2016 Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo
After a few cryptic teaser shots of wings, engine covers and some objects we weren’t quite sure about , Bugatti has unveiled its contribution to the Gran Turismo 6 Vision GT project. The Bugatti Vision GT is the virtual expression of how a real quasi-racing Bugatti could look. It also provides us with a preview of Bugatti’s next Veyron replacement, working-titled 2018 Bugatti Chiron .
As outrageous as it looks, the Bugatti Vision GT isn’t quite as extreme as some other cars in the Vision GT garage — the 2,590-horsepower 2015 SRT Tomahawk Vision Gran Turismo for instance — but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Bugatti designers and engineers wanted keep things in the realm of what’s possible now. That said, Bugattis by their very nature are extreme cars. “We wanted to create a project as realistic as possible for our fans and put a real Bugatti in the virtual world of the PlayStation video game franchise,” explained head Bugatti designer Frank Heyl. “Every design characteristic is defined by its function. Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo is the perfect symbiosis of engineering and aesthetics.”
If you’re not familiar with it, the Vision Gran Turismo project allows designers and engineers from real-world car companies to create cars for the virtual world without the limitations created by regulations, budgets, and in some cases, even reality. The results are then uploaded to Gran Turismo 6 on PlayStation 3 , where they can be enjoyed by gamers everywhere. Several other car companies have already made contributions, and it’s always fascinating to see what they come up with. It also functions as a preview of what might be next for some of these companies.
In addition to its digital form, Bugatti will also reveal a full-size show car at the 2015 Frankfurt International Motor Show , at which point it will simultaneously be added to Gran Turismo 6. But until then, let’s take a closer look at the Bugatti Vision GT.
Did you know Bugatti as a company has never generated even the smallest amount of profit for the Volkswagen Auto Group? A 2013 study concluded that, after research and development costs were taken into account, Bugatti lost a staggering €4.6 million (about $5.16 million by today’s exchange rates) for each of the 450 Veyrons it sold. So, why bother with this type of cash black hole?
For the same reason Bugatti decided to join the Vision GT project: because it’s awesome. Contrary to what others might tell you, Bugatti’s aren’t just exclusive hypercars for billionaires, they’re for everyone. As a halo company, its creations are meant to be seen and talked about. They’re supposed to push the boundaries of what we believe cars are capable of and highlight the engineering prowess within the rest of Volkswagen Volkswagen AG. Putting them in video games allows everyone to enjoy them, which is the entire point of Bugatti’s existence.