Mercedes-Benz blends game and reality in Gran Turismo concept (pictures)

LOS ANGELES -- Mercedes-Benz showed incredible dedication to the upcoming Gran Turismo 6 video game, building a full-scale concept car to mirror its virtual counterpart. Called the AMG Vision Gran Turismo, the name refers to Mercedes-Benz's performance division, its general term for its concept cars, and the popular racing game.

The grille echoes that in the recent A-class concept unveiled at the 2011 New York auto show. It also borrows styling from the famous 300SL Gullwing, a main source of inspiration for this concept. But in a futuristic twist, LEDs cover the grille, and can be made to show different light patterns.

Mercedes-Benz claims that the AMG Vision concept uses its latest AMG V-8 engine, giving it 577 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. Being a concept car, we won't get to test the truth of that claim, but those specs should carry over into the video game version.

The oversize wheels have an extraordinary look, not to mention extraordinarily thin rubber.

Racing-style releases mark the back corners of the hood, and include LED accent lights, presumably so the pit crew can find them during 24-hour endurance races.

Instead of side mirrors, the AMG Vision uses cameras, a cue seen on many concept cars over the last decade.

There is no rear window, and the rear spoiler appears to adjust based on vehicle speed.

There is a huge amount of overhang under the rear of the car, accentuated by the tapered styling. Mercedes-Benz notes there are eight exhaust tips integrated into the rear of the car.

The fuel filler echoes the look of the hood releases, and sits just behind the cabin.

For the display, Mercedes-Benz put a racing helmet and firesuit-clad mannequin in the driver's seat. Or was it Mercedes-Benz's version of the Stig?

A translucent panel in on the steering-wheel column would presumably show relevant driving data, but the static display here has a graphic of the Nürburgring Südschleife.