Automotive

Mini hits the virtual racetrack with Clubman Gran Turismo

Mini hits the virtual racetrack with Clubman Gran Turismo
Mini has taken to the virtual racetrack with its Clubman Vision Gran Turismo
Mini has taken to the virtual racetrack with its Clubman Vision Gran Turismo
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The Mini Clubman Vision Gran Turismo will be available as a game update in Gran Turismo 6
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The Mini Clubman Vision Gran Turismo will be available as a game update in Gran Turismo 6
The crosses on the car's headlamps are a throwback to old racing Minis
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The crosses on the car's headlamps are a throwback to old racing Minis
The Clubman's aerodynamics kit gives the car lots of downforce, perfect for carving up the world's virtual racetracks
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The Clubman's aerodynamics kit gives the car lots of downforce, perfect for carving up the world's virtual racetracks
Its 22-inch wheels give the Clubman a strong stance on the track
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Its 22-inch wheels give the Clubman a strong stance on the track
The small inset driving lights are another throwback to racing and rallying Minis past
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The small inset driving lights are another throwback to racing and rallying Minis past
Mini is offering five color schemes for the Vision Gran Turismo
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Mini is offering five color schemes for the Vision Gran Turismo
The Clubman's gearing changes depending on the track its on
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The Clubman's gearing changes depending on the track its on
The Clubman is powered by a 395 hp engine
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The Clubman is powered by a 395 hp engine
The Vision Gran Turismo puts its power down through a six-speed sequential paddleshift gearbox
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The Vision Gran Turismo puts its power down through a six-speed sequential paddleshift gearbox
The sprint to 100 km/h takes just 3.5 seconds, with a top speed of 290 km/h
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The sprint to 100 km/h takes just 3.5 seconds, with a top speed of 290 km/h
The Clubman Vision Gran Turismo's prominent front splitter channels air to the engine and brakes
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The Clubman Vision Gran Turismo's prominent front splitter channels air to the engine and brakes
LED headlamps hide behind the throwback crosses on the headlights
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LED headlamps hide behind the throwback crosses on the headlights
Mini has joined a growing number of manufacturers keen to see what their designers can do unburdened by racing regulations
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Mini has joined a growing number of manufacturers keen to see what their designers can do unburdened by racing regulations
The Clubman's suspension is adjustable at all corners
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The Clubman's suspension is adjustable at all corners
Despite the aggressive racing aerodynamics, the car still carries all of Mini's key styling characteristics
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Despite the aggressive racing aerodynamics, the car still carries all of Mini's key styling characteristics
The Clubman Vision Gran Turismo doesn't look like it will ever see the light of day in the real world
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The Clubman Vision Gran Turismo doesn't look like it will ever see the light of day in the real world
Mini's Vision Gran Turismo is tame when compared to Chevrolet's efforts
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Mini's Vision Gran Turismo is tame when compared to Chevrolet's efforts
The Mini Clubman Vision Gran Turismo
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The Mini Clubman Vision Gran Turismo
Mini has taken to the virtual racetrack with its Clubman Vision Gran Turismo
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Mini has taken to the virtual racetrack with its Clubman Vision Gran Turismo
View gallery - 19 images

Mini has joined the raft of manufacturers determined to win the hearts and minds of gamers through Gran Turismo 6, where, unburdened by the stifling regulations that surround traditional racing series, manufacturers are able to let their imaginations run wild. The Mini Clubman Vision Gran Turismo takes the Clubman's fairly mundane shape and replaces it with a full racing aerodynamics kit, powered by a 395 hp (295 kW) engine.

This powerful racing motor is enough to shoot the virtual Clubman racer from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.5 seconds, on the way to a top speed of 290 km/h (180 mph). This is in part thanks to its permanent all-wheel drive system and fast-changing six-speed sequential paddleshift gearbox.

The Mini Clubman Vision Gran Turismo
The Mini Clubman Vision Gran Turismo

To convey the sense of go-kart like handling on which Mini has built its reputation, the Clubman Vision Gran Turismo is fitted with fully adjustable dampers at all corners, working with the car's aggressive aerodynamics to keep it planted through aggressive cornering. These aerodynamics include an aggressive splitter that sucks the car to the road, all the while directing air to the brakes and engine, while a fully-flat carbon underbody also contributes to the Vision's lightweight, high downforce ethos.

As a throwback to the Minis that tore up the rally stages and racetracks, the Clubman Vision Gran Turismo's LED headlights are covered in X shaped graphics, reminiscent of the tape that racers used to prevent stone chips from shattering their headlamp glass. The inset mini headlamps are also a throwback design feature, keeping up the brand's retro-focused design.

Mini's Vision Gran Turismo is tame when compared to Chevrolet's efforts
Mini's Vision Gran Turismo is tame when compared to Chevrolet's efforts

You may have noticed something different about Mini's design when it's compared to some of the other Vision Gran Turismo concepts. Chevrolet's Chapparal is a laser-powered, 900 hp (671 kW) interpretation of what the racecar of the future will look like, while Inifiniti's Vision GT is a gorgeous example of what can be done when designers aren't restricted by pedestrian regulations.

In comparison, Mini's offering is rooted a bit more in reality. Rather than prove what they can do with a blank piece of paper, the brand's designers seem to have played it safe and stuck to a traditional racing formula for improving their cars.

The Mini Clubman Vision Gran Turismo is available on Gran Turismo 6 as a game update.

Source: BMW

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