The Cyber-Drive of Your Life: The $20,000 VirtualGT Simulator

There are hardcore gamers, and there are those who are willing to drop $20,000 in accessories for their computer-based virtual worlds. For the latter, may we recommend the VirtualGT - perhaps the most realistic (and expensive) driving simulator chair money can buy?

Granted, this is no toy – we’re told those Champ Car and IRL drivers often train on one of these things, and we’re starting to see why. Four vibration transducers are placed throughout the chassis to realistically simulate suspension feedback, while motors in the Momo-sourced steering wheel (with paddle shifters – a sequential shifter is optional) and MasterCraft racing seat aim to do the same thing. A 500-watt speaker is capable of producing engine sounds at 100+ decibels, something close to what you’d hear behind the firewall or ahead of the motor in a real racer. Displays range from a 37-inch plasma screen to an 80-inch LCD projection system.

(Click through for more on the ultimate cyber-driving machine)

Virtual GT systems can be based on either a PC machine or a Playstation 2. PC software appears to be unique to the VGT, and includes tracks such as Spa, Monza, Nürurgring and Barcelona, while offering drives in Ferrari 360 and 575, Porsche GT2 and GT3, the Lister Storm, Moslers and many others. PS2 units simply run Gran Tursimo 4, which offers a vast number of cars and tracks (we’d personally love to see someone use a $20,000 simulator to drive a Fiat 500).

Not enough for you? Well, shell out the right amount of cash, and the VGT folks can actually model and install your own car as a drivable vehicle in the program. That may not mean the world to folks who happen to have a stock Corvette or 911, but for those training for a race series, having your virtual car tuned and calibrated to match the physical one can make all the difference in the world.

If you’re interested, be prepared to sacrifice both space and cash. The VirtualGT is approximately the size of an executive desk, and the $20,000 pricetag does not include delivery and a $2000 set-up charge.

+VirtualGT (via BornRich)