Vision Gran Turismo is Gran Turismo's 15th anniversary project where the world's top carmakers and brands challenge themselves to develop a concept car that shows its dedication in the world of Gran Turismo. The first car to spearhead Vision GT is Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision GT.
Getting to know more about the first of VGT is tough because, let's be honest, this is one of the exciting and amazing stuff you can only find in the world of Gran Turismo since the GTbyCitroen and the Red Bull X cars like the X2010 and the more powerful X2011. At first glance, the Vision GT by Mercedes-Benz looks utterly similar to one of their concepts, the Silver Arrow but judging by their preliminary sketches, this concept tries to capture the essence of Gran Turismo while staying true to its historical roots. This concept was theoretically inspired by the 500k Autobahn Courier, which is known to be one of the most elegant-looking classics made by Mercedes-Benz.
Anyway, no time for jammie dodgers because I'm here to talk about how did Car Number One of Vision GT fares in the GT6 stakes and I took it for a spin at the place I called "proving ground" and that could be the Ascari track in Southern Spain. Ah, it feels nice to call the Ascari track my new home when it comes to testing out new rides.
While the design is nothing but retro-futuristic, the engine that powers it is...yes...the AMG V8 BiTurbo engine that you get in today's AMG models but it's been uprooted to 577HP of power and 800Nm of torque, while being mated to an AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed gearbox. Now, I know double-clutch trannies do fare well when it comes for quicker shifting but some people say...double-clutches can be a bit of a baloney when it comes to its fun-to-drive factor. In the MB VGT however, this is different. It's still behaves like a lairy car any Brainiac would salivate for. It maybe as classy as Cinderella's glass slippers but it feels as lairy as...Lord Hater's spaceship. Being lairy is all about being cunning or conceited but it's all about being a massive show-off in a Brainiac kind of way.
By the moment I drive this, it feels promising at the start but when things starting to get more noticing for the MB AMG VGT, it's dynamic nature is starting to come unraveled and if I'm not careful on handling this delicate but crazy monster machine, it's going to cause me a terrible hangover but if I take time to master the raw firepower of this concept, I'm starting to appreciate the people behind the project.
Such greatness deserve a great challenge and to that, I'm taking MB's Vision GT to a seasonal event held at the newest original track in GT6: MATTERHORN.
Although an original track in GT6, it was situated in Gornergrat, Switzerland, an area commanding a breathtaking view of one of the world's iconic mountains. There are three layouts; the very technical Rotenboden, the moderate Riffelsee, and the more mild and menacing Dristelen. Because of the track's elevation, it would be more of a challenge for a car tackling this new track.
The Seasonal Event in question takes place it the Dristelen layout and my goal is to beat the Gold target time without all the ruckus. PP regulation is 584 or less, tires has to be Sports HARD or less, and no nitrous allowed. Since the MB VGT Concept's PP is 584, that makes it well enough to take on the hardest challenge yet.
Having manage to brave though the catastrophic elevations of this course, I manage to beat the Gold target time and my record is about an acceptable 1:10.726. It may not be the quickest lap time I set up on this car but this is more than enough to please them when it comes for the Mercedes-Benz Vision GT's true potential.
The first of the Vision GT project, the Mercedes-Benz AMG VGT, maybe more of a retro-futuristic vision of what would the Autobahn Courier be but in the world of Gran Turismo, this is worth demanding for a GT player, casual or hardcore, when it comes to mastering the bare essentials of this breathtaking concept car. For now, I'm taking this for a joyride down at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Cheers!
MERCEDES BENZ AMG VISION GT
Make: Mercedes-Benz
Country of origin: Germany
Drivetrain: FR
Max Power: 576HP
Max Torque: 590.4lb-ft
Weight: 1385kg
Vice President Design Daimler AG:
Gorden Wagener
Director Advanced Design Global:
Steffen Köhl
Director Interior Design Passenger Cars:
Hartmut Sinkwitz
Senior Manager Advanced Design Germany:
Holger Hutzenlaub
Team Manager Advanced Design Germany:
Oliver Samson
Team Manager Advanced Design California:
Hubert Lee
Designer Advanced Design Germany:
Bastian Baudy
Sylvain Wehnert
Designer Exterior Design Data:
Sven Eberwein
Designer Advanced Design Italy:
Jean Arthur Madelaide Advenier
Designer Advanced Design California:
Jackson Luttig
Manager Product Placement:
Caroline Pilz
Head of Exhaust Systems Construction Mercedes-AMG GmbH:
Ralph Illenberger
Head of Acoustics and Vibrations Mercedes-AMG GmbH:
Dr. Thomas Hoffman
Which carmaker or brand will get the Vision GT treatment? Find out soon for more of Vision GT!!!
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