Mercedes-Benz presents a visionary super sports car
Press Information
Exquisite virtual reality:
20 November 2013
Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo
Contents
Page
Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo
Driving Performance at its most beguiling
2
Kazunori Yamauchi in conversation with Gorden Wagener
Exquisite virtual reality
7
High performance on the PlayStation® 3
Mercedes-Benz delights fans with 21 vehicles in Gran Turismo® 6
10
Technical
Technical
12
data
Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo
Daimler Communications, 70546 Stuttgart/Germany
Mercedes-Benz - A Daimler Brand
Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo
Driving Performance at its most beguiling
Stuttgart. Powerful, fast and as graceful as a big cat on the hunt:
with the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo, the Stuttgartbased premium brand is presenting its visionary concept for a super
sports car. Mercedes-Benz designers developed it specifically for
the new PlayStation® 3 racing game Gran Turismo® 6. Extreme
proportions, sensual contours and precise graphics blend to form a
body that visually confirms the breathtaking performance of 430 kW
(585 hp) and 800 Nm of torque. As a 1:1-scale model, the MercedesBenz AMG Vision Gran Turismo is celebrating its world premiere at
the opening of the new Mercedes-Benz Research & Development
Center in Sunnyvale, California. Before the end of the year, this
super sports car with hallmark Mercedes gullwing doors will take to
the virtual racetrack. As the first "Vision Gran Turismo" model, it will
be available for download when Gran Turismo® 6 goes on sale in
December 2013.
To mark the 15th birthday of the popular Gran Turismo® series this year,
Kazunori Yamauchi, Producer Gran Turismo series and President of
Polyphony Digital Inc., called upon the world's leading automotive
manufacturers and design studios to look forward into the future. Using the
theme "Vision Gran Turismo", these creative teams were to develop
concept models which give a unique insight into the further development of
the automobile. As virtual vehicles that nonetheless function just like a real
car, the visionary concepts
will be gradually unveiled in and integrated into the new game Gran
Turismo® 6 through online updates.
The designers at the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studios in
Sindelfingen and Carlsbad (exterior design) and also in Como, Italy
(interior design) succeeded in developing the Mercedes-Benz AMG
Vision Gran Turismo in a relatively short space of time. As part of this
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they worked precisely in accordance with the regular design process for
new series production vehicles and show cars. It is almost impossible to
develop a vehicle in such a short
time – but the hearts of the Mercedes-Benz designers beat with a passion
for super sports cars. The modern design language combines classic
design elements from motor racing history, a fact which helped to
accelerate the creative process enormously.
Extreme proportions and flowing, sensual contours
"By virtue of its proportions and expressive appearance, the MercedesBenz AMG Vision Gran Turismo embodies the brand's defining design
philosophy of sensual purity in a unique way. The design of this concept
car reflects to extreme effect the perfect symbiosis between emotional,
sensuous contours and intelligently presented high tech," says Gorden
Wagener, Vice President Design Daimler AG.
The sports car proportions that are a typical Mercedes feature have been
reinterpreted: the long bonnet has a flowing transition into a compact
greenhouse offset to the rear, which takes the form of an aerodynamically
efficient water drop to descend slightly at the rear, where it rests on the
powerful, stylish rear end with broad shoulder contours. The dynamic
aura is accentuated by an extended, dramatic side contour and a
pronounced bulge to the wheel arches, which blend into the low-slung,
muscular bodyshell. The long wheelbase, small front overhang and
slightly longer rear overhang likewise give visual confirmation of
acceleration power.
An elegant contrast with the flowing, sensual contours is created by the
clear geometric graphical elements that highlight technical features such
as the headlamps, radiator grille and tail lights. The angled headlamps,
with their colour scheme and determined look, convey a sense of
sportiness and readiness to leap forward. This impression is reinforced by
the bonnet with its expressive forms and motorsport details, such as the
release catches on the bonnet and the fuel cap, for example. The redglowing contour lines on the lower part of the vehicle create an effect
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similar to that of exterior ambient lighting and stand out from the silverpainted bodywork. This makes the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran
Turismo look even more aggressive.
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Variable LED radiator grille with different lighting patterns
Another eye-catching feature is the radiator grille – a reinterpretation of
the wide Mercedes-Benz sports car grille with central star. Its shape is
reminiscent of the legendary 300 SL racing car that won a glorious
victory in the 3rd Carrera Panamericana in Mexico in 1952 – one of the
world's toughest long-distance races – despite the famous accident with a
vulture. However, the radiator grille of the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision
Gran Turismo does not feature classic louvres but rather exclusively
LEDs. The variable LED grille with different light patterns is a further
development of the diamond grille introduced with the new A-Class. The
majority of the LEDs are arranged to represent five horizontal louvres.
When the daytime running lamps are switched on, the centre "louvre"
lights up to show the front aspect that is typical of Mercedes sports cars.
When the racing lights are switched on, numerous LEDs light up in green
in the background, like round fog lamps.
Gran Turismo® 6 Players will soon be able to choose an alternative
version of the virtual Mercedes-Benz super sports car. The “MercedesBenz AMG Vision Gran Turismo Racing Series” offers further
enhancements over the regular show car which was presented as
physical 1:1 model in California. To ensure perfect downforce and
therefore great handling stability in tough racetrack conditions on the
PlayStation, the Racing Series has a fixed rear spoiler while the show car
version has an extending variant of this integrated into the boot lid. In
addition, the third brake light in the middle of the rear end lights up in red
as the Gran Turismo® logo, unmistakably confirming the identity of the
high-performance gullwing racer. Visitors of the LA Autoshow are the first
to drive this car virtually in Gran Turismo® 6 next to the 1:1 show car at
the Mercedes-Benz booth.
Purist interior dedicated to speed
The exterior design, which is systematically geared to motor racing and
therefore reduced to the bare essentials, is congenially mirrored in the
interior of the two-seater. The functional yet elegant interior design
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exudes powerful, passionate sportiness. Inspired by a Formula 1 cockpit,
the red integral sports seats provide perfect lateral support and blend into
the black flooring of the footwell to form a protective shell. The form of this
flowing, sculptured shell is clearly dedicated to function, ergonomics and
safety – and suggests enormous forward thrust.
A truly eye-catching feature is the dashboard, which takes the form of two
gullwing doors which are positioned on each side of the steering column.
As a result the actual doors themselves appear to be an extension of the
dashboard. The dashboard therefore has a particularly dynamic and
sensuous appearance. The central display is optimally positioned in the
driver's field of vision: it takes the form of a glass surface floating directly
above the racing steering wheel with its shift paddles, and shows all the
relevant information such as road speed, engine speed and operating
temperature as required. Operation is by rocker switches in the centre of
the dashboard and in an overhead console, like in a jet. The steering
column visibly penetrates the firewall to the engine compartment, creating
a visual connection between the driver and the heart of this super sports
car, the AMG V8 front-mid engine.
Intelligent lightweight design
The AMG V8 biturbo engine delivers an exceptionally agile response to
even the smallest movements of the accelerator. It develops 430 kW (585
hp) and a maximum torque of 800 Nm. With an aluminium spaceframe
body and components in carbon fibre, the material of choice in motor
racing, the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo tips the scales at
only 1385 kilograms. That amounts to around 2.4 kilograms per hp – an
unrivalled figure in the super sports car segment, and one that
guarantees exceptionally dynamic performance. The weight distribution of
46 percent at the front and 54 percent at the rear likewise promises plenty
of driving pleasure.
Authentic engine sound from the racetrack
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The engine is combined with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports
transmission, which is systematically configured for outstandingly
dynamic performance. Excellent deceleration values and fade resistance
at the highest level are ensured by the AMG ceramic high-performance
composite braking system. The AMG sports exhaust system with eight
tailpipes integrated into the rear end provides a powerful accompaniment
whenever the car accelerates, and ensures an unrivalled motorsports
sound experience. For fans of Gran Turismo® 6, the Mercedes-Benz AMG
sound specialists have created a powerful, sonorous exhaust note that
authentically celebrates the V8's love of high engine speeds. The highfrequency sound signature when accelerating under full load is
particularly reminiscent of the racetrack.
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Kazunori Yamauchi in conversation with Gorden Wagener
Exquisite virtual reality
The Gran Turismo® series developed by Polyphony Digital Inc. 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. Mercedes-Benz has already been represented with an everincreasing number of vehicle models since 1999. 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, Kazunori Yamauchi, Producer Gran Turismo
series and President of Polyphony Digital Inc., and Gorden Wagener,
Vice President Design Daimler AG, 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
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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
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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.
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High performance on the PlayStation® 3
Mercedes-Benz delights fans with 21 vehicles
in Gran Turismo® 6
Mercedes-Benz can look back on a long and successful track record
in the Gran Turismo® racing game series. Models bearing the
Mercedes star have been represented in the game since the market
launch of Gran Turismo® 2 back in 1999. In the latest version, Gran
Turismo® 6, the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo is joined
by 21 historic and current Mercedes-Benz models for sheer
excitement and fascination. Some of these already made the hearts
of fans beat faster in Gran Turismo® 5. A new addition includes
another exceptional high-performance vehicle from Mercedes-AMG:
the SLS AMG GT3 producing more than 367 kW (more than 500 hp).
"The Mercedes-Benz brand was forged in motor racing. We are therefore
enthusiastic partners of the Gran Turismo® series, which sets the
standard for racing games with its unrivalled realism and also makes it
possible to experience the fascination of Mercedes-Benz in digital form,"
says Jens Thiemer, Head of Brand Communication at Mercedes-Benz.
In Gran Turismo® 6, gaming fans and car enthusiasts are able to
authentically experience numerous exciting high-performance icons from
the brand history of Mercedes-Benz – from the legendary 300 SL
Gullwing of 1954 to the CLK-LM racing car of 1998, the current SLS AMG
GT3 and the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo as a vision of the
future.
The SLS AMG GT3 enables the limits of motorsport to be experienced
first hand. Since 2011, its spectacular racing car design and thoroughbred
race technology, which precisely meets the FIA's GT3 rules, have been
enthralling motor racing fans the world over both in fast sprints and
gruelling long-distance races. Its track record this year is already
impressive: Five starts – five victories. This means that the racing
gullwing model boasting more than 500 hp has won the "Grand Slam" of
classic GT3 long-distance races.
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The Mercedes-Benz cars in Gran Turismo® 6
Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo (2013)
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 (2010)
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG (2010)
Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG (2008)
Mercedes-Benz SL 600 (2004)
Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG (2004)
Mercedes-Benz SL 500 (2002)
Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG (2002)
Mercedes-Benz E 55 AMG (2002)
Mercedes-Benz CL 600 (2000)
Mercedes-Benz CLK 55 AMG (2000)
Mercedes-Benz CLK Touring Car (2000)
Mercedes-Benz A 160 (1998)
Mercedes-Benz CLK-LM Race Car (1998)
Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5 – Evolution II, (1992)
Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5 – 16 Evolution II, (1991)
Mercedes-Benz SL 500 (1998)
Mercedes-Benz SL 600 (1998)
SLK 230 Kompressor (1998)
Sauber Mercedes-Benz C9 Race Car (1989)
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupé (1954)
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Technical data
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Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo
Engine
Number of
cylinders/arrangement
Displacement
Bore x stroke
Rated output
Rated torque
Maximum engine speed
Compression ratio
Mixture formation
Power transmission
Drive
Transmission
Gear ratios
V8, 4 valves per cylinder
cc
mm
kW/hp
Nm
5461
98.0 x 90.5
430/585 at 5500 rpm
800 at 2000-4500 rpm
6400 rpm
10.0: 1
Microprocessor-controlled direct petrol injection,
biturbocharging
Standard drive system
AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports
transmission
Final-drive 4.44
ratio
3.40
1st gear
2.19
2nd gear
1.63
3rd gear
1.29
4th gear
1.03
5th gear
0.84
6th gear
0.72
7th gear
–2.79
Reverse
Chassis and suspension
Front axle
Rear axle
Braking system
Steering
Wheels
Tyres
Dimensions and weights
Wheelbase
mm
Track, front/rear
mm
Overall length
mm
Overall width
mm
Overall height
mm
Ground clearance
mm
Centre of gravity height
mm
Kerb weight according to EC* kg
Weight distribution
%
Tank capacity/incl. reserve of l
Double wishbone suspension
Double wishbone suspension, electronic AMG
locking differential
AMG ceramic high-performance composite
braking system, brake discs ventilated and
perforated all-round, brake disc dimensions
402x39 mm (front) and 360x32 mm (rear),
electric parking brake at rear, ABS, Brake Assist,
ESP®
Electro-mechanical rack-and-pinion power
steering, ratio 13.6:1
front: 9.5 J x 21; rear: 12 J x 22
front: 275/30 ZR 21; rear 335/25 ZR 22
2804
1734/1707
4820
2000
1110
80
400
1385
46 front/54 rear
80/10
* Fuel tank 90% full, without driver and luggage
Contacts:
Tobias Müller, tel. no.: +49 (0)711 17-7 73 68, [email protected]
Ina Schultz, tel. no.: +49 (0)711 17-7 68 76, [email protected]
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Mercedes-Benz - A Daimler Brand
Further information about Mercedes-Benz is available online:
www.media.daimler.com and www.mercedes-benz.com
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