20 pictures that’ll make you wish the Renault Alpine Vision Gran Turismo was real [Gallery]

Sixty years ago Jean Rédélé brought Alpine, his vision for a range of rear-engined sports cars and racers, to life. This week Renault, which bought the brand in 1973, announced the latest step in its bid to create an Alpine for the 21st Century.

It’s a concept, but unlike most concepts you can try it out. Well, as long as you have a PlayStation and a copy of Gran Turismo 6 that is.

The Alpine Vision Gran Turismo is the result of challenge laid down to the Alpine team by Polyphony Digital Inc, the development house behind the game.

According to Alpine CEO Bernard Ollivier, “the designers and engineers involved in this project were tasked with creating a car that expresses the spirit of our brand. Alpine’s genes are immediately visible in its styling, while its performance won’t disappoint either when players get behind the wheel”.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the car is the hydraulically-activated airbrakes, which lie in profile on the tailfin and light up when activated.

Here’s hoping Renault doesn’t chuck out to many details from this virtual car, which will be made available as part of a free update of Gran Turismo 6 for PlayStation 3 in March, when it comes to build the next real Alpine.