As part of its 60th anniversary, the French brand Alpine has unveiled a
radical new concept car for the Gran Turismo 6 game. The Renault Alpine Vision
Gran Turismo Concept will enable players to get behind the virtual wheel of this
exclusive creation.
The virtual Alpine VGT features a naturally-aspirated 4.5-liter V8 engine with 450
horsepower and will be available as a free update of Gran Turismo 6 for
PlayStation 3 in March 2015.
As Bernard Ollivier, CEO, Société des Automobiles Alpine, explains, the car will
not just be featured in the virtual world: "The end result is so stunning that
we couldn't resist producing an actual full-scale model of it!"
The model is being displayed at the Festival Automobile International in Paris
until February 1.
The team behind this project will now shift its focus on a rear-world car that
will be unleashed this year as part of the Alpine brand's 60th anniversary
celebrations.
Alpine VGT's Radical Rear-End Design
When designing the car, the Alpine engineers focused primarily on the rear-end
of the car and the cockpit, simply because they are the most popular views in
motor sport video games.
The rear-end design represents an unmistakable highlight of the Alpine Vision
Gran Turismo. The flat bottom that runs beneath the car terminates in arched
form, while a lower wing links the wheel arches to the stern.
The most striking characteristics of the Alpine Vision Gran Turismo become
apparent under braking. Integrated into the profile of the tail, the
hydraulically-activated airbrakes can be deployed in an instant, while at the
same time revealing the brake lights.
At the front, the sloping V-shaped bonnet is enhanced by a central crease and,
in a nod to the 1960s, the cross-shaped LED lights recall the black tape that
was used to protect the additional lights fitted to the Berlinette rally cars.
These references to the past blend in with a modern
aerodynamic package that includes a splitter designed to channel airflow along
the body sides. It also provides a glimpse of the suspension wishbones. Openings
in the bonnet expose the orange struts which are located horizontally at the top
of the chassis.
The wheels alone are eloquent of the fusion of present and past. The design of
the rims - inspired by those fitted to the A110s - is sufficiently open to
reveal the brake calipers, painted in orange or blue, depending on the version.
Open Cockpit
The appeal of Alpine Vision Gran Turismo is further enhanced by its open
cockpit. The driver sits on the right, a design typical of sport-prototype cars
given that the majority of circuits - not least of which Le Mans - run in a
clockwise direction.
Three Paint Options: White and Blue, Orange and Blue, Matte Black
Gran Turismo allows players to choose between three personalized colors:
- White and blue: this understated livery is also the color scheme chosen for
the full-scale model of the car.
- Orange and blue: inspired by the Alpine A450, two-time European Endurance
Champion.
- Matte black: in true gamer style.
