On November 20th 2013, the inaugural model in the Vision Gran Turismo project, the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo, was revealed at the Mercedes-Benz Research and Development Center near San Jose, California. The producer of the Gran Turismo series, Kazunori Yamauchi, was in attendance, sharing the satisfaction of witnessing the unveiling together with the Mercedes-Benz staff involved in the creation of the car. Following this, the AMG is scheduled to be transferred to Los Angeles where it will be displayed at the Mercedes-Benz booth on the opening day of the LA Auto Show.

In collaboration with the creators of Gran Turismo, Mercedes-Benz has come up with a striking sports car that features gull-wing doors and some seriously sensuous curves. The image the design team had in mind was that of a big cat closing in on its prey, and this has been realised in both the elegance and sense of agility and alertness in the completed model. The shape of the front grille is modelled on the classic Mercedes-Benz 300SL, the winner of the Carrera Panamericana in 1952, a race famed for its unforgiving conditions. However, the grille differs from the classic model in being made entirely from LEDs, capable of lighting up independently in a variety of patterns.

The body is distinctive chiefly for its impressive curves and powerful and prominent fender, both of which follow firmly in the tradition of Mercedes-Benz’s impeccably proportioned sports cars. The car pays homage to classic competition cars with features that include the use of trigger catches to fasten both the bonnet and rear hatch. It is also equipped with a moveable rear wing. The chassis is made from an aluminium spaceframe with carbon fibre components, meaning that its weight is reduced to 1,385 kg (3053 lbs.), significantly lighter than normal for this type of sports car.

Underneath its elongated bonnet, the AMG has an optimised 5.5 litre V8 twin turbo engine, boasting an output of 585ps (577BHP) with a substantial torque of 81 kgfm at 2000-4500 rpm. With its ultra-light body, the AMG achieves a power-to-weight ratio of 2.37kg/ps. The sound designers for the AMG have come up with an elegant specially-tuned exhaust note for the eight independent exhaust pipes which have been integrated into the tail lights. Rival drivers will hear this strong and distinctive engine roar as the AMG races past them.

With the worldwide release of Gran Turismo 6 on 6th December, you will be able to get behind the wheel of this incredible car, a revolutionary model that introduces Vision Gran Turismo to the world*. Get ready to experience the sports car of the future, brought to you by Mercedes-Benz.

Vision Gran Turismo is a project where the world’s leading automobile manufacturers develop exclusive concept cars for fans of Gran Turismo. The AMG is the first in a series of audacious and ambitious models that you will not want to miss.

*By connecting your PlayStation®3 to the internet and performing an online update for Gran Turismo 6, you will be able to race using this car.