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McLaren didn’t allow the constraints of the virtual world to prevent them to bring the Ultimate Vision Gran Turismo to reality.

Some of the more desirable and most mind-blowing vehicles are not drivable in the real world. After all, these vehicles belong to the virtual world of video games, such as the Gran Turismo series. Thanks to video racing games, drivers have the opportunity to “drive” them over and over again.

Interestingly, carmakers themselves work with game developers to insert their cars into the real world. Some of these cars have their real-world counterpart, as game developers based them on actual vehicles, with permission from carmakers. Thus, it’s common to see sports cars, supercars and hypercars in racing video games.

While it’s quite easy to insert an actual car into a video game, doing the opposite could be difficult. This is true especially when the vehicle design is quite outlandish, such as the McLaren Ultimate Vision Gran Turismo car.

Nevertheless, McLaren didn’t allow the constraints of the virtual world to prevent them to bring the Ultimate Vision Gran Turismo to reality. In fact, the virtual car is now a real-world hypercar – the new McLaren Solus GT. Here’s how McLaren brought this new hypercar from a video game to the real world.

Several years ago, famous game creator Kazunori Yamauchi called for carmaker to design ‘visionary GT cars’ that would feature in a then-upcoming 2017 title of the Gran Turismo for PlayStation 4 -- the Gran Turismo Sport. Yamauchi also had a hand in developing the McLaren Ultimate Vision Gran Turismo, which became available as one of the three available McLaren cars in the game, along with the 650s Coupe and 650S GT3.

McLaren made it clear that the Ultimate Vision Gran Turismo was not a prototype for any future McLaren model. However, the virtual racer does showcase the kind of car that the British carmaker could produce beyond 2030. Design-wise, the McLaren Ultimate Vision Gran Turismo features a teardrop cabin and extensive glazing. The cabin has the driver positioned forward and centrally in the chassis.

Since McLaren designed the Ultimate Vision Gran Turismo for the virtual world, unburdened by the constraints common with production cars. Thanks to this, McLaren was able to push the boundaries of its design beyond realities, while staying true to inherent principles.

Five years since then, McLaren is bringing the Ultimate Vision Gran Turismo to the real world. It isn’t a vision anymore, but an actual car that a real person can drive – the McLaren Solus GT.

RELATED: McLaren Solus GT Is The Ultimate Track Weapon, Born From A Video Game

Just like every McLaren since the 1980s, the Solus GT started off with a carbon-fiber monocoque as the base. The carmaker employed a carbon ‘pre-preg’ process to create this monocoque, ensuring higher structural strength and a high uniformity of finish. McLaren also crafted the car’s front and rear chassis structures from carbon fiber.

Aside from carbon fiber parts, McLaren also employs 3D-printed titanium components for the halo cockpit protection structure and roll hoop. The use of carbon fiber and titanium for structural elements allowed McLaren to not just reduce weight, but also create a tailored design.

For the first time in a McLaren, the engine and the gearbox are part of the chassis. The carmaker picked by a 5.2-liter V10 engine that is entirely gear-driven, featuring no chains or belts for camshaft or ancillary systems. McLaren tuned this engine to deliver around 828 hp of max output and 479 lb-ft of peak torque.

According to the carmaker, Solus GT offers the fastest lap times of any McLaren (except single-seater racers) while delivering a driving experience close to that of a Formula 1 car.

McLaren ensured that the striking exterior design of the Solus GT stays faithful to its virtual inspiration. Honed by Computational Fluid Dynamics and wind-tunnel aerodynamic research, Solus GT springs to life bearing the carmaker’s ‘everything for a reason’ design ethos.

Exterior elements include a cockpit canopy (above the centrally positioned seat) that slides forward through a shallow arc to allow access. This is a huge departure from the signature dihedral doors of other McLaren cars, with the entry similar to that of a jet fighter plane.

Other exterior elements include a large front splitter, a full rear diffuser, a roll hoop and cover, as well as various race car-inspired pods. Interestingly, while the McLaren Solus GT weighs less than 2,200 lbs, its aerodynamic elements are able to produce greater amount of downforce at 2,645 lbs. This is mainly thanks to a twin-element, fixed rear wing.

RELATED: McLaren Reveals Track-Only Senna GTR With Huge Downforce And Even More Power

Since the interior of the Solus GT focuses on the driver, McLaren fixed its seating position motorsport-style to the person behind the wheel. Its pedal box is adjustable while the steering wheel takes its inspiration from Formula 1, with integrated dash display and essential controls. The cockpit offers a perfectly symmetrical 180-degree line, with wheel pods aiding the driver in positioning the car on a track.

This new racer is a special commission for just 25 customers, and McLaren has already sold out all examples of the single-seat, closed-cockpit track car. Each Solus GT customer can avail of a full ‘racing driver experience’ that includes a driving seat molded to the driver’s body shape; an FIA-homologated race suit, helmet and HANS device; as well as radio-enabled ear inserts.

Julybien Atadero writes from the island of Cebu covering various automotive topics including new sports cars, classic muscles, pickup trucks and SUVs. While I like peace and quiet, I love playing with my kid. When I have nothing else to do, I watch documentaries and animations.