Renault has finally unveiled the Alpine Vision Gran Turismo video game racer, which is both a gift to the Alpine brand for its 60th anniversary and to Gran Turismo 6 fans. The car also exists as a full-scale model, which has debuted at the Festival Automobile International in Paris on January 27.

Alpine’s virtual racer is a “barquettte-type” car which features design cues references to the past, present and even future. The idea of a “barquette” was inspired by the Alpine A450’s involvement in the Le Mans 24 Hours.

The front end of the car takes its inspiration from the A110, while the vertical fins at the rear recall the A210 and A220. The sloping V-shaped bonnet is enhanced by a central crease and the cross-shaped LED lights recall the black tape that was used in the 1960s to protect the additional lights fitted to the Berlinette rally cars.

The modern aerodynamic package includes a splitter designed to channel airflow along the body sides, large lateral air intakes and long lateral rear fins. The design of the rims is inspired by those fitted to the A110, with the car also incorporates cues from the world of aviation, such as the air brakes. The open cockpit reveals a right-hand drive driving position, a design typical of sport-prototype cars.

Technically, the Alpine Vision Gran Turismo is powered by a 4.5-liter V8 mounted in a mid-rear position which produces 450hp at 6,500rpm and 580Nm (428lb-ft) of torque at 2,000 rpm. Mated to a 7-speed sequential gearbox, the engine allows the rear-wheel drive car to reach a top speed of 320 km/h (199 mph).

Interestingly, Alpine’s design director Antony Villain says the Vision Gran Turismo features several subtly concealed details that are directly inspired by the future Alpine production car which will arrive in 2016. Obviously, he doesn’t say which are those details.

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