Quattro GmbH, a subsidiary of AUDI AG, has built a simulator sporting the style of the Audi R8 LMS for the Cologne games convention, Gamescom. In the Audi R8 LMS Racing Simulator, players can experience Gran Turismo 5 as if they were in a real-world race car. The presentation was accompanied by racer Christopher Mies, who became the European Gran Turismo 3 champion in the Audi R8 LMS.
Quattro GmbH built this with a bucket seat like one found in the real GT3 race car. A co-driver can share the experience because a second seat shell is installed in the cockpit. A cage that has been simplified compared to the real one makes it easier for the players to get in and out.
Once Gran Turismo racing starts, the instruments with all relevant game data show on the original racing display. The authentic race steering wheel is connected to the PlayStation 3, as well. When the driver turns the wheel, the impulses are transmitted by steering angle sensors in real time. The paddle shifters in the steering wheel also address the microprocessor and issue shifting commands to the computer. The same applies to the pedals.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERwUj3kgUEQ
As you could tell from the video, the vehicle dynamics effects are the main highlight. Instead of the standard springs and dampers, the suspensions are controlled by pneumatic cylinders, allowing body movements of up to 150 millimeters to be simulated. The physics of driving are felt in the cockpit, and the player has the feeling of actually driving a race. He or she feels all the centrifugal forces while cornering, braking and accelerating.
We built up the base vehicle for the simulator within six weeks, explains Jürgen Zürn, Head of Test and Production of quattro GmbH. For many fans, playing a game that is as advanced as Gran Turismo 5 in our race car will no doubt be a unique experience.
