Even before 2020, the advent of platforms like Twitch and the increasing scope of titles like iRacing, Assetto Corsa and Project Cars meant that sim racing was a bigger and more serious deal than it ever had been. With global motorsport having suffered enormous disruption to its schedule in 2020, online competition has only become more prominent; Supercars in Australia did a full championship (very good it was, too), Lamborghini launched its own one-make series and there was of course virtual Grands Prix.
All of which means the simulators that gamers race on have become much more important. Keen to capitalise on a market that's grown far faster than expected, Aston Martin has revealed this the AMR-C01, its first simulator. Designed with Darren Turner's Curv Racing Simulators, it is promising "a fully immersive driving experience for the home user."
Built on a carbon fibre monocoque, the C01 is hand-assembled and its driving position is said to mimic that found in the Valkyrie. Which might be a bit odd when racing Minis at Goodwood. Interestingly, the Aston sim is built around Assetto Corsa software; the claim is that the C01 will "transport its users into the thrilling virtual racing world." Or, as it's also known, "Friday afternoons when working from home."
That said, the Aston Martin sim clearly isn't your typical wheel-and-pedals set up. When Darren Turner calls it "the most beautiful home simulator available" and Marek Reichmann says it's "a sculptural work of art in its own right", this clearly isn't the sort of device meant for your average YouTuber.
That's for the best because Curv will build just 150 examples of the AMR-C01 and they cost from £57,500 plus tax. That's an awful lot of Twitch donations. Or a V12 Vantage. But for those used to the finer things in life, the Aston Martin simulator will surely make a lovely addition to the games room. Or one of the games rooms, at least. Get your order in early and it should be here by the end of the year, too - don't pretend like you can think of anything better to do over the festive period.
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