Chinese tech giant Xiaomi has revealed its own Vision Gran Turismo hypercar, becoming the latest manufacturer to join the long-running virtual performance car programme tied to the hit PlayStation racing franchise.
The futuristic concept marks the 51st Vision Gran Turismo creation developed for the Gran Turismo series, and it may be one of the most radical yet.
Penned as a sleek electric hypercar, Xiaomi’s digital racer showcases a raft of advanced aerodynamic ideas. Chief among them is an Active Wake Control System, which generates airflow at the rear of the vehicle and channels it through micro-perforations around the taillights to push turbulent air further away from the body. The aim is to improve high-speed stability and overall aerodynamic efficiency.
Further enhancing airflow are the dramatic “Accretion Rims” – vortex-style wheel covers incorporating internal turbine fins designed to draw air through the wheels and cool the brakes. Magnets hold the covers stationary while the wheels rotate behind them, reducing drag. Xiaomi claims the hypercar achieves a drag coefficient of 0.29.
Inside, the company describes the cabin concept as a “Sofa Racer”. The dashboard, seats and door trims form a continuous loop around the driver, creating a cocoon-like feel. A slim display sits at the base of the windscreen, complemented by a screen integrated into the race-style steering wheel. Five-point harnesses and a bank of physical toggle switches between the seats add to the motorsport aesthetic.
True to Xiaomi’s technology roots, the concept is packed with sensors capable of monitoring both the environment and the driver, with artificial intelligence able to adapt vehicle settings based on mood and conditions. Steer-by-wire technology also features, underlining the car’s cutting-edge intent.
Although purely virtual for now, Xiaomi even envisages a real-world driving simulator inspired by the concept.
Xiaomi rise in the car world has been swift. Less than five years after announcing plans to build cars, the company now has a presence in one of the world’s most recognisable racing franchises, another sign of China’s accelerating influence in the global auto industry.