Mercedes-Benz has released images of its latest car – the AMG Gran Turismo. The only thing is, it doesn’t really exist.

The phantom 557bhp sports car, which delivers up to 590lbs/ft of imaginary torque, only exists in digital form – having been designed for the forthcoming Gran Turismo 6 video game on the PlayStation 3.

In a sentence which is likely to confuse even the most dedicated follower of automotive development, Gorden Wagener, Daimler AG’s vice president of design, said: "The design of this concept car reflects to extreme effect the perfect symbiosis between emotional, sensuous contours and intelligently presented high tech."

Here at startrescue.co.uk we think it means that the car looks good – and we’d have to agree. Among the ostentatious design elements are a matrix of LEDs over an extra-large front grille and a dazzling, flowing chromium body.

Of course, high end sports cars (as well as production vehicles) have made it into video games before – but only after they’ve been built and purchased by their respective target audiences in high numbers. This Gran Turismo version of the AMG currently only exists in ones and zeroes.

Could high profile video games be a new and exciting way of testing the water for models in development? If a particular racing video game became globally loved and featured a popular virtual prototype – would it ever be manufactured?

It’s a question that car makers might well ask, since product placement in video games shows no sign of abating, and can have a video gamer test driving a car before they even know they like it.

However, manufacturers might be careful that the video game version isn’t too difficult to reproduce in real life, should it ever get that far.

And what other facet of the automotive world could feature in video games?

Certainly, if digital car owners ever start looking for a virtual vehicle recovery cover, startrescue.co.uk will be first to step up to the challenge…