The Gran Turismo series developed by Polyphony Digital is celebrating its 15th birthday this year. With sales of more than 70 million units, it is ranked among the world’s most popular video games.
As a birthday present, fans of the new version, Gran Turismo 6, will receive “Vision Gran Turismo” concept vehicles as online updates. The first to take to the virtual starting line will be the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo. All the other models will follow gradually next year.
In conversation, Gorden Wagener, current Vice President of Design at Daimler, and Kazunori Yamauchi, the producer of the Gran Turismo series and also President of Polyphony Digital, explain the idea behind “Vision Gran Turismo” and the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo.
Mr Yamauchi, there is already a tradition of integrating one-off concept cars into Gran Turismo. But such a large number, as now in Gran Turismo 6, is something new. Why are concept cars important for Gran Turismo, and which technologies are expected to become a reality in regular cars?
Kazunori Yamauchi: For me as a child, the concept cars announced by automobile manufacturers in motor shows were fantastic presents that always brought promise of a bright future. That feeling hasn’t changed today. The technology researched by automotive manufacturers reach far and wide, and is beyond my imagination. And because automobiles are at the center of all our means of transportation, I’m positive that the advancement of automotive technology is something that will change our lives.
Mr Wagener, at the start of 2013 you received an enquiry whether you would develop a visionary concept car for Gran Turismo 6. Did you hesitate at first, owing to the short time available? And what was it like to develop a car that will only ever drive virtually in a game, and never on the road?
Gorden Wagener: As an automobile brand that has always borne motor racing genes within it, we enthusiastically accepted this progressive challenge. And of course we also wanted to present Gran Turismo fans with the Mercedes-Benz AMG vision of a super sports car, and therefore a unique driving experience, as an exclusive birthday present from day one of the new game. Although the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo will not actually drive on the road, we applied the same standards and followed the same processes during the design development as for any other concept or series production car. As is usual, all the worldwide Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studios first submitted the design sketches for their visions. The best ideas were then developed in the Advanced Design Studio in Sindelfingen as part of a purely digital design process and subsequently perfected in a physical 1:1 design process. The interior design was created in our Advanced Design Studio in Como, Italy, which specialises in interior design.
The word realistic is often used to describe Gran Turismo. What features are decisive for a motor racing game to make it realistic?
Kazunori Yamauchi: The exterior of the car, the movements of the car, drive feel, and to observe the scenery around the car in as close in detail as possible. Creation starts from close, careful observation.
What is special about the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo?
Gorden Wagener: This concept car perfectly embodies our design philosophy of sensual purity. The technical details engineered with utmost precision, such as the headlamps, the front grille and even the tailpipe trim, create a deliberate contrast to the sensual design idiom of the vehicle body and bolster its breathtaking appearance on the road. Even at a standstill, the design and the extreme sports car proportions create an enormous impression of forward thrust. At the same time this visionary car harks back to features from the legendary motor racing history of Mercedes-Benz, and completely reinterprets them as in the case of the sports car radiator of the 300 SL of 1952, for example. The result is a perfect balance between tradition and progress, a fundamental attribute of designs from Mercedes-Benz. The design of this study demonstrates the perfect interaction of emotional, sensual shapes and intelligently staged high tech.
Mr Yamauchi, you worked together closely with the design team at Mercedes-Benz. What do you like best about this visionary super sports car?
Kazunori Yamauchi: I’m attracted to the exterior that is both modern and classic, that is elegant but gives off a sense of high performance. The young designers working on the design are also Gran Turismo fans, so I think this will be a very good collaboration.
Mr Wagener, will we perhaps see the Mercedes-AMG Vision Gran Turismo or individual features of it on the roads in the real world one day?
Gorden Wagener: For us designers, the development of a concept vehicle is always an inspiration that drives us onward. We are able to try out new ideas and venture further into the future. And of course you will also find this philosophy in future Mercedes-Benz models again. Not only in the sports cars, but of course also in some special areas, so prepare to be surprised.
Source: Mercedes-Benz
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