW sportiness and dynamics. It’s a precise driving machine engineered and designed to race and win.”

A powerful three-liter, six-cylinder inline engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology delivers 549 horsepower between 6,200 and 7,300 rpm. Its peak torque of 500 pound-feet comes at 1,900 rpm. Gear changes in the sequential six-speed transmission are made with paddles on the steering wheel. The BMW Vision Gran Turismo  weighs only 2,600 pounds, an impressively low number that is distributed at a perfect 50:50 balance.

Starting May 15, visitors to the BMW Welt in Munich will be able to have a near-total immersion in the BMW Vision Gran Turismo experience. The Welt’s M exhibit will feature PlayStation 3 gaming stations with a dedicated racing seat with a specially designed three-screen display to enclose visitors in the BMW Vision Gran Tourismo's racing environment.

The Gran Turismo video game, first released in 1998, is an award-winning racing simulation and PlayStation’s most successful franchise. It features a wide range of realistic racetrack options and authentic-looking high-definition graphic images. According to Sony Computer Entertainment, the complete series has sold over 70 million games in more than 100 countries to date.

The BMW Vision Gran Tourismo may be the best reason yet to have a PlayStation 3. Click on the video below for a taste of the Vision Gran Tourismo on the Nürburgring's Nordschleife—Scott Blazey