Alpine Vision Gran Turismo Concept

The 21st-century Alpine is getting closer and closer. The wait can seem endless for the more eager fans, but at least there's a lot to do in the inter

Alpine Vision Gran Turismo Concept

The 21st-century Alpine is getting closer and closer. The wait can seem endless for the more eager fans, but at least there's a lot to do in the interim! For instance, the Alpine A450 prototype finished on the podium in the LM P2 class at the Le Mans 24 Hours last June and won European endurance racing championships in 2013 and 2014. The Alpine Vision Gran Turismo now marks a new phase in the brand's renaissance as the celebrations for its 60th anniversary begin. The task of developing a new virtual car was put up by Polyphony Digital Inc, the producers of PlayStation®'s Gran Turismo game, in July 2013. Alpine's teams approached the project with the same fervor, zeal, and diligence  they are putting into the next road car." The engineers and designers on this project aimed to produce a vehicle embodying our brand. Alpine's DNA is instantly apparent in its design, and its DualShock®PlayStation controller and performance will not disappoint players when they get behind the wheel. They will discover the same agility that contributed to the mythology of the first Alpine cars, which Jean Rédélé, the company's founder, built. The Alpine Vision Gran Turismo is situated at the intersection of the past, present, and future boundary between road and motorsport vehicles. Additionally, it creates a connection between the real and virtual worlds.  The final product is so beautiful that we couldn't help but make a full-scale model!  Since the news of Alpine's comeback broke, the first real-life rendering of a car was considered appropriate for the Festival Automobile International, which strongly emphasizes automobile aesthetics. With Gran Turismo®6, it will be feasible to both observe and experience our most recent development. The CEO of Société des Automobiles Alpine is Bernard Ollivier.

Before delving more into the Alpine Vision Gran Turismo's design, it might be a good idea to look back more than 15 years, to when Sony hired Kazunori Yamauchi, a Japanese economics student. Kaz was a driven young man whose talent and enthusiasm as a game producer convinced Sony to let him develop his five-year-old dream: the best driving simulator. With the release of Gran Turismo on December 11, 1999, Polyphony Digital capitalized on the PlayStation console's technological innovation and created an instant hit. The first game, which sold over 11 million copies, completely changed the business. The success story continues over fifteen years later. Before the launch of Gran Turismo®6 for PlayStation®3  in December 2014, sales of several versions of Gran Turismo reached over 72 million. With 39 tracks and more than 1,200 of the most significant automobiles in the world, Gran Turismo®6 stands out as a new standard. The franchise's producers' relationships with the most essential automakers are primarily responsible for its success. Car and video game fans  are excitedly anticipating the prototype automobiles  explicitly made for the game's 15th anniversary, which are grouped under the Vision Gran Turismo banner."Are you ready to create a Gran Turismo vehicle?" Even though the Alpine teams were already working hard to prepare the brand's resurgence as the first production car to be unveiled to the public in 2016, this straightforward question threw them into overdrive. Thanks to this alluring blank piece of paper, they had a thrilling chance to experiment with fresh, imaginative ideas without considering certain production-related limitations. When about 15 employees from Polyphony Digital Inc. visited Alpine's studio in July 2013, they were welcomed by an equal number of equally passionate individuals about the car. Kaz, who has long been enamored with Alpine, could not hide his excitement at having the French company in his online store. The presence of a racing brand like Alpine held particular significance for him, as he rarely declines the opportunity to engage in some circuit driving himself.

The concept of a barquette-style, lightweight, and nimble vehicle that was consistent with the brand’s racing program with the A450 quickly came to life. Victor Sfiazof’s idea, which included about 15 designs, won an internal competition: It’s a genuine sports car that combines the passion for cars with enjoyment behind the wheel. Numerous allusions to the past, present, and future are made. The Alpine A450’s participation in the Le Mans 24 Hours gave rise to the concept of a barquette. Nevertheless, the A110 serves as the model for the front end, while the vertical fins at the back are reminiscent of the A210 and A220 and significantly enhance the car’s appearance. As an enthusiast of airplanes, I also wanted to include references to the aviation industry. The air brakes give the back end a stylish, high-tech look. The automobile gradually emerged in sketch form before a digital version was created. The chassis development engineers developed the technical aspects of the car. They discovered a setup that prioritized driving fun, in line with the Alpine essence, after benchmarking and contrasting dozens of different vehicles that were featured in Gran Turismo. A little over a year after the project’s inception, the Alpine Vision Gran Turismo’s final specifications were solidified after Polyphony Digital entered the data into their own software. A new challenge was established as the cherry on top: creating an authentic, tangible replica of this fantastic accomplishment. The Alpine Vision Gran Turismo’s risqué, unconventional lines appeal to all ages, and the result of the model-makers’ labors continues to evoke a unique set of feelings. I used to like concept automobiles as a kid. Like presents, they hinted at a promising future. I still view them that way. Today’s automakers can do things I never would have thought possible because of the technologies they employ. It is my goal that this research will help to transform our lives. Alpine’s participation in the Vision Gran Turismo project makes me really proud. I’ve always had a lot of affinity for the brand, and I’ve particularly valued the caliber of communication between our teams. This strong bond was made possible by our shared interest. The result of a strong collective passion is the Alpine that is currently accessible to Gran Turismo players: Kazunori Yamauchi, Senior Vice President of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. and President of Polyphony Digital Inc. In contrast to their typical designs, the brief that was given to the designers had one particular requirement, even if it was, well, brief. Since the back end and cockpit are the most popular views in motorsport video games, they have to be the concept car’s main focal points. The front of the vehicle, which looks a lot like the A110, is where we start our tour. In a further throwback to the 1960s, the cross-shaped LED lights evoke the black tape used to shield the additional lights installed on the Berlinette racing cars, while a central crease accentuated the sloping V-shaped bonnet. These historical allusions combine perfectly with an unquestionably contemporary aerodynamic package that has a splitter intended to direct airflow down the sides of the body. Additionally, it offers a view of the suspension wishbones. The orange struts are situated horizontally at the top of the chassis and are visible through openings in the bonnet.

The car’s profile evokes other recollections. Massive air intakes stress the body’s narrow shape and channel the flow that exits behind the front wheels. The long lateral rear fins add to the overall harmony by evoking the A210s and A220s, which were so impressive at Le Mans that they won the Efficiency Index class of the 24-hour race in 1966. Just the wheels speak about the merging of the past and current. The rims’ design, which was influenced by those seen on A110s, is open enough to show off the striking brake callipers, which are either blue or orange depending on the model. The Alpine Vision Gran Turismo’s open cockpit adds even more allure to the vehicle. Given that most courses, including Le Mans, run in a clockwise direction, sports prototype cars typically have the driver seated on the right. Both the roll cage and the left-hand engine air intake duct are elegantly incorporated. Access is made easier with a butterfly door, which allows the driver to slide on board. You can see a bit more of the work that has been done when it opens. The leather seat’s visible stitching, which includes blue thread for a contemporary touch, is reminiscent of the well-known cross design. The nearly rectangular steering wheel, similar to the prototypes used in endurance racing, was topped with digital instruments. A high-definition camera has taken the place of the rearview mirrors, which are essential in fast-paced races. The Alpine Vision Gran Turismo’s rear-end design is unquestionably its best feature. A lower wing connects the wheel arches to the stern, and the flat bottom that runs underneath the automobile ends in an arched shape. The double wishbone suspension is visible through the bodywork, similar to that at the front. More aerodynamic downforce is produced via a second, exquisitely integrated wing installation. When braking, the Alpine Vision Gran Turismo’s most remarkable feature is revealed. The hydraulically operated air brakes, which are integrated into the tail profile, can be quickly engaged while also exposing the brake lights! Players can select from three custom colors in Gran Turismo: First, white and blue: the full-scale model of the car likewise uses this tasteful, subtle livery color scheme. The Alpine A450, a two-time European Endurance Champion, served as the inspiration for the second orange and blue. Third, Matt Black: in the style of a true gamer.

The design had to help make the machine feel lighter and give the driver the sense that they were one with it. The Alpine Vision Gran Turismo combines the brand’s timeless characteristics of agility and elegance, borne out of efficiency and inventiveness. We even used the exercise to covertly hide several elements that are directly related to the upcoming Alpine, which will be released in 2016, but I can’t reveal any more. Alpine’s Design Director is Antony Villain. Despite being a virtual machine, the Alpine Vision Gran Turismo had a responsibility to emulate the handling and driving qualities of its illustrious forebears. The development process is explained by Terry Baillon, a simulation and chassis development engineer for the upcoming road-going vehicle. We established performance and handling goals for the Alpine Vision Gran Turismo from the beginning. After that, we translated them into technological features in an effort to give players driving dynamics that were as similar to our original concept as possible, exactly like we would have for a real car. The Alpine A450 race car and the Berlinette of the twenty-first century are connected by this virtual concept car. It was crucial to give this car the genuine Alpine genes to define it. It performs similarly to our upcoming sports vehicle and the LM P2 endurance racing prototype. While maintaining elements unique to the prototypes that race at Le Mans, a close examination may reveal some of the handling traits of our future road-going model. I would describe it as a feeling of lightness. The car’s lightweight design served as our foundation. Looking past the numbers, however, we concentrated and worked hard on the emotions they could evoke. An absolute Alpine, the Alpine Vision Gran Turismo feels exciting, responsive, and nimble. The Alpine Vision Gran Turismo was developed like a road automobile. We used our own program to simulate it from the start of its development. We emailed Polyphony Digital all of our data as soon as the automobile was prepared. The information needed to specify the car’s intended dynamics and the feelings we wanted the driver to experience. The gaming experts then included our Alpine’s features into Gran Turismo. Then the testing could start. Running with cars that we refer to as test mules is a similar process to how we would create a road automobile. In this case, we chalked up the kilometers in front of a screen to get a sense of and improve the car’s handling and performance. Before the final version was submitted, this was the stage of fine-tuning.

Working this manner has real benefits. This kind of cooperation has a promising future. More advancements will be feasible if we correlate the data we have from Gran Turismo and the appropriate vehicle. Our goal is to provide a car with dynamics that are consistent with those we initially established. We can even keep working on the car and compare it to other models to evaluate where we stand if everything is accurately modeled! I’ve played for hours. Gran Turismo is the most popular and well-reviewed game, and in my opinion, it provides the best simulation. The only thing I regret is that I don’t have enough time to keep accruing laps. It would be amazing to see the automobile in person because it is so gorgeous! Alpine accepted what was perceived as little more than a joke, and after the digital version was finished, focus shifted to creating an actual Alpine Vision Gran Turismo. The concept car, which was previously only virtual, was given shape with a double composite shell. Considerable effort was also put into integrating the various systems, including the suspension, since the bodywork also displays the technological components underneath. Similarly, upholsterers were engaged to create a bucket seat with visible stitching because the cockpit’s design required special attention. With nothing in the line of sight, the Alpine Vision Gran Turismo’s full-scale version instantly dazzles with its odd proportions and flawless visibility from behind the wheel. At the 2015 Festival Automobile International in Paris, France, the Alpine Vision Gran Turismo will make its debut. Several special prizes, including one for Most Beautiful Car of the Year, have been given out for 30 years by this annual assembly of professionals in the domains of beauty and automotive excellence. The car will be on exhibit at the Festival following its unveiling at the Hôtel des Invalides in the French capital on the evening of the gala. Following that, Alpine’s 60th anniversary festivities will begin in earnest when it is displayed at the 2015 Rétromobile Show at the Porte de Versailles in Paris. In March 2015, a free update of Gran Turismo®6 for PlayStation®3 will include the Alpine Vision Gran Turismo. On the My Home screen, players will choose Vision GT to learn more about the vehicle. You can view your purchase in full-screen mode with a thorough description after selecting the body color. Before your first race, you will also be able to watch sketches and films featuring the Alpine Vision Gran Turismo.