Xiaomi Vision Gran Turismo might exist only in the digital realm for now, but it represents a massive statement of intent from a company that was only known for smartphones a few years ago. If you have been following the meteoric rise of their automotive division, you know they aren’t here to play safe. After the massive success of the SU7 in China and the record breaking laps of the SU7 Ultra at the Nurburgring, the brand is taking its talents to the world of PlayStation.
This move into the Gran Turismo universe is a rite of passage for serious car manufacturers. For decades, brands like Ferrari, Mercedes, and Bugatti have used this platform to showcase what their engineers could do if physics and budget constraints were tossed out the window. By introducing the Xiaomi Vision Gran Turismo, the company is effectively telling the world that they belong in the same conversation as these legacy giants. It is a brilliant marketing play, but looking at the specs and the design, it is also a very serious engineering exercise.
A design that screams performance
The first thing you notice about this car is just how low and aggressive it sits. It looks like it was carved out of a single block of carbon fiber. The design language takes some cues from the SU7 Ultra but pushes them to the absolute extreme. You have got these massive aerodynamic tunnels that run through the body, designed to channel air and keep the car glued to the track at high speeds.
What is particularly interesting is the cockpit. It feels less like a traditional car interior and more like something out of a sci-fi movie. The driver sits in a low, central position which is classic hypercar territory. Xiaomi has clearly spent a lot of time thinking about how their tech background can influence car design. The lighting signatures are sharp and futuristic, and the overall silhouette is meant to cut through the air with as little resistance as possible. It is a far cry from the sensible electric sedans we see on the road today.
The specs behind the virtual beast
Even though you can only drive this car in Gran Turismo 7, the technical details provided by Xiaomi and Polyphony Digital are fascinating. We are looking at a tri-motor setup that mirrors the philosophy behind their real world performance models. In the game, this translates to over 1,500 horsepower, which is enough to make even the most seasoned sim racers sweat a little.
The power delivery is all wheel drive, which is a necessity when you are dealing with that much torque. In the virtual world, the Xiaomi Vision Gran Turismo is designed to be a cornering monster. Because it is electric, the center of gravity is incredibly low, and the instant torque means you are out of the apex and hitting top speed before you can even blink. It is clear that the developers wanted to capture the “electric kick” that Xiaomi has become known for in its real cars.
Why digital cars matter for real world tech
You might wonder why a tech giant would spend so much time and money developing a car for a video game. The answer lies in data and brand perception. Gran Turismo is known for its hyper-realistic physics engine. When engineers design a car for the game, they are often using the same CAD files and aerodynamic simulations they use for real prototypes.
The Xiaomi Vision Gran Turismo serves as a laboratory. It allows the company to test wild aerodynamic theories and see how they would theoretically perform in a high speed environment. Plus, it reaches a younger, tech savvy demographic that might not be in the market for a car today but will be in five or ten years. It builds a legacy. When these gamers think of high performance electric vehicles, Xiaomi will be one of the names that sticks in their heads right alongside the established European brands.
How to get behind the wheel
The Xiaomi Vision Gran Turismo is available as part of the latest free update for Gran Turismo 7 on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. Players can find it in the Brand Central area of the game or earn it through specific seasonal challenges that Polyphony Digital often runs during these launches.
If you have a VR headset, the experience is reportedly even more intense. Seeing the scale of the aero work from the driver’s seat gives you a real appreciation for the “vision” part of the name. Whether this car eventually inspires a one off physical concept for auto shows remains to be seen, but for now, the digital version is more than enough to keep us busy.
