Mercedes-Benz AMG unveiled a life-size replica of its AMG Vision Gran Turismo concept at the 2013 LA Auto Show. The AMG wizards created the car as a virtual-only racer for the new Gran Turismo 6 video game.
Although we knew it was only a plastic model of the car, we were in awe of its beauty and hoped and prayed that someone would build the thing, as we desperately wanted to drive it.
Shockingly, our prayers have been answered – but not by Mercedes AMG. Instead, a small coachbuilder in Florida will build five of the cars with one already spoken for. Found on James Edition, the real-life Vision will be based on the 2014 SLS AMG GT but with a body made completely from carbon fiber, which, apparently, will decrease the weight of the package by 200 pounds.
In Gran Turismo, the AMG Vision is powered by a twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 that makes 577 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. The SLS GT – and now the real-life Vision – will be powered instead by a 6.3-liter that makes 583 hp and 479 lb-ft. Yes, it might be slightly less powerful than the dour AMG men originally planned. From an auditory standpoint, however, it’s a huge upgrade. The SLS’ V8 sounds like someone is trying to summon the devil with dynamite. It’s rather splendid.
Although Mercedes never said how fast the AMG Vision would go 0-60, the SLS GT will do it in 3.7 seconds. With a lighter weight body, it should do it a smidge faster.
What will the in-the-flesh AMG Vision cost you? $1.5 million. But, for that, you get wheels that are “custom forged by world famous wheel designer ADV.1 The interior will be sightly [sic] modified to the customers color request. The car will have a chrome paint job and with have a retractable rear spoiler and custom exhaust.”
I know $1.5 million feels like a lot of money for a chromed-out AMG with a new body bolted on. Think about it this way, though. If you get one of the five AMG Visions, you’ll finally be able to get that racecar bed you’ve always wanted because your car will be so hot that women will sleep with you regardless of your nerdy bedroom furniture.
If that’s not worth $1.5 million, I don’t know what is.
