Xiaomi debuts Vision Gran Turismo concept car

Xiaomi has unveiled its Vision Gran Turismo concept car at MWC Barcelona, becoming the first Chinese company to create a design for the PlayStation racing game series.

The two-door supercar concept will be available for PlayStation 5 players to experience in Gran Turismo 7, marking a significant milestone for the Chinese technology company’s automotive ambitions.

The collaboration emerged following a visit by Kazunori Yamauchi, the producer of Gran Turismo, who experienced a Xiaomi car last June. Following that visit, the SU7 Ultra became the first mass-produced Chinese brand vehicle to join the Gran Turismo 7 game series.

Design philosophy emphasises aerodynamic efficiency

The Vision Gran Turismo concept represents a significant design exercise for Xiaomi Auto, showcasing the company’s approach to aerodynamic performance without additional components.

“Our philosophy is to achieve aerodynamic goals without relying on additional components,” says Li Tianyuan, Xiaomi’s chief designer. “This philosophy requires us to adhere to the principle of ‘less is more,’ meaning that almost every design element must possess aerodynamic functionality.”

The concept incorporates distinctive design elements including a front splitter fascia, T-shaped light signature, and scissor doors. The overall design evokes a semi-open wheeler configuration with a centre fin and an exaggerated diffuser that incorporates Xiaomi’s signature wraparound rear light signature.

Inside, the Vision Gran Turismo concept features a butterfly-shaped steering wheel, panoramic display screen, and what Xiaomi describes as the “Sofa Racer” concept with a cocoon-like cabin design. The interior includes Xiaomi Pulse, an intelligent feature that interacts with the driver through light and sound, connected to the Human x Car x Home smart ecosystem.

Strategic move signals expansion ambitions

Industry observers view the Vision Gran Turismo concept debut as a key component of Xiaomi Auto’s strategy to penetrate the global high-performance car market and advance European expansion plans. The gaming integration provides Xiaomi with a platform to showcase its automotive design capabilities to a global audience.

Lei Jun, chief executive of Xiaomi, has previously announced that Xiaomi Auto plans to launch overseas operations in 2027. Reports indicate that in late 2025, Xiaomi Group’s international division established an overseas sales preparation team, actively recruiting for positions including market research, project management, and electric vehicle after-sales engineers.

The company’s expansion strategy extends beyond automotive manufacturing. Last month, Lei Jun announced plans to increase Xiaomi’s retail presence in the UK market to 150 stores within four years, part of a broader international strategy to open 10,000 Xiaomi Home stores overseas within five years.