At some point, each vehicle starts out as a fictional concept. In the past, the process started with paper and pencil. Today, computers can generate fictional concepts with incredible realism, and over the last few years we’ve seen many automakers create digital vehicles for video games such as Gran Turismo. However, the cars shown here are not for games. In fact, it doesn’t even have an official name.
Mercedes-Benz simply calls it a virtual showcar, and as the name suggests, it exists only in the digital world. This is the automaker’s first all-virtual car, created as part of a digital trifecta surrounding the 2022 League of Legends World Championship. It also ties in with the ongoing partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Riot Games, the company behind the popular League of Legends game series.
At this time, Gran Turismo fans may be scratching their heads about this being the first virtual show car. Let’s not forget, there is a digitally driven Mercedes-AMG Vision Gran Turismo concept created almost 10 years ago Gran Turismo 6. However, Mercedes is actually building a real-world version of the vehicle, whereas there are no such plans for a digital showcar.
It can because showcars don’t have traditional wheels. A digital representation of the wheel in the corner flowing into the body, with a single bubble in the middle for the passenger. Mercedes-Benz Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener called it a merger of “real automotive design and animated design,” explaining that without boundaries in virtual space, boundaries can be pushed.
The partnership with Mercedes-Benz and Riot Games is not relegated to this odd concept. Starting November 3 at the Worlds Finals in San Francisco, design elements from League of Legends will be featured on the Mercedes EQS digital vehicle display. This will eventually transition to an in-car gaming experience available through Merc’s digital MBUX system, which is accessible worldwide.
Meanwhile, the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is tasked with transporting the real-world Summoner’s Cup trophy across the country, to be awarded at the end of the League of Legends Championship in early November.
