Many car manufacturers promote themselves using racing games, and Bugatti has a solid history of this.
What makes this blue hyper-racing beast special is that it has been drawn and built exclusively for PlayStation's Gran Turismo 6. Built is the key term here. The video game vehicle now has a double in the form of a real-size concept car that GT lovers can see and touch this year at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
As all the 450 unique Veyron models are now sold, the luxury car producer focuses on continuing the supercar line. The Vision GT concept was born as a sign of reverence and appreciation for the numberless fans who are yet to be clients, a Bugatti executive said. Even if the concept will not be Veyron's successor, it gives a clear idea of what can be expected.
First, Vision Gran Turismo heralds the future design philosophy of Bugatti. The inspiration for shape, color and design is drawn from the Type 57 Bugatti, winner of Le Mans in 1937 and 1939. Elements that are a trademark of Bugatti, most notably the horseshoe grill, are being kept. This happens while the aggressive, sporty look is enforced by the trimmed down headlights and wider rear spoiler.
Second, engineers speculated the advantage of building a concept car not meant to be sold in high numbers. This means that they computed every possible aspect of aerodynamics into the design, ensuring that Vision GT would be an ideal race car. Comfortable details and safety systems that add weight to streetcars have been abandoned, and the motor layout was designed with just the circuit in mind.
With the W16 impressive engine mounted on the GT, it is safe to assume that the horsepower is comparable with Veyron's. Vision features four-wheel-drive and a couple so high that simulations show a staggering 250 mph capacity on four sections of the virtual Le Mans track. The Veyron model is just slightly faster, reaching a top speed of 267.86mph.
"Bugatti is admired and loved by countless people throughout the world. We highly appreciate this enthusiasm," Wolfgang Dürheimer, president of Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. said. "This is a project for our fans."
The Frankfurt Motor Show will display the Vision Gran Turismo concept starting Sept. 17.
